Antrim Football Thread

[jdyok]

very well said Bannside...

[Gizzy15]

Tony belonged to a different era. In his hey day he was one of the biggest names in Ulster football, never mind Antrim. He was a regular on Railway cup teams when a that competition drew crowds of thirty thousand, and a medal was up there with an All -Ireland.

I played alongside Tony in his latter years when he moved to live in Ballymena, and although he would have been forty plus, Tony would have been winning all the dirty ball and setting things up on a plate for us. He was instrumental in dragging All Saints, as a player and later a manager from divisions four three and two, into division one of the Antrim league.

Often that Sunday activity was preceded by a Saturday at Eaton Park where Tony lined out for the seconds, then thirds, then fourths and fifths until he was almost fifty years of age. Naturally this was followed by manys a Saturday night of heavy socialising, and then of course all good to go again on the Sunday with All Saints. Ready for the battle with anyone looking to take advantage of some of us lightweight corner forwards.

How many times did he win all sorts of hospital balls, only to lay them up for others to look good. He was that sort of man. Big in every way. A giant of our times. Thanks for the memories Tony.

Didn't know him but knew of him if you know what I mean, sounds like a legend of his time, sorry to hear of his and his family's loss,

RIP

[Milltown Row2]

Great stuff bannside. For Antrim to progress a strong Ballymena club would certainly help matters!

Was at the match on Sunday, what a big team Ballymena are at that age level, what kids are eating nowadays I could have done with myself

Anyways they have a few decent lads and should do well in the Felie competition. As for translating that into senior well that's another story. I thought though they maybe had too many 'managers' on the line all sorts of instructions being shouted out when not needed in fairness, I now we all get hot headed sometimes but cool heads make cool decisions.

[AQMP]

OK somebody has to say it...BAKER OUT!!

[orangeman]

I thought Antrim were certs to be promoted - and I mean pure certs.

[AQMP]

It was bad with Jody Gormley but this is far worse.

WTF is going on?

Imagine the reaction had Frank Dawson presided over this league "campaign"!!  He'd have been chased down the Andytown Road a couple of games ago.

[glens abu]

It was bad with Jody Gormley but this is far worse.

WTF is going on?

Imagine the reaction had Frank Dawson presided over this league "campaign"!!  He'd have been chased down the Andytown Road a couple of games ago.

Absolute disgrace and think CB need to take a look at themselves when they allow someone like Tyrone Eastwood to make decision as to who manages the county team.Baker had his couple of years in the sun but left with his team in decline so why bring him back.Hope Brendan can explane the reasoning for that.

[glens abu]

I see the other Baker boy our great coach Paddy is tweeting that league means nothing only for playing in, championships are for winning  ::)I hope he is right this time as a couple of months ago sure winning Div4 was a formality.

[CSC]

It was bad with Jody Gormley but this is far worse.

WTF is going on?

Imagine the reaction had Frank Dawson presided over this league "campaign"!!  He'd have been chased down the Andytown Road a couple of games ago.

Absolute disgrace and think CB need to take a look at themselves when they allow someone like Tyrone Eastwood to make decision as to who manages the county team.Baker had his couple of years in the sun but left with his team in decline so why bring him back.Hope Brendan can explane the reasoning for that.

What's the Tyrone Eastwood ref about GA

[glens abu]

It was bad with Jody Gormley but this is far worse.

WTF is going on?

Imagine the reaction had Frank Dawson presided over this league "campaign"!!  He'd have been chased down the Andytown Road a couple of games ago.

Absolute disgrace and think CB need to take a look at themselves when they allow someone like Tyrone Eastwood to make decision as to who manages the county team.Baker had his couple of years in the sun but left with his team in decline so why bring him back.Hope Brendan can explane the reasoning for that.

What's the Tyrone Eastwood ref about GA

Well he sat on the interview panel and dug his heels in for the Baker to be given the job and our weak county chairman gave into him and made it happen.the term football and snipe shooting comes to mind.

[country bumpkin]

I have never heard such vitriolic rubbish than that spouted by several on the current county management probably emanating from ditch men who were not at the last game, and who possibly do not know how to get to creggan.
If in fact in attendance did those 'experts' not see that we were missing quite a few regulars and in a 'dead rubber' situation such was a good managerial decision as the explore the depth of the bench with the championship on the horizon.
If there was an All Ireland title for complaining sure we would be visiting the capital quite frequently.
Sure the management can only work with what is available and although I may be quite dim I certainly am most familiar with football affairs in the county I just cannot come up with any talented footballers (those who have decided not to make themselves available, Gallagher, Kelly etc excluded) who could replace those in the present squad.
Time to give the present management a break.

[stibhan]

Think Baker will only have to have his squad dawdling on the ground to be a huge improvement on what went before.

'perspective'

[bannside]

Country you are some bumpkin alright.

The "Vitriol" you speak of is practically non existent in terms of comparison to what any manager would get in any self respecting county who wants to be competitive. If there was a league table for vitriol we would be at the bottom of that table as well.

Where is this unbelievable level of vitriol you speak of? I know a lot of very pissed off Antrim supporters who havent opened their mouth, but who loyally put up with mediocre year after year. If anything we should be making a lot more of a nuisance, because by saying nothing some people might get the impression that all is ok. Its not okay, its rotten to the core and if you have any offence at what I say CB or want to flush things out a bit then I am your man. What we have been served up in RECENT years, by our county officers with regard to football has been nothing short of a disgrace.

Until we DO stand up and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH we will continue to get people making football decisions who are totally unqualified to do so. So far out of their depth that its criminal. And for the rest of us to sit idly by and watch this happen is even worse again.

A vote of no confidence cant be far away, that's how bad it is. Exactly what might actually happen in other counties WHO ACTUALLY CARE.

I mean how long can this charade go on?

[bannside]

Sincere congratulations to Cavan on winning their fourth Ulster U-21 title in a row.

When our seniors destroyed them in Clones in 09, Cavan football was at an all time low.

This instigated a football committee overseeing new structures, level of support, quality of coaching, and attention to detail. Businesses saw the sea change too and rolled in behind. They invested their hard earned cash in the new professional structures. They saw the plan and backed it.

This plan  involved making minor and Under-21 priority "areas" of development. And last night was further evidence of that progression curve. And meanwhile their senior team delivers get promotion into Division two with seven wins out of seven!

Well done to them. It shows what can be done with proper vision and leadership. Something Antrim are severely lacking.

[country bumpkin]

hear what you are saying Bannside...........but..............democracy is a serious weapon, and in response I would hear the CB say 'put your name forward and let the people decide'.
As for vitriol in those comments on our present management sure i have yet to see any of those involved kicking a single ball thus far (perhaps we would be better served if they had).
Face the facts Bannside we just do not have the talent and I see you do not make comment as to which individuals you feel would bring improvement.
A couple of clubs are way ahead of the pack in our county and it is a fact that the top division is miles ahead of the rest.............which team in division two would even give St Galls, Cargin, or L Dhearg a game?