Messages

Echo the views of my Bredgagh colleague about the Minor B final; we were beaten by a more hungry Laotroim team, but some of the actions of their players (and one official) were deplorable. Two of our youngest (U15) players had to be replaced after unprovoked attacks; our goalkeeper got charged into the net in the first half and our subsitiute corner-forward who got blasted on  the head in the second half.  Also, our right-half back was struck with a hurl (and got a split nose) by one of the Laotroim officials, who was subsequently ordered from the field.

That said, Laotroim had done their homework on us and deserved their win. Granted, some of their players bullied and intimidated, but they went home with the cup that's the bottom line. We probably just need to take stock and learn from their win at all cost mentality.

Ulster Junior Hurling Club Championship @ Davitt Pk

Ballela 1.19 St. Malachys Portadown 2.8

Great result for Ballela.  Who's next? Setanta are the team to beat; really surprised me how good some of their players were in last year's Ulster JHC. Cullen/Campbell would make most senior club sides in Ulster, but I'm sure you've done your homework on them, if they are next up.

Good luck in any case; it would be a great lift for Down hurling if Ballela, Laotroim and Bellygalget could win their respective titles.

Fair play to them for sticking with Div 1 in the hope of improving their hurling but maybe Kilclief or Bredagh will want to be graded Junior next year? Both are below Ballela in the Div 1 League!

I can't see Bredagh asking to be re-graded Junior next year. Our aim is to play in both Intermediate & Junior with a seconds team. Give as many lads championship hurling as possible.

Never mind Bredagh being regraded to Junior hurling; we're after you lot in the Ards and will be competing with you at senior level in about 5 years, give or take a few.

Agree with Johnny Cool's use of the word "debacle" to describe the Down minor hurling set-up for this year. I'd suggest you could also use the words arrogant, aloof, patronising and condescending to describe the attitude of the minor management team towards the minor hurlers in Liatroim, Ballela, Ballyvarley, Warrenpoint, Newry, Kilclief, Castlewellan, Clonduff, Carryduff and Bredagh. Come to think of it I think "disgraceful" sums it up best of all. If we ever manage to close the gap between the Ards and Non-Ards hurling teams, I just hope the young hurlers in the Ards are never treated so disdainfully. 

Further to the previous postings about Danny Hughes. It is quite clear from the initial posting that this prat hasn't got the foggiest notion about the game of hurling - he should simply stick to soccer in future. 

Danny was one of Ulster's best ever hurlers and continues to be a real stand-out for Bredagh in the Down leagues and championship. Anyone (with good vision and intelligence) who has witnessed Danny hurling with Bredagh (or who has played against him) can testify that he has lost little of his strength, tenacity and ability and continues to perform superbly well for Bredagh each and every time he pulls on his adopted maroon jersey.

As a North Antrim exile, I know first hand how well Danny was/is respected in hurling strongholds throughout Ulster.  As for the dick who started this off; he probably never had the abiltiy/intelligence to play Ireland's most skillful national game.

I understand that young Hippy Donnelly is close to full fitness. Don't know if he is on the senior squad but S&W could do much worse than throw him straight in against Galway at either full-forward or full-back. He's one of the best high-fielders about and could well be the target-man that S&W are seemingly looking for.

He has been hampered with injury, but when fully fit and with a couple of more years experience he will be one of the best hurlers to come out of Antrim in recent years.

In reply to all of this pessimistic stuff about the standard of Antrim hurling. I have to say that there have been a lot of possitive develoments over the past few years. The strides made by the minors in the last couple of years is one thing, but there is assolutely no doubt that standards have risen in Div 2 and 3 and the emergence of Clooney Gaels, Cloughmills etc have been excellent developments. Also, Randalstown, Carey Faughs and Glenarm have improved significantly over the past couple of years and good strides are being made in the city too, especially at St John's, but also at St Galls, St Agnes, Sarsfields and St Theresa's, with Rossa also showing some signs of recovering their previous lofty status in Antrim hurling circles.

I have seen all of these clubs play in the past 12 months and in my opinion, there is now a far greater spread of hurling talent in Antrim than ever before.

Always look on the bright side!

   

Danny Hughes is still a superb athelete at the ripe old age of 54, but I agree with JC, his shooting wasn't his strong point.

Ballybredagh? mmmmmmmmmm

are you sure you're not talking about yourself there

Def not Danny; not even from Down and never anywhere near as good as the Hog.

Think Danny would dispute the age "54" quoted for him.

Danny Hughes is still a superb athelete at the ripe old age of 54, but I agree with JC, his shooting wasn't his strong point.

Eddie was undoubtedly Antrim's finest hurler of the last 50 years - he was at his very best in the mid-70's when he topped the NHL scoring charts for 2/3 years in succession. Played his best hurling for Antrim/Ballycastle/Ulster at centre-half-forward, was as strong as an Ox and a deadly scorer.  Won numerous games for Ballycastle/Antrim with his legendary scoring exploits.