Messages

Very little talk about Sunday. 

I heard Kevin Nibblock is back on board.

I think hes paid by the Ulster Council, which would rule him out.

All ive heard is that shes a Dub.

The following  coaching personnel are now in post:

Games Development Manager –Ciara Ferry
Hurling Development Officer – Kieran Megraw
Hurling  Development Coordinator – Dominic Mc Kinley

They can be contacted at the county Coaching Office in Casement Park

Does this mean "Woody" will not be involved with the county hurling management as he is now a paid coach?

games called off already in the county!!!! what was the reason?

just read game was played (11 each) and it ended with Conor Murray left in an Ambulance with a suspected broken leg. not good for Antrim if true (hope not)

Your right game was played.
Murray injured himself landing in the first minute. Fracture and ligament damage. Also heard his brother Kevin was sent off and the match was blow-in up early with fisticuffs from Terry Reilly and Mark Lynch.

Anyone know who won the Gorts LD match last night in Division 2? Cheers

Will be an interesting Division 2 this year.

I dont think this game was played.

[There are players in that team who know that no matter what they will start every week.]

How can they keep picking the same players who have been playing so poorly week in week not just this year, but over the last three years.
There are players in that team who know that no matter what they will start every week. The previous results should now hit home that certain players need to get out of their little comfort zones.

I hope that Dublin is the last thing that these boys are thinking about. I fear that we could get beat by Laois, I really do. All I can say is dont quit.

Very true.

[Indisciplined Antrim beaten by Carlow in NHL Div 2]

Indisciplined Antrim beaten by Carlow in NHL Div 2

Antrim hurlers unbeaten run in Division 2 of the Allianz National Hurling League came to an abrupt end at Dr Cullen Park on Sunday when they were beaten by three points by Carlow after a scrappy and undisciplined display.
Facing a stiff breeze in the opening half Antrim started reasonably well but their lost their way as the half progressed and the dismissal of full-back Cormac Donnelly for a yellow card offence and goalkeeper Ryan McGarry for a straight red offence dealt their chances a heavy blow.
Antrim were now in disarray and before the break they conceded a second goal when Carlow substitute pulled a ground stroke to the net after good work by the home side's best player Paudi Kehoe.
Eight points behind at the break Antrim looked like they could close the gap as they started the second half with much more vigour, but their insistence to go for goals when easy points were there for the taking cost them dearly.
A series of points from frees by Paul Shiels saw them close the gap to a single point at one stage, but the concession of a third goal and the loss of Paddy Richmond from another straight red card all but killed off the fight-back.
Substitute Neil McManus did manage to grab a late goal from a penalty but it was too little too late and Carlow held on for a deserved win, a result which all but ends Antrim's promotion chances.

Colm Fleming couldn't make the u21 side, but comes on as a sub for the seniors? 

i heard a lot of the under 21's were dropped for tonights game. what happened there?

The devil drink?

Going to the Hatfield on Thursday night instead of training and leaving an abusive voice mail to a Mr.Bradley.

On Target.

Antrim 3- 19 London 0-4


Antrim senior footballers took one more small but significant step forward tonight, when they met and comprehensively defeated a comparatively weak London team, at Casement Park. It is tempting to suggest that London, tonight, triggered memories, for this writer at least, of some past performances of a fragmented and much weaker Antrim team than we have today. London had all too many scoring opportunities but seemingly could not find the target. It is perhaps enough said to suggest that the London forward line were not confident.

By contrast Antrim half backs, mid fielders half forwards and forwards, almost without exception were frequently demonstrating their new found skills and coordinated team work and in direct consequence were involved in successfully attacking a vulnerable London defence. In all ten Antrim players racked up scores; that again has to be an impressive performance by any standards, weaker opposition notwithstanding.

