Antrim Football Thread

Milltown Row2 · February 05, 2025, 06:03:38 PM

Quote from: country bumpkin on February 05, 2025, 03:06:11 PMJamie G was out for a while but had recovered by the end of the season.
Was in the gym all winter but never received any invitation by the county.....

By the end of the county season or club season?

BigGreenField · February 06, 2025, 08:25:30 AM

Is the league format the same as last year with semi finals/finals?

Milltown Row2 · February 06, 2025, 08:42:23 AM

Quote from: BigGreenField on February 06, 2025, 08:25:30 AMIs the league format the same as last year with semi finals/finals?

And the dates have been in place for them also. So it shouldn't be a surprise, nor was it a surprise last year, that if teams are wanting to win the league they'll have to 'show' up

NatSoSaff · February 06, 2025, 09:36:06 AM

Have any of the refs on here (or people involved in clubs) had any exposure to the new rules yet? Has the Ulster club league started? I would have thought most teams would be playing some form of games now with the league starting shortly. I'd be interested to hear and see how the games go from the referee and the players perspective! Poor man in the middle on his own will be a far cry from the 7+ officials we're seeing in the national league each week.

thegladiator · February 06, 2025, 10:35:21 AM

2 friendly games, both have went well. The refs we have had have both been good and have explained some of their decisions based on the new rules to players during the game. Think the rules will benefit the refs in not getting as much back chat and abuse from sidelines. Still the odd bit of getting used to giving the ball back to the opposing team, but that should get better with practice. I like The solo and go and teams with pace could really benefit from it plus it reduces "a bit of afters" when a foul is given. Players have to "switch on" immediately. Keeping 3 up will be difficult for the refs but teams will be "helpful" in calling out their opposition on it. It has happened a few times and the ref has called it correctly when doing the count. The longer kick out works well and teams will have a better play book on them now. I have never liked the mark rule, but it is what it is. Overall, it has been good so far ,but will just take a bit of getting used to.

Sportacus · February 06, 2025, 01:40:40 PM

Quote from: thegladiator on February 06, 2025, 10:35:21 AM2 friendly games, both have went well. The refs we have had have both been good and have explained some of their decisions based on the new rules to players during the game. Think the rules will benefit the refs in not getting as much back chat and abuse from sidelines. Still the odd bit of getting used to giving the ball back to the opposing team, but that should get better with practice. I like The solo and go and teams with pace could really benefit from it plus it reduces "a bit of afters" when a foul is given. Players have to "switch on" immediately. Keeping 3 up will be difficult for the refs but teams will be "helpful" in calling out their opposition on it. It has happened a few times and the ref has called it correctly when doing the count. The longer kick out works well and teams will have a better play book on them now. I have never liked the mark rule, but it is what it is. Overall, it has been good so far ,but will just take a bit of getting used to.

Great point.

Milltown Row2 · February 06, 2025, 01:45:40 PM

Quote from: Sportacus on February 06, 2025, 01:40:40 PM
Quote from: thegladiator on February 06, 2025, 10:35:21 AM2 friendly games, both have went well. The refs we have had have both been good and have explained some of their decisions based on the new rules to players during the game. Think the rules will benefit the refs in not getting as much back chat and abuse from sidelines. Still the odd bit of getting used to giving the ball back to the opposing team, but that should get better with practice. I like The solo and go and teams with pace could really benefit from it plus it reduces "a bit of afters" when a foul is given. Players have to "switch on" immediately. Keeping 3 up will be difficult for the refs but teams will be "helpful" in calling out their opposition on it. It has happened a few times and the ref has called it correctly when doing the count. The longer kick out works well and teams will have a better play book on them now. I have never liked the mark rule, but it is what it is. Overall, it has been good so far ,but will just take a bit of getting used to.
Great point.

Yeah that does work and a lot of refs normally will let people play a quick free back in the day.. I'm not sure I can be bothered all the time checking behind me every time I hear an opposition player/manager/supporter shouting about 3v3 rule, We've plenty to contain with in front and on the ball plus any other carry on's that happen

Most will call it just to see if it works and the ref believes him, as what has to happen is he looks round then starts counting and seeing where they are standing, all the while the game carries on..

Sure we'll see how it goes

statto · February 06, 2025, 01:59:53 PM

Quote from: NatSoSaff on February 06, 2025, 09:36:06 AMHave any of the refs on here (or people involved in clubs) had any exposure to the new rules yet? Has the Ulster club league started? I would have thought most teams would be playing some form of games now with the league starting shortly. I'd be interested to hear and see how the games go from the referee and the players perspective! Poor man in the middle on his own will be a far cry from the 7+ officials we're seeing in the national league each week.

Ulster league starts at weekend.

Take the Mark · February 06, 2025, 03:38:32 PM

This may well be the first time in many many years where the Ulster League is useful for something. Gives teams a chance to play under the rules, no seminars or powerpoint presentations are as useful as that.

SaffronSports · February 06, 2025, 11:55:40 PM

Corrigan or nowhere. Great to see the players and management standing up for themselves. Hope they stand by it.

Cnoc Bán · February 07, 2025, 08:49:34 AM

Yes, I agree.

Take a stand and don't let them think they can walk over us, just because we aren't perceived as being one of the big name counties.

ck · February 07, 2025, 10:19:35 AM

In fairness to Ulster Council they want to let as many people watch the game as possible, that has always been their priority and conveniently that will see their income increase also.

That all said, if Antrim were pulled out of the hat first and want the game at home (despite the venue being inadequate) then that's where it should be. The Casement issue is not the fault of Antrim and their home venue is their home venue so that's where it should be played!

InnocentByStander · February 07, 2025, 10:47:48 AM

Realistically they would be better pulling out of the game.

Would save them from the embarrassment.

EOC1923 · February 07, 2025, 11:52:32 AM

Fair play to the players, the venue situation is not their fault,
Meanwhile highly paid people still within Antrim along with the Ulster GAA officials who have constantly let us down over Casement sit quietly in the background with Gordon Lyons now taking the heat for them.

Spiderlegs · February 07, 2025, 12:13:53 PM

I'm Armagh but totally understand the Antrim managers/players stance and would back them on it given their reasons.

What would Antrim football have season ticket wise? Couldn't be much.
Typically season ticket holders get priority, and if that were to happen it becomes a massive outnumbering of Armagh fans on the day ...at an Antrim home venue!!

Or would Antrim be guaranteed half the tickets?

Will be fun watching the Ulster Council and GAA squirm around on this one.