Messages

Dunloy unable to field against Cushendall tonight? Rumours the match has been cancelled conceded.

Goals win games and in this case, championships, the first goal for me allowed Cushendall to win the match, well executed by a fabulous catch from Carson, good vision and great support play to finish it off..
Cushendall got their match ups right and as said here already, Loughgiel played a game that suited Cushendall, very little width from Loughgiel meant that Cushendall would come out with the ball during most of the tussles.
Loughgiel didn't come out at half time it seemed, for me the changes didn't have the effect they'd have hoped, another day a different result but there was an intent by the Dall not to lose this one and they held on handy enough to win it.
Neil was all over the pitch wining ball and making great clearances his couple of catches under the crossbar were great to see and MOTM for me.
As for the officiating of the match, there were no issues at all during the whole game, Skinny talks all  through the game and delivers the reasons to why the foul has been given and while players may not always agree there was no talk back and that was shown by the amount of time the ball was moved forward for dissent, which was none, think moved forward for hitting the ball away once..
Well done to Ballycastle on delivering again, they were right out on the roads allowing the cars to get away as quick as they can considering the amount of cars there.. also for the way they handled the match day.

So Ballycran cause an upset, can they cause another? I doubt it Cushendall are like a juggernaut at the minute, so hopefully another ulster title for the Antrim champs..

Oh and well done Dunloy, another double and 4 in a row at Minior healthy set up but as Cushendall proved today they have no plans to go away or step down..

Loughgiel will probably have a rethink, maybe some retirements there, a lot of miles on the clock and they have something that both Dunloy and Cushendall want, its up to them to step up and deliver!

Must agree with Skinny being the best in the county atm, he refereed alot of our underage games. And one thing i was always very impressed with was his vocalisation of his calls. Even during play youd of got a comment - good tackle, play on etc not massive things but at underage i think it was a great thing.

Firm but fair.

[That being said securing the funding is actually the easier part. When all the big knobs leave after the grand opening and tea and sandwiches that is when it get tough. There are no grants for heat, electric, rates, maintenance or the like.]

What Glenariff have achieved in raising and securing funding to build their new facility is nothing short of magnificent. They are an example to many other clubs who wish to improve their own facilities. That being said securing the funding is actually the easier part. When all the big knobs leave after the grand opening and tea and sandwiches that is when it get tough. There are no grants for heat, electric, rates, maintenance or the like.

That's the nail on the head & i feel we have maybe over extended, could be wrong. I just think the maintenance & upkeep could be difficult year on year.

Reading the recent posts on Glenariff and reminded me of an article I read a few years back

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/a-spectacular-reversal-of-fortune-28955015.html

Obviously Glenariff wont incur the same costs stipulated in the article, but it puts into perspective the running of such facilities when regeneration and development is implemented.

Hopefully everything works out, and improves the facilities for all in the inner glens

Still think we're lacking some sort of area (3G) for recreational use all year round for the several sports clubs and groups in our area. It was being pushed a couple years back but dont know the outcome of the crusade, anyone shed some light?

Could of had them rejected?

Is that a past tense and they have decided to let St Endas to play?

Any updates on todays games?

He put name into empty hat and club AGM appointed him. He had went for minor job but lost it on a vote. My point is that our club should be actively looking for a manger not leaving it to anyone that puts name in hat following an ad in our local GAA bulletin that is read by 30-40 people max

Would agree. Raymond's a good lad so it shouldn't reflect poorly on him but if the town want to build on good work of the previous few years they need to put the best people in place. Some may argue that they let a better coaching team go across the mountain.

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Did part of said "better" coaching team not already have a crack at the whip with Ballycastle recently? and it didnt seem to work?

Maybe the money over the mountain was a better draw.

What money

Not the first ex ballycastle manager to follow the money, that's at least 3 now? By all accounts it's not just for the money but respect.

Whether Raymond was the only eejit who put his name forward or not massive respect for the hard work and hours put in over the last 6 months with half the team.

Two men for £15K and should win the intermediate. Shrewd business by the men over the mountain 

Same two men would have done a brilliant job in town for nothing, fair play to them.

