Messages

Has "realist" in his name. Isn't capable of being realistic.

Not sure what your point is there.  I agree that free kicks is no way to finish a game. However the regulations were set by the county administration. To then decide during a game that those regulations aren't fit for purpose is an absolutely shambles. Perhaps a bit more forethought before competitions start would avoid such scenarios. Another 5 minutes of extra time ew would have been done and dusted before the free kicks were finished. And if that didn't sort, a replay and reschedule the final. And perhaps letting Cargin know about the rescheduling before anyone else would have been nice too

He didn't decide on the hoof. He consulted with both managers and it was agreed.

Ah I see, well that's OK then. Sure we'll just have a set of rules for each game agreed between the County chair and the teams

I thought the rule was a further 2 x 5min period of extra time if it was a draw after first period of extra time?

After the St. John's portglenone game, the general consensus was that games should be finished on the day, now people are happy with a 2nd replay on this occasion.

Extra 5 mins each way , after extra time abandoned  last year for 33 m free kicks. 2020 will see a straight forward penalty shoot out from 11m !

Not sure what the Antrim Championship regulations are for this year. Would be interested to see them if anyone has a link.

Last set I saw from a year or two ago there was no mention of free kicks, just extra time. The extra 10 mins each way followed by 5 mins each way I think was for the National Leagues. Again dont know if this was to follow into club championship games.

The one rule that was in place previously was that replays must be within 4 days of a drawn game which might explain the St Johns thing if that is still written in.

I found it painful watching the frees last night. The more it went on the more I was thinking screw this for a way to seperate teams that had fought so closely over 2 matches. But again great if someone had the latest regulations purely for interest.

It is 4 days or as directed by CCC so if they wanted to show a bit of common sense or consideration of player welfare they could, but they won't.
Long and the short of it is, they should have thought about fair or reasonable free kicks were before putting them into place. What can't take place is the cou ty chair deciding on the hoof that it's late and sure we'll just have a replay. A complete and total farce

Strong rumours floating around that LD want to take this to the Dub under lights.

I guess LD got what they wanted.

Tail wagging the Dog again. Boys do we badly need a county ground, and not St Johns up graded with shite car parking facilities

Remind me again about how much car parking there was in the old Casement or in the new one if it ever happens or any other county ground ffs. St John's will do perfectly well for Div 3 or 4 NL games. If you think that a 35,000 seater Casement will be opened for club games or NL games, then you're deluded. Maybe for the first year of so but after that, forget about it

The board will be trying to call your bluff BS - they know its championship and will dare you not to turn up and basically jettison your season.

Unacceptable in its entirety.

And you wonder why contributors on this board doubt our county board. Read above.

ps could they have got the venue any closer to St John's pitch?

Yes, O'Donnells.

As a neutral at the Portglenone vs St Johns game it was a highly entertaining game of football! Portglenone must be kicking themselves for not getting the win, but actually they were lucky to force a replay in the end. Would expect St Johns to kick on and win it the next day.

A replay in three days time if far from ideal for both teams,especially for a dual club with being tasked with 3 championship games in week!

I would agree with Bannside though that there was an occasion in the second half when the lines man was clearly demonstrating to the referee that Paddy McBride had struck an opponent, but that no card was given. In truth McBride was involved in several incidents where he was very lucky to stay on the field.

So as a neutral presumably you'll be able to confirm the constant targeting of certain St John's players (one in particular) and the failure of BT to book a Portglenone player for a deliberate trip (he even pointing towards his foot when he gave the free). Just in the interests of having a balanced debate.

Friday, Wed and another Friday?

Would you prefer them match and two hard training sessions and then another match? Some people are hard too please! Players prefer games to training? If you'd played a bit, you'd agree 

its certainly suiting st galls anyway! What's the difference with them this year?

Leagues are playing, championships are for winning. Hopefully we don't become Cargin 

do u think the lamhs winning it last year was a one off? They seem to be having an average league campaign

LD won 8 and lost 8 in the league last year but won when it mattered-Championship. As MR2 says, leagues are for playing in. St Galls will be ready to mount a serious challenge for Championship-plenty still around who know what it's about.

[Considering the effort put in, I'd say they were fit enough for the club matches 2% of the players controlling the games, managers playing their star players could give the others ago and bring on the rest if needs be?]

I've asked this question a number of times on the county website without response.  Can someone explain the thinking behind the scheduling of league games less than 24 hours after the Down game.  Perhaps some consideration of player welfare might help player commitment.

Considering the effort put in, I'd say they were fit enough for the club matches 

2% of the players controlling the games, managers playing their star players could give the others ago and bring on the rest if needs be?

There you have it, utter and complete lack of respect in one post. Sacrificed there lives from January for Antrim, regardless of how it went, and for the fixtures committee not to have even the slightest awareness of player welfare is beyond contempt. Give respect, get respect my arse.

