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Serious amount of work has gone into this so don't let me down with your replies.
Division 2 looks like it'll be entertaining this year - maybe better than division 1.
I'm not going to give you winners and losers. I'm going to give you my prediction for points n all.
Here goes (sigh)

1. Ballygalget                   - 35 points
2. Cloughmills                  - 26 points
3. Sarsfields                    - 26 points
4. Carey                          - 25 points
5. Creggan                      - 22 points
6. Armoy                       - 13 points
7. Gort na M                   - 11 points
8. Glenariffe                  - 10 points
9. Cushendun                - 9 points
10. St Pauls                      - 5 points

f**k i have too much free time!!
Would Paddy Power give you a price on this one??


All seeing eye glenarriffe have got over half of ur predicted points total in the first 3 games!

wtf u are right!!!
Glenariffe have got their act together!! They're putting me to shame.
I'm claiming a moral victory based on the fact that I got Cushendun and St Pauls right so far.
Sarsfields and Carey have to be the two biggest disappointments to date though.
Gort are definitely worth the watching. They took Sars scalp and in their other two games they only lost by 1 and 3 points respectively.
Early days yet though WTF - Paddy Power could be shitting them yet!!

Serious amount of work has gone into this so don't let me down with your replies.
Division 2 looks like it'll be entertaining this year - maybe better than division 1.
I'm not going to give you winners and losers. I'm going to give you my prediction for points n all.
Here goes (sigh)

1. Ballygalget                   - 35 points
2. Cloughmills                  - 26 points
3. Sarsfields                    - 26 points
4. Carey                          - 25 points
5. Creggan                      - 22 points
6. Armoy                       - 13 points
7. Gort na M                   - 11 points
8. Glenariffe                  - 10 points
9. Cushendun                - 9 points
10. St Pauls                      - 5 points

f**k i have too much free time!!
Would Paddy Power give you a price on this one??

BTD; DR and Hurlingstick are right.
2015 Antrim are in a better place than previous yrs. It'll be a tough ol match. I'd fancy us to pull away though - and the same against Offally

Waterford away will be tougher than anything we have had this year. They destroyed Laois on sat night. They scored at ease against them.

As NAH says a single digit defeat would be a good result at this stage. If we can get away from the tankings against the top teams it will help us close the gap a lot quicker.

When players confidences take a battering it can work it way though a whole team.

The relentless hammering's we have taken over the years, I would suggest have done considerable damage, not just to the players, but supporters, back room staff and county administrators as well.  All in all, nobody really expects us to win, we merely fulfil the fixture and make up the numbers.  GAA HQ and national/local media all so discard us.    Should such hammerings not effect the confidence levels of each and every player on a team and subs, I would question should they be there in the first place???  Heavy defeats in some respects would be a motivator to some, but others just cannot pick themselves up, dust themselves down and aspire or endeavour to improve. Persistent defeats are sure to have a demoralising impact, thats fact! 

But it is what we have all come to expect over the years.  Despite all the talk about coaching, underage structures, physicality, speed, tackling, conditioning, use of space,  out the 70 minutes, we have not even begun to address the psychology deficit? 

I have been admonished for my radical and open views many times by siblings, club mates and friends, but I would love to see Antrim compete, beat and live with the big boys, that goes for football as well.    Remember, this has been happening for decades, not just this past few years under Ryan. Certainly the lads have improved, recent results/performances bear testament to that.    Just mindful of psychological impact the perennial defeats decade upon decade have had? 

Ive been lucky like others here to see antrim compete at the highest level in the all ireland. Way back to 87 against KK in dundalk (granted i was very wee then! lol) but i was there in 89 v Offaly and Tipp, 90 v Cork, 91 agianst KK etc etc. We had the same teams then as we do now in fact we have more kids now playing hurling now that we did back then.

Then came the hammerings in 93 & 94 against KK and Limerick where shipped 6-41 and scored 1-20 in the 2 games. People in the game started to moan about a one side semi final for one team. Down won it in 95 and in 96 we had a decent game v Limerick and lost by 8/9 points. Down then won in 97 and got beat heavy by Tipp in the first ever quarter finals.

Since then we havent come close.

