Messages

Cheers, couple of names I would not have expected in there

Any word on who the men in the middle are for Sunday?

Does anyone know what dates the semi/quarter finals are set for across the three championships?

Incoherent email at 12:05am, were you in the Social Club when you heard this perhaps?? Hicccupppp

Well Milltown, have you received your appointments for the games yet? Some tasty ones in prospect which I am sure you will like

Are these games still going ahead? Cannot see anything on the County Website

Question to MR2 as he is our onboard refereeing cognoscenti. Who exactly is allowed inside the line. I'd have thought manager, assistant manager, physio, a designated linesman, and the club secretary or his representative to write out subs etc. That's 5. But no exaggeration I saw matches last year with a dozen or more inside. What's the ruling and what is the penalty for infringement, and have any penalties actually been enforced?

from when i was with our senior hurlers you were allowed the manager (Bainisteoir), then a runner, (Maor Fóirne) a doctor/physio and thress stickmen/water (Maoir Uisce ) which amounted to 6 plus other selectors. the only ones allowed on the pitch were the Maor Fóirne and the stickmen (2 for football and 3 for hurling)

you can have more selectors but they are supposed to be in the sub bench area and cant leave it.

championship games they are supposed to be strict about this but league it seems much looser.

To the best of my knowledge you can have.

Bainisteoir (Cannot enter the field of play)
Maor Foirne (Can enter the field of play after a score/wide of during a serious injury)
2 x Maor Uisce (Football permits 2 they must be stationed on the 45 at opposite sides of the pitch they should not enter the field)
Doctor
Physio
Club Secretary

Clubs can manipulate this by filling the Doctor and Club secretary roles with selectors and the same with Maor Uisces staying around the bench area rather than the designated areas. Generally in my experience it isn't enforced at Antrim championship games

You are spot on 7 is supposed to be the number

The problem with Antrim as with all counties is that there are far too many ego's on the line who will not listen to any officials. I have witnessed linesman getting dogs abuse for merely trying to get the line clear so they can see/run up and down. sooner the better the CB start to hand out fines

Lads does anyone have the fixtures for Div 2 & 3? it is due to start in less than 2 weeks and the County website does not have them detailed

Bannside you seem like a reasonable chap, would like to hear your views v those expressed by Roger recently

As far as opinions are concerned I am all for them, however constructive criticism as opposed to just blanket nastiness across the board is what I seek.

M Moran and O'Boyle I agree are men who have had better days, however keep games at a lower level going when others wont. McDermatt from Whitehill, I have seen him a few times and I think if the teams want to play football he will let the game go, however if teams want to engage in nonsense I will agree that he may try to take too firm grip off a game.

Tomas is a decent young ref, however will attitudes like you chase him away and McCotter et al, are they not at the wrong stage to be improved and be the difference to the future?

DID  you ever consider it might be the teams that are contributors to the spectacle and not the ref?? Also where is your solution to helping, I for one am past the age for reffing but could you pick up the whistle and be part of the solution not the problem?

For the record, let me make it clear. I have nothing but total respect for any man who gives up their time to referee our games. Its a lonely post where u commute far and near in the elements and get very little thanks for doing so. Without the officiating then there would be no games. And the genuine guys doing it for the greater good of the game or have that love for the game. Hats off to them guys!

On the other hand, referees some of which everyone will know who i am talking about, volunteer for different reasons. Some to feel significant, some to get out and about and some are pushed by their clubs. The ones who i have the gripe with, are the ones with small man syndrome, with the massive chip on their shoulder. who dont allow players and manages to question a decision or have a word. The ones who turn free flowing games into an awful spectacle and the ones who cannot admit they can make a mistake like everyone on the pitch. Who let their heart rule their head on the big occasions. Our county has had a brave few of them.

I am not talking about Toland, Laverty, McAuley or Doherty. 4 guys who i feel are very, knowledgeable, rational, fair, and who always would bring umpires when they can,  in league games which results in better referring performances as they have eyes around the pitch and can consult for the big decisions. All round makes for a better, fairer game.

Come on Mona you named the ref's you do not have a problem with, who are those that you do? Apart from MR2 that is. BTW MR2 is probably the fittest ref in the country, watching him he keeps up with the game and if you have a watch that works, I think he usually plays the correct amount of time.

Guys like you are a cancer in the Association, constant criticism with faux solutions 

Any predictions for the U21 semis this weekend? Tasty clashes all round

Have to agree with MR2 an outside man with no family names, favours to settle or friends to please can be the best for a team which wants players selected on merit

Any word on the U21 Championship draw?

Very little chat about this game, few questions need to be asked, do Moneyglass have a choke mentality or did Aldergrove just want it more ? Was the winning free for Aldergrove a bit on the soft side?