Messages

1

General discussion / Re: A United Ireland. Opening up the discussion.

« on: December 01, 2021, 10:33:21 AM »

The tearing up of the rail network west of the Bann was done on a sectarian basis.

The 6 County government decided they weren't for subsidising the rail network for Taigs to travel to Bundoran for their days out.

At the time the Derry Road rail line (Portadown, Dungannon, Omagh, Derry) was actually the only part of the northern rail network that was in profit.

There's a good documentary on TG4 about the northern rail network, Iarnród Uladh,

It wasnt too long ago that Danny Kennedy the Transport Minister at the time wanted to close the line between Derry and Coleraine until Eamon McCann and his lads put a stop to his plans with the Into The West initiative.

2

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 22, 2021, 10:54:30 AM »

I thinks its pretty poor that our county hurling champions at various levels have been sitting for what must be close to 6 weeks waiting on the first round of Ulster to be played. I assume they have found it difficult to get friendlies. Having said that I am sure these clubs are delighted to have this winter distraction.  Good luck to them all.

Maybe it was due to the football, but I couldn't understand why Antrim run off their finals when they did knowing that there'd be a big gap to the Ulster campaigns.

Down intermediate hurling final was yesterday, the junior on the day before with the senior played two Sundays ago.

Newry Shamrocks must be doing a hell of a lot at underage. Fair play to them on their IHC victory.

I'd have said Carryduff would have been massive favourites having won all their group games.

The Ulster IHC will be an interesting competition this year - a lot of teams there more than capable of winning that.

Johnny, who won the Down JHC ?

3

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 18, 2021, 09:54:11 PM »

Middleton are a handy outfit.

Did they not reach the All Ireland intermediate final several years ago.

They gave Cushendall their fill of it in Owenbeg in the Ulster SHC the year Cushendall reached the final.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: November 18, 2021, 09:50:28 PM »

I remember once hearing that either McDermotts or Davitts was the richest club in Ulster due to their social club intake, I have no idea if that is true or not but if there is any truth in it your theory is blown out of the water. I.e. buying championships.

McDermotts racked up a heap of debt and folded.

McDermotts folded after their committee resigned en masse after an insurance claim over something or other in their social club. They weren't insured.

5

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 12, 2021, 09:12:22 AM »

Think Ballycran beat them in Corrigan in the Ulster semi final a few years back before Slaughtneil went on their winning run. Then dunged the togs in the Ulster final v Cushendall.

If Cormac O'Doherty is out for Slaughtneil he will be a major loss. He sustained a busted shoulder in the Derry hurling final v Lynches and didnt play in the Derry football final.

Unless Mickey McShane can fine tune their hurling and stickwork Id say Dunloy will win this.

Slaughtneil looked a tired team in the Derry hurling final where they did enough to keep Lynches at arms length and also looked jaded in the football final.

These lads have clocked up a right few miles this past few years and perhaps the desire may not be as prevalent as in previous years, but it is a hurling championship and Slaughtneil know how to win championships.

Id say it has all the ingredients of being a great match.

Is he still in charge of Slaughtneil? Wouldn't have thought so.

Aye, managining Slaughneil. Nander and Noel Brick are part of his coaching team.

6

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 11, 2021, 09:21:36 AM »

MR2 watched St Louis despatch St Marys in the Mageean, with Owen Elliott refereeing, and was also told at the game Garrett Duffy is also refereeing University games, do you know why are these lads not reffn in our Football & Hurling Leagues?

Not sure, I was chatting to Garrett at Jordanstown, we were both doing games at the university. He’s not interested in doing club games. Too much abuse I’d imagine. Owen still involved with camogie, again less abuse though knowing Owen it was always water off a ducks back.

Not sure what the policy is either for college games if I’m being honest. The games are handier than club games that’s for sure. You should have asked them when you were at the game

Owen refereed the Derry hurling final

7

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 11, 2021, 09:20:25 AM »

Think Ballycran beat them in Corrigan in the Ulster semi final a few years back before Slaughtneil went on their winning run. Then dunged the togs in the Ulster final v Cushendall.

If Cormac O'Doherty is out for Slaughtneil he will be a major loss. He sustained a busted shoulder in the Derry hurling final v Lynches and didnt play in the Derry football final.

Unless Mickey McShane can fine tune their hurling and stickwork Id say Dunloy will win this.

Slaughtneil looked a tired team in the Derry hurling final where they did enough to keep Lynches at arms length and also looked jaded in the football final.