Bradley's lads are improving measurably and performing well. These are early days, with tougher trials to come – Antrim players are under no illusions.  There is much still to do and horn-blowing or back-slapping are not options. But even the begrudger's should be coming around to wondering, what is going on, or even thinking that there are signs of some real progress taking place within Antrim's recent  efforts. It will probably take more than that for some but promotion was a goal at outset; it is now within sight and concentration on finishing the task is  the immediate imperative. Come out and give them your full support.

Antrim players are increasingly able to demonstrate their structured training, in terms of there being more in evidence of good team-work with a better understanding of the advantages of having good set pieces and drill disciplines, which help keep the ball moving forward quickly. The availability of a strong back-up, by way of additional honed players, keen to get on board at any opportunity, adds a positive dimension to the Antrim side. Colm Fleming took his opportunity to impress tonight,as a late sub, with a very well taken goal. This is another case of  a good job well done – keep going - you are right on target. 

The following players featured in Antrim's win tonight:
Paddy Cunningham 1-06, Michael Pollock 1 - 02 , Colm Fleming 23 _{1 – 00 , Tomás Mc Cann 0 - 3 , Mark Dougan 0 – 2 , Deaghlan O'Hagan 0- 1 , James Loughrey 0 – 1 ,Dara Edwards 0 -1 ,  Aodhan Gallagher 0 – 1 ,Kevin Brady 0 – 1 and Patrick Carey 0 –
Lawrence Smyth County PRO}

[Antrim Team For The U21 Championship V Tyrone]

Antrim Team For The U21 Championship V Tyrone               17 March 2009

1.Peter Graham  Kickhams
2.Daryl Mc Alernon Aghagallon
3.Dermot Mc Cann  Kickhams
4.Chris Mc Veigh  Aldergrove
5.Mark Mc Aleese Portglenone
6.Sean Hasson Rasharkin
7.Patrick Gallagher Glenavy
8.Sean Burke St.Galls
9.Gerard Mc Cann Cargin
10.Justin Crozier Cargin (Captain)
11.C.J.Mc Gourty St.Galls
12.Ryan Doyle Moneyglass
13.Mark Sweeney St.Brigids
14.Nial Mc Keever Portglenone
15.Conor Murray Lamh Dhearg

Subs 16.Paudie Magee Rossa 17.Kevin Cunningham St.Johns
18.Patrick Fitzpatrick Sarafields 19.Paudie Lowe St.Pauls
20.Thomas Mc Cann Kickhams 21.Paul Mc Cann Cargin
22.Nial Mc Alea Sarsfields 23.Sean Redmond Tir Na Nog
24.Odhran Mc Larnon Kickhams 25.Mark Magowan St.Galls
26.Colm Fleming Rossa 27.Aiden Gribben St.Galls
28.Peter Owens St.Galls

To think these idiots are educated.

Whats happening?

Students rioting. One female arrested.

I see our friends from the bogs are at it again. The police should send in raiding parties and knock the dung out of these f**kers.

Typical. Culchies who cant handle their drink in the Big Smoke.

[Antrim Extend Unbeaten Run - Carlow 1.11 Antrim 4.14]

From county website:

Antrim Extend Unbeaten Run - Carlow 1.11 Antrim 4.14          15  March 2009

[Antrim Extend Unbeaten Run - Carlow 1.11 Antrim 4.1415]

From county website:

Antrim Extend Unbeaten Run - Carlow 1.11 Antrim 4.1415             March 2009

Antrim footballers kept their promotion prospects on target with a big win over a poor Carlow outfit at Dr Cullen Park today. 

While the result was never in doubt after a blistering opening 15 minutes when Antrim raced into a 9 point lead, this was probably as poor an opposition Antrim will face this season, apart from Kilkenny.

The straight red card for Carlow's centre forward Derek Hayden at the beginning of the second half certainly didn't help their attempts to drag themselves back into this game but for much of this match Antrim were cruising.  Frustratingly for the few travelling supporters, there did not seem to be any great urgency to improve their score difference, something they might well rue at the end of this league campaign.

