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Another dubious penalty for SevCo tonight and a free kick that no-one but the referee saw that led to the penalty.

They are winning 4-2 .. penalty not the issue. Celtic fans are obsessed with Rangers refs and SCF

I think when a team is awarded 4 penalties in one game, like last week, questions need to be asked.  3 were clearly not penalties!!

Tonight's penaly was at a crucial time in the game.  We'll keep you updated on any more dodgy decisions as the season goes on!!

I thought this was the menu for the chippy Leo?

[The DUP backed the wrong horse from the outset.]

I know Tusk must be seething underneath but jeez does this not play into Brexiteers hands!

Wee Sammy Wilson has his speak.

https://twitter.com/eastantrimmp/status/1093126875524878336

The usual 'no surrender' crap that he comes out with.

At least now he's taking it international and the rest of the world can see what we've had to put up with I suppose. 

Yes but whenever brexit is done with, Europe and Britain will forget all about the DUP and sammy and co will crawl back to the north and continue to spout their bigotry. And we'll continue to have to put up with them. And nothing will ever change.

The demographics are only going one way

https://www.ft.com/content/7d5244a0-f22d-11e8-ae55-df4bf40f9d0d

There could even be an overall catholic majority by the time of the next census which is only 2 years away in 2021, certainly it will be nearing an equal split. That is no guarantee that a border poll could be won but I think it is a definite possibility within the next 10/15 years given the moving demographics. That last census poll is 8 years old which means that in each 10 year age category up to mid 40's there is now a catholic majority. That is no guarantee of winning a border poll but I feel that a no deal Brexit would be a game changer in that respect for those in the middle.

I don't think it is sensible to be calling for a poll until the outcome of Brexit is settled but pre Brexit it was only a distant pipe dream for most nationalists, at least certainly a generation away. The DUP backed the wrong horse from the outset.

While Brexit has certainly played a massive part in the change of attitude, it's not the only factor. The DUP under Foster has literally attempted to rub the noses of nationalists/republicans in the dirt. A friend who knows a leading light in the north's business fraternity told him they had been in conversation with several DUP members who were actually shocked by how bitter Foster really is. The Shinners only grew a set and brought Stormont down because their own voters let it be known in no uncertain terms that enough was enough. Yet still the Shinners were prepared to bend the knee with the wishy-washy agreement they made to re-establish Stormont, only for Foster to stab them in the back again and renege on it after both the UDA and Orange Order let her know it was unacceptable. Foster has done more to advance Irish unity than Ian Paisley ever did, and she's done more to ensure that Stormont will never sit again. Credit where it's due... well done Arlene

Stomont, in a government way is gone forever.  Nationals are now looking towards Dublin and a new type of Ireland.

The DUP had there chance and blew it with bigotry.  The straw that broke the camel's back was the Liofa funding granr being taken away.  That was that - party over.

The next question is what are Dublin government doing to re-unite Ireland?  Not much I reckon.  Going by the big nationalist gathering in The Waterfront Hall a few weeks ago, they, the Dublin government, are well out of touch with northern nationalists.

Only positive thing is that now they know how bigoted and difficult the DUP are!!

County boards in Antrim, kerry, laois, westmeath and carlow need to vehemently oppose the new league structure for 2020. Counties ranked 9-12 will be lumped in with more counties that are 15+ points their superior. A defeat of less than 8 in a game of hurling can help weaker teams learn to hurl at a faster pace but big beatings help nobody. The current league format offers more competitive games for every county.

Top counties are arguing that its easier win an all ireland from 1B coz you can wait for a league quarter final to go up a gear. If this is the case why do 1A counties fight relegation so strongly. Experiment in the league, stay up in 1A or get relegated to the utopia of 1B. Either way hurling is not really weakened in your county. The proposed 2020 league will bring huge beatings week after week for teams ranked 9 to 12.

I don't think there's a relegation from Div. 1A this year and no promotion from 1B.  There is a relagation from 1B though...I think.