And you never got my post at all, I'm taking the piss with my first line ya muppet

I'll assume that "bring on the rest if needs be" was also a piss take.  To have a situation where players and/or clubs are having to make a decision whether to play two games in 24 hours is pathetic.

You point of view is pathetic! Player welfare? Players are far more conditioned nowadays than ever before, and more aware of their body's limits.. if a player plays when he's not fit then he's daft and so is his manager for playing him!

Clubs at senior level should be using the squad, if you think the leagues are top of the list then you're deluded.. championship is the be and end all.. plus why should 99% of club players sit around every year waiting on one/two players from their club so they get can actually play?

I wasn't suggesting that they should sit around. My point is about less than 24 hours. That round of games could have been played the following Wednesday without any impact on county preparations for the qualifier game.  Everyone gets their matches and county players get a reasonable break.
If you are suggesting that county players do not play certain league games, put the proposal properly to clubs instead of putting it in the hands of individual players. 

[Considering the effort put in, I'd say they were fit enough for the club matches 2% of the players controlling the games, managers playing their star players could give the others ago and bring on the rest if needs be?]

I've asked this question a number of times on the county website without response.  Can someone explain the thinking behind the scheduling of league games less than 24 hours after the Down game.  Perhaps some consideration of player welfare might help player commitment.

Considering the effort put in, I'd say they were fit enough for the club matches 

2% of the players controlling the games, managers playing their star players could give the others ago and bring on the rest if needs be?

There you have it, utter and complete lack of respect in one post. Sacrificed there lives from January for Antrim, regardless of how it went, and for the fixtures committee not to have even the slightest awareness of player welfare is beyond contempt. Give respect, get respect my arse.

And you never got my post at all, I'm taking the piss with my first line ya muppet

I'll assume that "bring on the rest if needs be" was also a piss take.  To have a situation where players and/or clubs are having to make a decision whether to play two games in 24 hours is pathetic.

I've asked this question a number of times on the county website without response.  Can someone explain the thinking behind the scheduling of league games less than 24 hours after the Down game.  Perhaps some consideration of player welfare might help player commitment.

Before getting onto the game, the setup for last night's game was shameful.
As for the game itself, at least Lenny will have worked out by now who isn't going to cut it. Centre half back is a major problem-Antrim got back in the game twice only for St Mary's to cut through the middle for easy goals.
Having heard much about CJ and his fitness, he still has the ability to take scores from range that is lacking elsewhere in the side.

The set up?

Patrons only allowed on one side of pitch, no scoreboard, no facilities for hot drinks, no flag, no anthem...........

This was the only pitch available? where would you have preferred it? Athletic Grounds?

Cargin would have been a better venue. Jesus they even have a scoreboard!!

Before getting onto the game, the setup for last night's game was shameful.
As for the game itself, at least Lenny will have worked out by now who isn't going to cut it. Centre half back is a major problem-Antrim got back in the game twice only for St Mary's to cut through the middle for easy goals.
Having heard much about CJ and his fitness, he still has the ability to take scores from range that is lacking elsewhere in the side.

The set up?

Patrons only allowed on one side of pitch, no scoreboard, no facilities for hot drinks, no flag, no anthem...........

Before getting onto the game, the setup for last night's game was shameful.
As for the game itself, at least Lenny will have worked out by now who isn't going to cut it. Centre half back is a major problem-Antrim got back in the game twice only for St Mary's to cut through the middle for easy goals.
Having heard much about CJ and his fitness, he still has the ability to take scores from range that is lacking elsewhere in the side.

To be fair to Chris Kerr the penalty was saved rather than missed. if memory serves well it was a great save too.

Minor final to be played on Wednesday night, which suggests Ahoghill as venue - Queens would be ideal but for whatever reason we don't play games there. Thought maybe the two games could be played at separate venues today, given the weather and the forecast a double header was off the cards.

John Brennan's comments in the Irish news are as arrogant as you can get. I didn't see him falling over himself to take the Cargin job when St Galls were at their peak. To suggest Cargin are too good for Antrim is an insult. Hopefully the Tyrone champions will put them in their place

Think ur last comment underlines the real sentiment contained within the comment u make............ur eyes are possibly a darker shade of green than the Cargin top.............

Absolutely not-hats off to Cargin however their manager's comments are both insulting and daft-unless of course he thinks the county boundaries should be redrawn

To be fair to Chris Kerr the penalty was saved rather than missed. if memory serves well it was a great save too.

Minor final to be played on Wednesday night, which suggests Ahoghill as venue - Queens would be ideal but for whatever reason we don't play games there. Thought maybe the two games could be played at separate venues today, given the weather and the forecast a double header was off the cards.

John Brennan's comments in the Irish news are as arrogant as you can get. I didn't see him falling over himself to take the Cargin job when St Galls were at their peak. To suggest Cargin are too good for Antrim is an insult. Hopefully the Tyrone champions will put them in their place