We just didnt get 'crap' over night at county level. This was a stage where my own club and the Dall were at their peaks had some outstanding players who would walk onto most teams. There was ample players to pick from.

The support for the county had declined big time for hurling and football and club players sick of hammering at minor and U21 all decided not to keep it on at county level.

It also doesnt help when the Ulster council has zero interest in hurling whatsoever. They pay it lip service, nothing more. Its football in Ulster and thats it. who cares about hurling when we have this great championship with good teams who bring great gates, tv money, sponsorship!

I admire KR for what hes done this past 2 years. He said he would get antrim in an all ireland final and he did. we ddnt win it but christ it was serious progress. It gave belief back to players again. Years gone by we would have ended up losing to Limerick by 20 odd points or wexford by 20 as well. Now were putting it up to them.

The players deserve a lot of credit for the training they have put in over the winter. sure we wont win jack sh1t this season but we might just progress a bit farther than last season. If we do thats major progress.

Class! Well said

It'll be a good test alright. I'm hoping we get plenty of heart with the two home games!!

That's what i asked DR about and i'm conscious that we need to redress the mentality not just for the here and now - but for the u12s, 14s etc coming through.
You're right about the whole mentality thing.
The one thing that would give you a bit of heart Sham is that KR has addressed the physical and conditioning side of things - since that we are much more competitve. We are living with the big teams now.
If this is a work in progress then no doubt his next step will be to start working on the psychological side of things.
I'd be very excited about this era - i think there is a lot more to come.

True - Aaron's shot was an important junction in the game. If there's one player you'd want for reliabillity its Aaron. Never lets you down. I'm sure he's well forgiven!

Genuine question re shots on goal - did Limerick have any??

Brilliant points Skull + NAH. I have wondered for years what could be done to address a lack of mental steel. I have believed for a long time it's part of the problem. A major part. I hope these group of players can see the progress being mad and how far they've come. That'll feed into our minors, u16s, 14s, 12s etc.
It's nice to be in a place where we know that, finally, every time we go to watch our county play we are guaranteed to get a performance and be in with a shout, no matter who we play!

Great to see a variety of opinions on here and being done in a respectful manner. Feeling positive about the season. Limerick are one of the best teams in Ireland and we matched them right up to the 45th minute.

Agreed - and some positivity too!!
Some facts to keep in mind before waffling about the calibre of our players.
Limerick : 2013 Munster champions. All Ireland Semi Finalists - beaten by AI Champions Clare by 7 points.
Limerick : 2014 Munster finalists. All Ireland Semi Finalists - beaten by AI Champions Kilkenny by two points.

I prefer to call this devil's advocate rather than being negative - postivity for the sake of it is basically propaganda.
The fact is that playing Limerick in Ballycastle in February is just not comparable to Thurles in July. That's the same for all counties. The old league is league and championship is championship.
Much less the issue that we were still beaten off the park in the last quarter of the game.
Particularly when many of their top players are absent while preparing for Ballyhale.

Thats said - wins against Laois & Offaly should regain our Division 2 status - and we should accpt we've quite simply got no place in Division 1. I'm fine with that - not a criticism. Division 2 survival and a few wins is not a negative for me at all.
In terms of championship when the the real judgement comes - I would love to see us pick up a scalp there rather than the annual procession of results against the same teams.

Propaganda is info of a biased or misleading nature being used to promote a cause. I gave you facts about Limerick and to be honest, i really wouldnt be too fussed about promoting the Limerick cause.
Those facts show just where Limerick hurling is at present.
I have used these facts to maybe shed some light on how Antrim are fairing in Division 1B. A one point loss in Wexford Park and toe to toe with Limerick for 60 mins.
What has Thurles in July got to do with this arguement? Both teams had to play in Ballycastle yesterday! And given this new brand of Antrim hurler, Antrim were probably at a greater disadvantage than Limerick yesterday! That's a very old arguement. About as old as league is league and championship is championship. Do you think Antrim will still only be a league side come championship this year?
"Many of their top players were missing" - How many were they missing from Kilmallock?

Limerick only pulled away when Antrim lost their midfield pairing who, to that point, were dominating their opposite numbers. Add that to the fact that at least two Antrim sure starters were on the line yesterday with injuries. Two men who would make a massive difference. When it came to the crunch - both panels were SLIGHTLY depleted yesterday.

