Ulster Colleges

[rodney trotter]

Asked a boy this evening what the story is with Bessbrook i.e a one off great squad of players or will they stay in the top flight for a while. He toul me that they play B football in every other grade and seems to think they'll want to return to McLarnon after this year. I asked him would they be able to return to McLarnon next year if they win the MacRory final or would they have to defend their title (even though it won't be with the same players). He reckoned they will have a hard time getting back into B football next year but still thought they would be pushing for it.

I'll be supporting them anyway. Great to see a team like that coming up and getting a rattle at it.

Any reason why they don't play Macrory as knock out? - the League basis before christmass leaves players with no competitive football after December, if their team doesn't reach the quarter final.

Works in Leinster, College Level - Ryan Cup etc.

Not sure what you mean here. Having a knock out would mean some teams would have 1 match in the year. Not great.

Missing the point, I mean play a league and see whoever wins that. Like they do in Leinster, split into North and South Leinster and then all the Leinster teams are in the one draw for the Championship. They all get  competitive games in the League and then the Championship starts in Feburay.

[theticklemister]

This thread reminds of me when playing for Magee against Derry tech. The tech were beating us when one of our players shouted out..........

'ah come on day f**k boys, we're getting beat by a bunch of lads who dont have an A Level between them!!'

[Dougal Maguire]

St Joes got £250,000 last year for the provision of a new full size GAA pitch. It will be officially opened later this year. It means that for the first time the school will be able to play home matches on its own pitch. Delighted for them 

[NP 76]

Yes saw that Dougal fair play to them but only for the College giving them ground to expand it wouldnt of had the room so fair play to them also not all bad !!

[naka]

Asked a boy this evening what the story is with Bessbrook i.e a one off great squad of players or will they stay in the top flight for a while. He toul me that they play B football in every other grade and seems to think they'll want to return to McLarnon after this year. I asked him would they be able to return to McLarnon next year if they win the MacRory final or would they have to defend their title (even though it won't be with the same players.

would be disappointed if this happened,
they should stay at that level for a while even if they dont have a chance of winning it
i dont like the idea of teams joining a competition only when they think they can win it( st louis a few years ago)
jez in armagh cross have won 18 titles but there are still temas who every year for the last is have stood their ground

[Dougal Maguire]

Yes saw that Dougal fair play to them but only for the College giving them ground to expand it wouldnt of had the room so fair play to them also not all bad !!

As far as I know the land belonged to the Parish rather than the College. But regardless it's great to see St Joes get. Full size pitch and hopefully success on the pitch will follow

[Wildweasel74]

the age different is u18 to u181/2 not u-19 that some people are making out. It allows anyone within that final school year the ability to play football for the school. there were plenty at my school who couldn't play minor football for their county or club with me but still could play at colleges level.

[ross4life]

What's the low-down on St Joseph's Donaghmore?  they play Strokestown this Saturday in All Ireland C semi final.

[our_fella]

"i dont like the idea of teams joining a competition only when they think they can win it( st louis a few years ago)"

Naka, why wouldnt St.Louis return to the B comp?

In 2004 they won the MacLarnon and the B All-Ireland. In the next 3 years they competed in 2 MacRory finals and 1 Semi.. Take into consideration that they have about 25-30 players whom they can call upon on their panel?

[naka]

I feel that if you step up you take the good with the bad
Save for maghera/ college schools most of the other sides only have a smattering of titles.
But Omagh/abbey/ st mickeys etc would never think of regrading even when they have no chance in the competition

[our_fella]

Omagh having no chance in the competition?

Take a day off naka

[ranch]

I don't know why people keep talking about St. Paul's dropping down to McLarnon.

Rafferty said little over a week ago that he intends on keeping St. Paul's in the MacRory as too many good players had passed through the school and missed out on the opportunity in the past.

[Dougal Maguire]

I agree

[naka]

Omagh having no chance in the competition?

Take a day off naka

yes when omagh had no chance
i played mc crory for 3 years in the 80s( actually have a medal ) and omagh were whipping boys then
in fact it was as it is now college and maghera who were the serious contenders year in year out
never played for either

[snoopdog]

Omagh having no chance in the competition?

Take a day off naka

yes when omagh had no chance
i played mc crory for 3 years in the 80s( actually have a medal ) and omagh were whipping boys then
in fact it was as it is now college and maghera who were the serious contenders year in year out
never played for either

So your either Abbey or St Marys CBS Belfast so.