Messages

Rate Gill very highly HS, def another worth a look at, at a higher level, but didnt really get on to my radar last night. Maybe it was me not looking hard enough!

Saw two c`ship games, both intermediate.

Ahoghill and All Saints good close fought game, plenty local rivalry, and then the PL factor. Ballymena won by a few points with some good performances. Good to see the two Walshes out going well, Aidan and Tiernan, and Peter Mc Nicholl, a player with great talent, ex international baskerballer, and not far short of county standard. Having said that lowly Ahoghill made them fight every inch of the way.

Also at Moneyglass V Glenavy on Sunday. A really polished performance from Moneyglass that would have beaten most senior teams. To beat Glenavy by 13, who had earlier put away Rossa easily, was no mean feat. Kevin Brady rolled back the years, pulling all the strings, top class, with very impressive displays by big Mc Keefrey and Kevin Marron, now possibly the strongest midfield pairing in the county. Also impressed with Ryan Doyle at full forward and would see Ryan Boyd a good player with a few pounds off.

Apparently Glenavy had three big players absent, inc Dominic Gallagher, and thats a big loss to any side. Impressed with Conor Creaney and Neil Mc Cann, poss one for the future.

Moneyglass to go well in Ulster intermediate on last nights performance.

Hardstation, we would kind of know the St Galls players at this stage, but did any St Johns players step up yesterday, look like potential co players. Bam, Mc Glinch, Kelly etc?

When you think he managed six different ulster counties, in the days when it really would have been for the love of the game! They dont make them like that any more, thats for sure. A unique man in many ways. Way ahead of his time.

Good business conducted today if Maloney back and Sno finally out of his (our) misery. Big Evander just couldnt get his act together at all at Celtic. Would be surprised if he ever makes Ajax 11.

Maloney to score 12 plus from midfield.

May the spirit, passion, and enthusiasm of Paddy O Hara be remembered tomorrow, Wed am, as a true Antrim great is laid to rest.
As a player, a coach and manager, a journalist, an ambassador, a gael, and a person, Paddy O Hara had few equals. May he rest in peace.

I know Maroon Heaven GDA, pm me and I will be in Belfast tomorrow ad could pass on a message to him. Havent seen him on the board for quite a while now. In fact I might even have his mobile no somewhere.

Havent been to citigolf meself, but always meant to try it out (for the laugh).

If I thought that Cargin and St Galls would go at each other full pelt tonight I would go to the game. Mc Cartan will want to set down his own marker, and Sheeny wont want shown up on home soil, so could be worth the admittance money.

Was at casement for the minor semis, and the un-official showdown between young mc larnon and young fleming, a very interesting side affair.

Creggan and Cargin the making of a good final.

Raff led them there, in pristine shape, and quite a few players underperformed on the day. It happens, players freeze - big occasion and all that. Would be very surprised if the St Galls players, retrospectfully, placed any blame for their inability to kick scores from 30 yards, at the door of John Rafferty. Apart from that he had the game in the bag.

He trusted his players to perform, the ground work was done, and I think its inconcievable that any St Galls players will look back and say that Raff was anything less than a huge success.

Slaughtneil may also say that too before the year is out, and lets not forget this is a was JODY a success or not thread.

Max must have gone to bed, so we`ll not know if he wnts JODY on his Derry shortlist or not. Good win for Lamhs tonight, was at it.

O Neill, whats the crack with the AIF. You saying that the loss that day down to John Rafferty?

Jesus man, he led a team to the holy grail for them to screw it up dramatically by hitting wide after wide.

Totally outplayed Salthill, but threw it away.

Up to then organisation superb, and demolition of Nemo the best I have ever witnesses from ANY club side.

The winners of him and Madden will win Derry this year and I have never hear anyone speak of him in anything less than revered tones.

Rafferty or Madden for Antrim.

Max, you can think of a dozen men who could take Derry further on up the line, from a seven to a nine, than Paddy Crozier, nice man that he is.

I can think of a dozen who could take Antrim further up the line, from a three to a six.

Paddy Crozier a punt that didnt work.

Jody a bigger punt that didnt work.

simple as.

Jody for Derry?? Would he be high on your shortlist. second time to ask that question?

Max, taking things to a new professional level, your hole. The dressing room lost a long time ago, how professional is that? What professionalism are you talking about?

Would you be wanting him on your shortlist for the Derry job?

A simple yes or no would suffice?

Talk to a few St Galls players who could compare him with John Rafferty for example, and see how they would class his "professionalism" versus a top man like Raff.

Or if Mama dosent get another year, you will always get Jodys number off Paddy Heaney for the Tones shortlist!

Dont miss too many, but couldnt get the interest level up high enough to make the trip to belshaft, especially with Monaghan and Donegal going to the wire live on telly. Heard it was poor stuff, further evidence we have not progressed one inch, but it gets us into a final, and we should be much more motivated for this one that Wicklow. Fair play to the lads for putting in the effort.

Who showed up well, did anyone have a good game?

When will venue be announced for final, anyone know?

Mickey Moran has the type of CV we need to be checking out, and would be an excellent candidate. A brilliant coach, well respected with the added bonus of two years working with a division one club team. def one for the short list. But would Mickey be interested in Antrim? I wonder
does he think we have the players to make an impact, or would he agree with Jodys sentiments that Antrim football is where its at for a reason, and thats our realistic level?

I`d say last nights beating was the lowest point of S/W`s tenure.

Would have been fairly loyal to them in the past, in a message board type of way, but cant get much lower than this.

Best hurling I`ve seen all year, fitness, cohesion, intensity, etc, was from our minors.

Large question marks appearing all over the place, and the good Doc will be judged on his ability to deal effectively with two particularly dire senior teams, and two particularly bad u-21 teams, in the last two years.

Stand up Doc. Time to be having you!

In any county with a bit of savvy, no. The man has absolutely no idea, not a clue.

In Antrim, who knows! Anything is possible. Throw a mile radius of Casement one more time and you wouldnt know what youd get.
PJ for the third time. Whitey, Ray Mc Donnell, Grievisie again, Aidan Thornberry, God knows what would turn up.

The review of our senior management positionsis, by far the biggest test of our county board, who up to now have enjoyed unprecedented support. Time for strong, radical leadership, and not the mickey mouse plan B thats going about.

Has to go back to the clubs. If any club wishes to propose Jody for another year, thats fine, thats democracy, lets have the debate. One thing for sure, no amateur quick fix this time round. Saffron sweep tickets hard enough to sell!

Take Sept and Nov and throw the net far and wide, short list and interview half a dozen, and lets get it right this time. Or else just go fo Whitey and Rogy now and we`ll all just pack it in and go away.

Nothing against Whitey or Rogy. Both great Antrim men. But this time round we really do need to have the debate, and to shortlist the very best. If Whitey and Rogy come out top of the pile, then we can live with that. Even they will have the soundness to respect that process.

But we must go into overdrive to get the very best, and support them fully in every way.

No unproven, schoolboy managers please. Nothing less than a proven CV will be tolerated. End of !