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Spot on boys - i'm sure they have to listen to some dicks on a daily basis but there's probably a less sarcy way of responding

There's two of them as far as I know. I'd say there's a fair few posts don't even get through!!

I - podge collins being the perfect example and they've brought another 2 in this yr of the same stature and they are some gravy!!
cfclg - agree with your sentiments but I think you can rule St Galls out of that for now. It appears they're in a bit of trouble. One or two experienced men have retired. But more importantly - they can't attract a manager. 

you could be onto something there - i wouldn't really see size as too big a hinderance. You're right about the talent. The county hurlers are in some nick physically through sheer hardwork. And the Clare team that won the all ireland a couple of years ago weren't exactly blessed with big physical men, but they were like lightening and skillful. They worked on their strength and conditioning. Speed and skill are the key now. Players strength can be developed as you can see with our own players. I do think if the player has the skill you think he has, the physicallity can be worked on. Look at Daniel McKernan. Holding his own at CHF too.

Hurlingstick knows his stuff
Nigel Elliott - Cruciate Ligament; Sean Burke - In Australia; Benny - In America; Saul - unable to committ but part of the u21 set up.
Then our 6 forwards + plus the 4 brought in rack up 2-20 in Wexford Park.
Keep an eye on the league - see how many teams rack up 2-20 in Wexford Park. I'll guess none.

Fair play to Kevin Ryan and his team.

[It boosted it so much they haven't even got a senior hurling manager this year - only in St Galls.]

Te championship in both football and hurling is to be seeded this year. It was voted in 24-20 in favour of it as the meeting the night.

Top seeds in football are st galls, cargin, St. John's and Rossa.

Top hurling seeds are loughgiel, cushendall, dunloy and ballycastle.

This should make for some debating!

Maybe a stupid question but i take it its only senior? Either way it is disappointing, open draw always adds to the excitement, personally i was delighted to see galls get to a SHC final this year I'm sure it has boosted hurling in the club.

It boosted it so much they haven't even got a senior hurling manager this year - only in St Galls. Clooney Gaels will be the club with the real appetite this year. They'll be back with a vengance and hopefully they'll get a bit of luck in the draw.
I do agree with you on the open draw though - it's the only way to go. Names in a hat, draw them out and whoever is the best will win the championship. The history, passion and pride that's associated with our championship should not be compromised. Open draw - simples!

Has Oliver Bellew packed it in? Why?

I don't think there was ever any doubt that getting to the senior final was ever going to be more than a day out.

No harm to MR2 and his preference for the wee ball, but big ball rules there. And if you don't win a final - then I'm not sure there's much more in it than the day out.
The Johnnies got there a couple of times in the 90s, and Cushendun also.
Does it really matter now?
For Galls I would have thought their victory against Dunloy would have been more of a spur to their potential than the day out for beating Clooney & Sarsfields.

However sadly, I dont see any team in the City putting up a challenge to the Big 3 (sorry Bonamargey!) or Ballycastle either.

Yeah he's gone. Kevin Ryan has him now. Did well to get them into Div 1 and keep them there. Anything less than a county final appearance would have been deemed a failure, but they got there and competed.

You're 100% right. There'll be no challenge from the City for some time. The only chance would be an outside manager taking St Johns. Someone with no ties and wasnt prepared to be influenced by clubmen. They'd upset one of the big 3 but unfortunately wouldnt have enough to go all the way.
Ballycastle are a sleeping giant at the minute. With the likes of Clarkie, Stoogie and Saul up front they could be a scoring machine. I don't know if Humpy is the right man for that job though - but could prove me wrong.

Other than that it's up to Dunloy to upset the apple cart. There hasnt been much coming through the ranks for a right few years but with Woody hurling the way he is at the back and Shorty for one up front - maybe!!!!!

Te championship in both football and hurling is to be seeded this year. It was voted in 24-20 in favour of it as the meeting the night.

Top seeds in football are st galls, cargin, St. John's and Rossa.

Top hurling seeds are loughgiel, cushendall, dunloy and ballycastle.

This should make for some debating!

Maybe a stupid question but i take it its only senior? Either way it is disappointing, open draw always adds to the excitement, personally i was delighted to see galls get to a SHC final this year I'm sure it has boosted hurling in the club.

It boosted it so much they haven't even got a senior hurling manager this year - only in St Galls. Clooney Gaels will be the club with the real appetite this year. They'll be back with a vengance and hopefully they'll get a bit of luck in the draw.
I do agree with you on the open draw though - it's the only way to go. Names in a hat, draw them out and whoever is the best will win the championship. The history, passion and pride that's associated with our championship should not be compromised. Open draw - simples!

