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Speaking to a man there about the Tailteann cup. So in theory, Antrim could make it all the way to the final which is 13th July. This would mean that there would be a good handful of players that won't have kicked a single league ball for their clubs over 15 games? Is this correct? And potentially may only get a couple of championship group games if their club doesn't progress? Jesus Christ the system is well and truly broken.

very good. Yes lets judge at the end of the season, though with previous records club and county i hope expectations arent too high

Didn't he just win the derry league with castledawson and get them promoted to senior? Guys record seems ok

Right less of the slabbering boys. Worse than aul women. Which of the Downeys were playing last night!

Who gives a f**k

Probably the 3 homegrown players whose places they've taken 

aye but hurling is shite 

here here

MR2 one of the better refs, believe me.

Ahh yes, 'the Gospel according to Mick'.

As a half and halfer (Antrim & Derry), it is ridiculous to me to see comments belittling Derrys rise and drawing comparison to Antrim. It shows the complete state this thread has become. Criticising Gallaghers 'system'. Give your heads a wobble and go and watch football matches rather than spout second hand trash you try to pass off as your own. There used to be half a dozen or so sensible and balanced posters on here, now it's the sensationalist brigade.

Anyway. Predictions tonight:

Cargin +7
St.Johns + 5
St.Galls + 3
Creggan + 7
Aghagallon + 5
PG1 + 8

Management have a month now to see who's doing what on the training ground and in club games. I'm sure Andy is first to know a shake up is needed, he will have been disappointed himself with the effort on Saturday past.

If I was AME I would make it clear that only those 100% up for Tailtean Cup and next years NFL squad should commit to a month of hard training. Bring in half a dozen newbies and a squad of 40, and see who wants it the most, in the training and in the in house matches. Reputations should count for diddly squat, so too should be what club you come from, or even what age you are. Should Marc Jordan at almost 30 stand aside because a good 19/20 year old has suddenly appeared?  No, if the younger ones are good enough for now then let them show it.

If any of the unavailables previously documented want to put their hand up for consideration then I can't see Andy chasing any of them, but they would need to be going there in good shape, ready to hit the ground.

It's only one opinion NSS but at the end of that I'd expect CJ, RMQ, SON and possibly CD to be well in the mix.Also Dermot Adam  & Jamie would expect yo be in contention - but I'd make it the hardest training yet and see who's standing out and wants it the most. Anybody dosent fancy it, close the door on the way out.

Can't argue with that. Spike has reminded me, what is the state of play with
Michael and Tomas McCann? Are they returning to the panel when
recovered or are they now retired?

With reference to the older players, I'd love if those names wanted to come back to the fold, but they should have to and owe the County nothing.

You're turning it back on me, I'm just asking posters to state alternatives if they don't agree with a selection or system, but rarely does anyone post such. I try to.  I have been critical too, and I'm not happy that we're not competitive in Ulster yet. I was fuming at the Westmeath shambles, but can take it for what it was. A freak performance and result.

[" can we look at bringing forward the young guns and play a team with all our potential talents included? "]

"  can we look at bringing forward the young guns and play a team with all our potential talents included? "

So who are the young guns, the potential talents, you want to see fielded?

The throw away statements on here are a joke. Quick to point out the faults and nothing offered in terms of a fix. Same old same old eh.   

[but not judging it as we rarely show up in Ulster championship]

Yes Saturday was poor, I could list a few things that might have made it better, but not judging it as we rarely show up in Ulster championship, for any manager.

I think this is part of the problem BS, we are giving Antrim players an excuse by saying we will look at them properly in a 2nd rate competition.     We all have our opinions on the team quality and have we progressed at all but that Antrim team looked like they believed they shouldn't have been on the same pitch as Armagh. They were already beaten before they started and had the Tailteann Cup in their heads.  For this to be the most physically big Antrim team in years, they were like lambs out there.  Wasn't much blood and thunder about them.  We can only be judged on the Ulster Championship, and IMO the Tailteann is an unwelcome excuse that has became available. 

The knives aren't out for Andy, people are naturally disappointed in that showing on Saturday, and yes it was that bad but seeing as we are now stuck in the Tailteann, can we look at bringing forward the young guns and play a team with all our potential talents included? 

I wont be judging Andy on the Tailteann just as I wouldn't be judging Creggan on how they do in the O'Cahon Cup.  He has nothing to lose in my eyes so he is as well getting those hopefuls onto a pitch and seeing how they fare out.

Right, again... what does this team look like? What team would you field Spike?

So what lines up as playing the players who are up to the standard RS? No point harking on about lack of Cargin or Creggan players lad. The facts are that Ricky Johnston, Kevin O'Boyle, Crozier, Laverty, the McCanns etc are all still the main men in their clubs. None of them are coming out of inter county retirement, nor should they. Outside of those players, who from Creggan/Cargin is ready to start in the current Antrim side and where? At least make an effort to state your best team selection. Live up to your name and make it 'realistic'.

Not doing this NSS everyone was saying the bench was better than the starting team that's a starting point.

Wow. Really? The bench was Luke Mullholland, B McCormick, D Lynch, S O'Neill, R. Boyle, O Lenehan, Dowling, McEnhill, P Finnegan. Some decent players there but better than the 15 listed? I don't think so. Then there was Loughran and Eastwood who I do think should have started ahead of mclarnon and Creggan McCann.

Make no mistake, i tip my hat to all of the lads above for their commitment to the cause this year. There's not a lot of experienced campaigners at this level there don't forget. So the experience this year will be a big building block for a lot of them.

So what lines up as playing the players who are up to the standard RS? No point harking on about lack of Cargin or Creggan players lad. The facts are that Ricky Johnston, Kevin O'Boyle, Crozier, Laverty, the McCanns etc are all still the main men in their clubs. None of them are coming out of inter county retirement, nor should they. Outside of those players, who from Creggan/Cargin is ready to start in the current Antrim side and where? At least make an effort to state your best team selection. Live up to your name and make it 'realistic'.