Conditions were almost perfect in the spring sunshine apart from a blustery breeze and if anything it did favour the Saffrons in the first half. They certainly took advantage of this with early ball delivered into the full forward line that created mayhem in the porous Carlow defence. Kevin Brady was the architect-in-chief setting up Mark Dougan for 2 goals with Conor McGourty adding a third.  Although Brady didn't get himself onto the score-sheet, he was giving his marker Vinny Kavanagh a torrid time creating space for both the full and half forwards to all grab scores. Tomas McCann was particularly influential in the opening quarter nicking 2 points including one from the 45.

Having raced into what seemed to be an unassailable 9 point lead, Antrim failed to turn complete domination of every sector of the field to extend this advantage. Instead Carlow, despite 4 first half wides gradually began to pick off points. Mark Dougan had another goal bound shot blocked inside the small square and Conor McGourty missed from a crazy angle that he does occasionally hit the target from. The Glensmen did manage further points from Kevin McQuillan and Michael McCann to lead by 3.07 to 0.08 at half time.

The second half began much in the same way as the first with Antrim dominating the opening exchanges. However, poor finishing and another 3 wides failed to trouble the score-board and in fact it was Carlow who scored the first point in the second period. Much to Antrim manager Liam Bradley's frustration, Antrim were playing laterally and inevitably gave away far too much possession but again Carlow's shooting was woeful with a further 5 wides in the second half. Once Carlow's most influential player Hayden received his marching orders for questioning the referee's eyesight in a none too decorous manner, the game degenerated into little more than a poor training match.

Mark Dougan did grab another goal and a point but worryingly for Antrim panic was again evident when defending inside their own 45.  Colin Brady did concede a penalty which was converted by Carlow mid-fielder John Murphy, but the game was way beyond their reach at this stage. Amazingly Offaly referee Damian Brazil gave the home side another penalty despite the fact that the player fouled was as close to the large square in Kilkenny's Nowlan Park as to the Antrim square in Dr Cullen Park. However, veteran goal-keeper Sean McGreevy saw that this injustice went unrewarded with a brilliant save. Antrim's McGourty bagged the last point for Antrim to seal comprehensive 4.14 to 1.11 win.

Next up for Antrim is London in Casement Park on Saturday evening and they will undoubtedly have taken cognisance of the Exiles one point win over Waterford this weekend. Leitrim's 2 point win over Wicklow means that promotion essentially is still possible for Sligo, Leitrim and Antrim. Provided the Glensmen make no mistakes next weekend, the game with Sligo in a couple of weeks will probably be a league decider.

However, those defensive frailties may yet prove to be their undoing and it would seem that they do miss the presence of Andy McLean and Sean Kelly to provide confidence in this sector.

Antrim
1.Sean McGreevy 2.Colin Brady 3.Sean McVeigh 4.Kevin O'Boyle 5.Tony Scullion 6.Declan O'Hagan 7.Justin Crozier (0.01) 8.Michael McCann (0.01) 9.Aodhan Gallagher (0.01) 10.James Loughery (0.01) 11.Tomas McCann (0.02 – 1 45) 12.Kevin McQuillan (0.01) 13.Conor McGourty (1.04 – F2) 14.Mark Dougan (3.01) 15.Kevin Brady
Subs: P. Carey for Loughery (inj), D. Edwards (0.01) for M. McCann, M. Pollock (0.01) for McQuillan, A. Douglas for C. Brady, P. Cunningham for K. Brady

Carlow
1.James Clarke 2.Kieran Nolan 3.Shane Redmond 4.Vinny Kavanagh 5.John Hayden 6.Liam Murphy 7.Evan Doyle 8.David Phelan (0.01) 9.John Murphy (1.01) 10.Ray Walker (0.02) 11. Derek Hayden (0.03 – F3) 12.Mark Carpenter (0.01 – F1) 13.Brian Murphy (0.01) 14.Wille Minchin 15.J.J. Smith
Subs: E. McCormick (0.02) for Smith (Yellow Card), A. Curran for S. Redmond, D. Molloy for R. Walker, S. Rea for McCormick (Yellow Card)