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Players removed from their clubs to play it in or train for development squads.

It's left several Club guys I spoke to last night having to cancel sessions - or merge U14/16/minor teams to get enough lads for sessions - which caused knock on issues itself.

What stuck me was that exactly the same predicament was being repeated by a range of clubs.

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Was at the game myself.  As far as I know the maximum any club had represented was 4 and that "impacted" 2 clubs.  Most clubs had 1 or 2 players on the panel which looked like had c 30 players in total with 15 clubs represented.  So the facts don't seem to back up your anecdotal/hearsay comments.  "Several clubs needing to merge u14/u16/minor" for training when they have 1 or 2 players (max of 4 - again only impacted 2 clubs) getting exposure to a level of hurling which is a step up from the normal club game/session.  If these clubs are having difficulties with numbers for sessions its a tad disingenuous to pin the blame on the u17 development squad, thats what the facts tell me!

Fair play to Dunloy - best team on the night & played a good brand of football.  St Brigids went too defensive and never really got going as a unit. I've seen them play a lot better this year - but needed to be more attack minded.  Dunloy lads looked that half yard quicker in thought & action.  They'll give the Ulster championship a good rattle.

I think both clubs willing to play this Friday 21st & looks like this is now the date! Hopefully we will get a decent game.

Venue might be agreed, but the date i.e. 28th is not agreed as far as I know.

I'm not sure both clubs have agreed to the Minor final on the 28th.  Seems like the debacle will drag on for a while.  Looks like a shambles and little consideration for a bunch of young lads who will be part of the future for Antrim.  No better way to kill any level of interest in representing your county.

Agree fully with MR on the sanctions. I am both a coach & parent and I have been approached to move my son to the "better club". It is absolutely the subtle thing of approaching the stronger player(s) and entice with medals and the other players will absolutely think WTF and very soon a club that was just about able to field a team folds.  That's the reality of it lads and the "big" clubs know that.  Unfortunately they are blinded by their own short sighted view and cannot see that in the long run lack of local completion will only stifle their own long term growth.       

The latter part of the statement about the dream ticket.

[The wee man working deviously like mad behind the scenes has now teamed Manley and Lennon together as the dream ticket for Antrim]

The wee man working deviously like mad behind the scenes has now teamed Manley and Lennon together as the dream ticket for Antrim

That is factually incorrect! And I know for sure.

Yes u15s won as well.  Made 13 changes in the last 15 minute period to give all 30 of the squad a run out and KK scored 4-2, up until that point they had scored 1-5 to Antrim's 2-10.  Out hurled KK in all aspects of the game for the 60 minute period.