These lads have clocked up a right few miles this past few years and perhaps the desire may not be as prevalent as in previous years, but it is a hurling championship and Slaughtneil know how to win championships.

Id say it has all the ingredients of being a great match.

8

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 10, 2021, 11:15:13 AM »

Going by the look of Celtic park for the football final on Sunday didnt look like the greatest option for a hurling game.

I think for the time of year Celtic Park would be the best option plus it would be a lot easier to get to rather than a 3 day camel ride to Armagh.

Owenbeg has had some remedial work done recently but there have been a good few Derry championship matches played there in the past month.

Carey v Carrickmore Ulster IHC match is scheduled for Ballycastle whilst the Glenravel v NCC match is scheduled for Loughgiel at the same time FFS.

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Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 10, 2021, 09:56:01 AM »

Heard its in Armagh.

That's a long aul drive for both teams, and supporters

Pain in the hole.

The Athletic Grounds wouldnt be in the best of shape this time of year. Celtic Park is a great surface and would suit a championship hurling match at this time of year.

Have heard that Dunloy would be up for playing in Celtic Park but not Owenbeg for some reason. One or two of the Dunloy lads might be able to confirm / deny.

10

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 10, 2021, 09:49:43 AM »

Heard its in Armagh.

That makes lots of sense doesn’t it. Crazy!

I had heard at the Johnnies/Dunloy game that Sneil and Dunloy been watching each other all season, love the confidence.

Think sneil just too much, be great to see Dunloy win. No football to contend with for the Derry boys will be massive help.

Couple of the Dunloy management at the Derry Football Final on Sunday.

11

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: November 09, 2021, 03:59:53 PM »

Heard its in Armagh.

12

GAA Discussion / Re: Casement Park in line for major overhaul - 40,000 all seater Stadium.

« on: November 03, 2021, 11:39:56 AM »

Ulster Council have made a complete and total balls up of this and Antrim are paying the price as a result although it was the Antrim County Board who decided not to make the repairs required in order to get the required safety certificate from Belfast City Council after they saw the £ signs before anything was signed off.

As a result, the stadium was closed and has fallen into a state of disrepair.

Part of the 3-stadium deal, Windsor Park, Ravenhill and Casement (as deemed by the Ulster Council) was that the provincial body were to manage the project so it was taken out of Antrim’s hands although they haven’t exactly covered themselves with glory since.

Stupid idea to push through with plans to build a 34,000 - 38,000 seater stadium in W Belfast. Would never have reached that capacity even with an Ulster ‘football’ final.

If anything, the stand should have been demolished and replaced with a new structure and a new seated stand built on the opposite terracing.

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Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread

« on: August 03, 2021, 01:07:12 PM »

Going back a few years I was assured the Antrim board of the day negotiated a "decent" deal on behalf of Antrim Gaels. More recent clarification would be welcome if there has been any change in this agreement in the intervening years.

BS not sure this happened. In fact was there not moves to get all say in transferred to UC which was caught on just before it was signed off.

It will become a commercial decision when it gets to be open.

The Ulster Council tried to coerce the Antrim County Board to sign over Casement to them as they were managing the project.

Antrim refused to do this as that would have them without a stadium.

14

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: July 11, 2021, 01:49:21 PM »

Antrim have been nyamming about the 'structures' for years. Time for them to do a Kildare and start doing things themselves.

That Kildare U20 victory over Wexford didn't happen overnight. That's a result of 10 years of underage development.

Antrim have a chance to get things underway with Gaelfast, which unfortunately appears to be imploding with the project looking for its third manager since it began.
 
I'd say that Darren Gleason may have been referring to the U20 result during the week.

Good question as why Paul Donnelly left the Gaelfast set up. I was at one of the series of Gaelfast roadshows and was impressed with what was being rolled out. Did he jump from a sinking ship

I have to question the logic of a Gaelfast coach taking a series of football sessions at a primary school which is a feeder for a hurling only club. Apparently that is what the coach was instructed to do which would indicate an issue with communication.

15

Antrim / Re: ANTRIM HURLING

« on: July 10, 2021, 08:00:12 PM »

Had a bad feeling about today's match especially after the performance v The Dubs.

Cheddar had Laois switched into championship mode which is something Antrim have not been capable of doing over the years, with the exception of Dinny Cahill's teams.

Bad week for Antrim hurling with the U20 result and the minor team's situation.

Possibly got carried away with the league performances.