Should win, could have won it a few times.

Fancy St Endas for an upset

He put name into empty hat and club AGM appointed him. He had went for minor job but lost it on a vote. My point is that our club should be actively looking for a manger not leaving it to anyone that puts name in hat following an ad in our local GAA bulletin that is read by 30-40 people max

Would agree. Raymond's a good lad so it shouldn't reflect poorly on him but if the town want to build on good work of the previous few years they need to put the best people in place. Some may argue that they let a better coaching team go across the mountain.

Did part of said "better" coaching team not already have a crack at the whip with Ballycastle recently? and it didnt seem to work?

Maybe the money over the mountain was a better draw.

Ballycastle would be missing several of there seniors from the last couple years.

Couple lads in Australia, A couple in america etc.

and with regards their Reserves, any of the reserves that would have been reserves have been called upon to hurl senior.

St Johns Surely be favourites, This team was their ulster minor winning team that did the double in football and hurling a few years back I think, and even at that they've gained some talented youngsters.

Wouldnt write Cdall of either though, Should be a close game. If it goes ahead.

St Johns be vying for blood after the let down of last year.

I was at the Loughgiel v Cushendall gamefor . Easy win for Loughgiel although Cushendall were missing quite a few, very good crowd at it too. Good to see some of our young lads doing well.

Conor Carson pulled a deliberate and cowardly stroke to try and injure, should get a bigger suspension than he will get.

Dal missing 2 McNaughtons and McManus. Loughiel didn't start 3 equally as influential players in Winker, Joey and Clyde (2 of them came on for about 5 minutes) Winker didn't come on at all.

Carsons slap wasn't pleasant and was a clear sending off  but , Tony handed out a Slap off the ball to Carson in and around the 15min mark that was equally a sending off offence. Which was right infront of  Mark. Yet nothing was done.

Heres hoping the new additions make a positive impact on the team and result this weekend.

Watched that John Dillon hurl last year in a championship match against Glenariff, he was unreal. Good solid hurler under high balls and he has a bit of speed on the grass also. Hopefully he bodes well.

In relation to the other additions.

Dessie McClean was a fantastic under-age hurler, but i havent seen him play in a few years so I cant say much about him in recent times.

The other young fellas added dont stand out much imo, but they're still young and can improve.

Murphy has speed alright but Ive watched him and he's very one sided, you can get away with this at underage level.But at senior and inter county hell be sussed out very easily.

There hasn't been a decent hurler out of Antrim or Ulster since the 90's, Although I'll not argue with the fact any county in Ireland would have Winker, Dublin more so. They must try stretch their budget that little bit further this year if they wish to lure an Antrim legend from the rolling hills of Loughgiel.

Conor Did headbutt Sean Cassidy (3), but in retaliation he pulled Conors faceguard immediately after the headbutt which I always thought was also a Red card for interference of the helmet? So in fairness If one had to go so did the other surely, Open to correction on the Faceguard pulling though?

Cushendall only won by 3-19 to 1-4 in Ballygalget!!

and if they finish the league by winning their games they will win it, Small consolation i know but sending your neighbours to Belfast every other weekend in div two will ease their pain

I dont know about you but Imo thats a grand result for us considering the team we had out , or lack of team... some big names in there too but a few minors and worse on the team , dog awful game all round... i see graham clarke has found a new position stuck in the corner, And to answer , Sending our neighbours to belfast every week would be sweet but playing them and getting tore into them is just as sweet

All Valid points above , as for having a go at the current crop of boys we have wearing the saffron jersey they are all very talented hurlers but we are leaps and bounds behind any other southern county.. The work doesnt start with these boys but the young lads dying to wear the county's colours from the ages U15.16.18's who need to be developed and get the chance to hurl against the likes of tipp,kk and cork ... Im only out of minor and i have talked to plenty of boys on the panels of my age group , and they love it , good craic etc but once all the hard training is over and the ulster title is retained , they all have it in there heads whats the point well get hammered anyway , surely this is where the work needs to be put in , not with the boys already half way through their career.

AS For chrissy and carson .... ill admit slane was fantastic