Antrim Football Thread

[paddyjohn]

We blew yet another lead last night to end up with a draw, probably a lucky one at that.

8 points up at one point in the first half, then changed tactics and went conservative, retaining possession, when St Galls were there to be put out of sight.

That extra point would have been very valuable.

It has been a season of poor decisions and missed opportunities and I fear the worst.

St Endas next week is a must win or we are gone.


Sw yous 2-2 to 0 up after 10mins  , how did you lose that lead

Same old story, get a lead and then panic and start to go side to side in our own half.

Gives the other team momentum and we lose ours and can't lift it again.

Too many times this season.

Our best performances have come from us being behind at half time and having to attack.

You would think they would see something behind that.

Who is in charge of your lads this year?

[NorthAntrim]

Are Dunloy down or is it just St Pats Lisburn ?

Bottom 2 relegated , 1 team promoted as outlined by All- Saints delegate in February

wonder would all saints be happy with that now

[barnish oggie]

We blew yet another lead last night to end up with a draw, probably a lucky one at that.

8 points up at one point in the first half, then changed tactics and went conservative, retaining possession, when St Galls were there to be put out of sight.

That extra point would have been very valuable.

It has been a season of poor decisions and missed opportunities and I fear the worst.

St Endas next week is a must win or we are gone.


Sw yous 2-2 to 0 up after 10mins  , how did you lose that lead

Same old story, get a lead and then panic and start to go side to side in our own half.

Gives the other team momentum and we lose ours and can't lift it again.

Too many times this season.

Our best performances have come from us being behind at half time and having to attack.

You would think they would see something behind that.

Who is in charge of your lads this year?

The fella from Tyrone that was in charge walked away, didn't like that most players were dual and weren't giving 100% commitment to football.

So a few from the club have stepped in and are giving their all so can't be faulted.

Would rather not name names to be fair to them but I'm sure most would recognise them on the sideline.

[Stillwater2]

Some clubs now regretting that they voted to get rid of the Relegation play offs.

[Milltown Row2]

Some clubs now regretting that they voted to get rid of the Relegation play offs.

If the county is going down the road of players not being available for clubs then play off for winning the league and relegation is the way forward, it might even encourage players from clubs to play for the county instead of just committing to club.

The play off would have a championship feel at the end and generate plenty of neutral interest

[bannside]

Imagine a scenario with group of four - bottom two and top two division below, in straight three game each shootout. Top two go/stay up.

And all clubs (as MR says) have county players back, at least its a bit of added assurance for clubs. Not to mention gate receipts. 6 games, each club has three. AvB, AvC, AvD, BvC, BvD & CvD. Would be pretty sure of £15 - £20k of additional revenue, which could go to county development squads!

Talking of gate receipts, Tyrone have a proper  final between top two in the league, and some years 10k people attend.

And on that note, how come league matters more in Tyrone than in Antrim where there is a conception "its only the league". Think we are missing a bit if a trick here tbh, especially with it being much more competitive than in bygone days when it was dominated by 2 clubs?

[Stillwater2]

Div 2 league finished already...any idea why so early? Some clubs played 4 games in 10 days.

Clubs waiting 4 weeks before Championship starts.

[delgany]

Some clubs now regretting that they voted to get rid of the Relegation play offs.

The CCC planned on one team being relegated from Div 1 and no one promoted from Div 2., same for Div 2 & 3!

[country bumpkin]

Leagues are indeed for playing in says the old adage....and such was most fitting this year with clubs fielding without their county players......had negative impact on more than a few clubs...

Cargin used to endure negative comment for winning league titles...such lesson well taught.

[Hoof Hearted]

Some clubs now regretting that they voted to get rid of the Relegation play offs.

The CCC planned on one team being relegated from Div 1 and no one promoted from Div 2., same for Div 2 & 3!

That would have been an exciting division 2 !

[Hectic]

Div 2 league finished already...any idea why so early? Some clubs played 4 games in 10 days.

Clubs waiting 4 weeks before Championship starts.

12 team league with a split so fewer games to be played.

Fixtures were well spread out.

Maybe a wee bit of a build up before split and for some reason clubs appear to have been allowed to then fulfil pre split fixtures after.

Who had to play 4 games in 10 days?

[Hoof Hearted]

Div 2 league finished already...any idea why so early? Some clubs played 4 games in 10 days.

Clubs waiting 4 weeks before Championship starts.

12 team league with a split so fewer games to be played.

Fixtures were well spread out.

Maybe a wee bit of a build up before split and for some reason clubs appear to have been allowed to then fulfil pre split fixtures after.

Who had to play 4 games in 10 days?

Only Aldergrove and sarsfields
They had an outstanding fixture from earlier in the season

[Milltown Row2]

A good manager will use that time to prepare for championship, get the boggles sorted out, long term injuries assessed and fit, challenge games and training weekend arranged.

Players will hardly be idle

[Hectic]

Yeah just back over the league there and Sarsfields did indeed play 4 games in 11 days (not 10) which is a tight enough ask with hurling fixed in between. Think it was not going to affect outcome in either code for them and relegation from Div 2 football was pretty much locked in by then.

So only opponent to potentially benefit from a burdened team would have been Aldergrove who are single code and were still in the hunt for the title at that stage.  And while Aldergrove  had 4 games fixed in that time they appear to have been awarded a walk over in one of them.  But didn't end up mattering.

But the answer regarding the schedule is that there were fewer games to be played in Div 2.

I think if I were playing I would have preferred a bit of a break now before Championship.  Get the holiday fitted in now and then back and at it in a couple of weeks preparing.

[Would ye whist]

Div 1 predictions:

EOC v LD- Home win by 7
Ahoghill v PG1- Draw
Aghagallon Creggan- Away win by 2
Naomh Eanna v Whitehill- Away win by 1
Moneyglass v Naomh Gall- Draw
Naomg Eoiv v Naomh Brid- Away win by 10