Whilst Cushendall are from the finished article yet, Slaughtneil are also there for the beating. They sent a full team up to play a weakened St Galls team in preparation for both clubs senior hurling championships. Slaughtneil won by a few with St Galls misfiring up front, again. But more importantly St Galls didnt even have a full team out. If the heads are right, Cushendall will win this one!

Friends, there are a lot of opinions and heresay about this whole debacle. It's all very unsavoury. To date only one party has come out and gave "their version of events". Any of us with any wit will know that there are always two sides to every story and they are not often the same. Whilst its easy to take a side swipe at those in power whether it be in our clubs/counties wherever, those doing all the shouting are usually never prepared to take office or responsibility. With that in mind i'd be keen to hear the Executives version of events in order that I can make an informed decision of my own as to what the real problem is here. And until I make that decision - i will keep an open mind. The only slight concern i have to date is - why has our Executive not come out with their version of events?
I am not saying they have to. They may be absolutely right in what they are doing and therefore do not need to broadcast it or defend themselves but i always think a bit of transparency is good.

[Portaferry may live to regret not bagging a couple of points against Dunloy later in the year.]

Any more match info especially from the City teams?

Shared check-in lounge with a Cork man - not optimistic about the year ahead.
Imagine if he had to support Antrim!

Hopefully the club games started with a bang.

St Johns and Sarsfields reportedly not of the highest standard - but its only the first game.
St Galls reportedly had underfiring forwards. Matched Cushendall but couldnt finish.
Portaferry may live to regret not bagging a couple of points against Dunloy later in the year.
Surprised at Ballycastle. Thought they would have won that one at home

Really strange comment there

Dont really understand how that is a strange comment

The way i took it, Portaferry had a chance to beat Dunloy and didnt take it, therefore may regret it later in the season as those 2 points could have been valuable.

Fair enough

Yeah, thats exactly what I meant boys.
Do you think there's a lax attitude about the league this year?

[Portaferry may live to regret not bagging a couple of points against Dunloy later in the year.]

Any more match info especially from the City teams?

Shared check-in lounge with a Cork man - not optimistic about the year ahead.
Imagine if he had to support Antrim!

Hopefully the club games started with a bang.

St Johns and Sarsfields reportedly not of the highest standard - but its only the first game.
St Galls reportedly had underfiring forwards. Matched Cushendall but couldnt finish.
Portaferry may live to regret not bagging a couple of points against Dunloy later in the year.
Surprised at Ballycastle. Thought they would have won that one at home

Really strange comment there

Just from the point of view that it was a tight game that they may have gotten something from considering how badly they fared last year. I would have expected Dunloy to have beaten them quite handily to be honest, but with the tight scoreline if Portaferry had have pushed on that would have been a big two points for them for later in the season.
No slight on Dunloy.

Any more match info especially from the City teams?

Shared check-in lounge with a Cork man - not optimistic about the year ahead.
Imagine if he had to support Antrim!

Hopefully the club games started with a bang.

St Johns and Sarsfields reportedly not of the highest standard - but its only the first game.
St Galls reportedly had underfiring forwards. Matched Cushendall but couldnt finish.
Portaferry may live to regret not bagging a couple of points against Dunloy later in the year.
Surprised at Ballycastle. Thought they would have won that one at home

Anyway, a little Belfast birdie told me last night that the Andersonstown News were able to publish a comprehensive list of all the Antrim Hurling Fixtures for this season!
After a bit of checking - this has been confirmed.

They are all available on the Antrim website - complete with a wonderful new admin moderator 

You got my hopes up!!!
Went on to the website and clicked on first team in the league table and guess what!! No senior hurling league fixtures.
Surely if the Andytown News has them, then the website should have them.
Less than a week to go and no-one has a clue whether they have a game or not!!
It may have all hung on yesterday's result but surely the provisional fixtures can be published.

In addition, does anyone think those paying for advertising on the county website may be a bit p!ssed that, on the biggest day of the year so far and following such a terrific result in Ballycastle, the website is not being manned or updated on the day it is expecting it's biggest audience?

And before you say it - i am doing my bit for the county and no i am not available or qualified to help out on the website.

Anyway, a little Belfast birdie told me last night that the Andersonstown News were able to publish a comprehensive list of all the Antrim Hurling Fixtures for this season!
After a bit of checking - this has been confirmed.

They are all available on the Antrim website - complete with a wonderful new admin moderator 

What a day!!!!

Anyway, a little Belfast birdie told me last night that the Andersonstown News were able to publish a comprehensive list of all the Antrim Hurling Fixtures for this season!
After a bit of checking - this has been confirmed.