I've got a bit carried away on this one, apologies. We've become too accustomed to progressive debates of late. I just wouldnt want to slip back into the dark ways - like the southern managers and their "keep up the good work up there" sh!te.

You're 100% right though about the championship. That is where we all want to see the big win!! I hope we do get one. But for now - if we win our last three games we'll definitely make the league knock out stages and not just be seen as survivalists!
Wouldn't that be a great basis to launch your championship campaign??

Great to see a variety of opinions on here and being done in a respectful manner. Feeling positive about the season. Limerick are one of the best teams in Ireland and we matched them right up to the 45th minute.

Agreed - and some positivity too!!
Some facts to keep in mind before waffling about the calibre of our players.
Limerick : 2013 Munster champions. All Ireland Semi Finalists - beaten by AI Champions Clare by 7 points.
Limerick : 2014 Munster finalists. All Ireland Semi Finalists - beaten by AI Champions Kilkenny by two points.

Ballycastle don't even know where to play him, he has poor mobility. Maybe he has been doing good things in training. Eddie is a very talented player. I think he can blow a bit hot and cold though. Glad Campbell and McRory are starting.
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Two good replacements. Big Matty is obviously the muscle in a speedy but small forward line. Not a bad policy when you think about it. Have seen him about the town....he's looking in good nick. Good ball winner whether at the back or the front.

Reports show clearly Antrim were hurling better against 15 men. The team going down to 14 normally ups its game. The team with 15 psycholigically sits back. The "extra man" excuse doesnt wash in hurling.
As pointed out, Wexford dumped Clare last yr. They are, in the records, one of the top 4 in 2014.
Antrim hit them for 1-07 without reply when they finally realised 15 men have to work harder.

We can debate all day long about whether or not the panel is the 28 best hurlers in the county.
What we can't debate is whether or not it is the most committed 28 hurlers in the county - because, for a fact, it is!!

Progress has been made. Ryan has set a standard of what it takes to represent our county. That alone is progress.

Antrim will beat Limerick on Sunday.

Well I do volunteer almost Full time with the club so I am in a position to moan.

Full time? if your moaning, your heart is not in it, not giving it 100%.  If your moaning it is most likely the dissipation of negative energy.  Time to get out or move on possibly?

How do you remember all of your different usernames and passwords?

Lol - great comeback. Well played sir. 

Two weeks ago the admin on the guestbook said that all the fixtures would be released today. I asked the club secretary but he has got nothing.  I was chatting to a fella from County Down last week who was able to say that they have had their fixtures for 3 weeks now.

I understand we are a dual county and it may take a tiny bit longer but this is getting beyond a joke. I can't imagine it being that hard in reality. Football and Hurling league dates, Championship dates (easy peasy because let's face it, Antrim ain't winning any All Irelands), home and away fixtures for those dates and Voila!

As far as I know many of the people who are tasked with fixture scheduling and planning hold positions on a no. of committees that they would gladly give up if people could be found to replace them. I have been at the meetings where the pleas have been made yet no hands were raised. Again too few having to do too much. Constantly slating the administrators is never going to attract new blood ffs. I am not in a position to volunteer and as such i am not prepared to moan about these delays either.

Well said.
It's easy to moan about referees/county boards/managers/selectors/referees etc. But unless you are part of that particular set up, then you probably don't know all the facts. Do you honestly think any of them set out to be inefficient or ineffective? Frostbit could genuinely moan about the hinderance he is experiencing because of a lack of info from county board - its bound to be frustrating. What he can't moan about is the officials. There'll be a genuine reason for the delay in issuing fixtures.
However, if moaners believe it's the individuals holding office in county board or management teams or whatever who are at fault, then do something about finding a replacement.
Simples

XXXX Senior hurling team is currently looking for a Manager. If you are interested please contact the Secretary secretary.xxxxantrim@gaa.ie

Not a forum for advertising. Surely clubs have the means to notify their members internally. Certainly not a forum for seeking the services of paid coaches.

At which point did St Galls  (lets be honest) even mention that it was a paid coach? Nothing in the post even suggests it was to be paid.