You have a point though.  Why do teams avoid relegation from a competitive 1A. while the last 2 All Ireland winners have come from 1B.

I think also that it's been a long time, possibly never, that neither of the 2 league finalists (KK & Tipp) reached the All Ireland semi final. 

Over the next few years, we'll see if it's a one off or a trend!

County boards in Antrim, kerry, laois, westmeath and carlow need to vehemently oppose the new league structure for 2020. Counties ranked 9-12 will be lumped in with more counties that are 15+ points their superior. A defeat of less than 8 in a game of hurling can help weaker teams learn to hurl at a faster pace but big beatings help nobody. The current league format offers more competitive games for every county.

Top counties are arguing that its easier win an all ireland from 1B coz you can wait for a league quarter final to go up a gear. If this is the case why do 1A counties fight relegation so strongly. Experiment in the league, stay up in 1A or get relegated to the utopia of 1B. Either way hurling is not really weakened in your county. The proposed 2020 league will bring huge beatings week after week for teams ranked 9 to 12.

It's always the top 9 counties protecting their patch.

Look at how they treated the Ring and Rackard finals - minors players from the top counties were more important

Hurling snobbery

Their in 'inner circle' in hurling now that the leagues are organised the way they are.  Hard to break into this.

First thing is Mc Donagh Cup needs live programmes and a highlights programme by itself.  TG4 should do this/be allowed to do it as it'd raise the profile of these counties and players.  Some great hurling on show in Joe Mc Donagh.

I was talking traditionally with regards to beating Kerry and co.. we've let our standards slip certainty for last 15 + years, they've improved theirs, interesting to note that theses counties wouldn't have a team that would be pushing for all Ireland club titles. Baring MLR of Carlow of course

Fair point MR.  If you are without 7/8 players, who are training for an AI club semi-final, from November onwards, then the county will suffer in the national league.  Very hard to get them back on track with the county then I think, due to a combination of reasons.

Conversely, Kerry, with no team progressing in Munster, can take a break, then focus from November onwards on the county scene.  Continuity  is hard to beat with the same panel training together from before Christmas.

Say over the last 20 years what was done incorrectly  in terms of ulster hurling?  Why didn't things move on from 20 years ago ?

I think the system has exposed the flaws.  When Antrim/Down went straight to an AI semi-final, they put up a decent show while Antrim got to final in '89.  All looked well in the garden. 

Couple this with the club scene- the great Dunloy team of the 90's getting to club finals while beating good teams from Munster and Leinster.  Everybody thought hurling in Ulster was ok.

Take away the direct route to AI inter-county semi-final and Ulster is badly exposed.  Slipping further down the liat.

I hear people saying, or have an opinion that Antrim should be beating Meath and Kerry etc. Why should they be thinking that?  Tradition?  It's a bit like people saying Derry shouln't be in Div. 4 in the football - they say they're too good to be there!  What's that about?  They're there because they deserve to be there. Meath have done great work at underage, so  have Kerry. 

Positively, good work is going on in Ulster, new regional clubs are being formed in various counties.  We can't be too negative!!  People may laugh at this (hurling snobbery if you will) but Cavan seniors are back hurling at inter county level.  They won last week - that's a positive.

Beat New Zealand and Irish press put us out at no. 1 forgetting that's at the end of their long season. We been poor the day

Jesus!!

The same way we didn't win the WC beating NZ we haven't lost it today. As I've said no injuries is the main aim of the 6N.

In fairness the English have been better... there's not much between the top teams and England are up there. It's not the end of the world!

Will do no harm.  Save the pain for later in year. 6N should be used to give lads game time and work on things.

WC is main thing this year.  Keep fresh for it and have a full squad. Remember Ireland's teams will have knock out games in Europen Cup etc.

Great chance for this highly talented squad in WC - it should be the priority in 2019.

Good win last night and results went our way need to win game in hand for a wee cushion before valencia match,somthing doesnt add up with rodgers comments about croatian winger being signed he doesnt seem to want or know about this deal.Whos signing these players Lawwell?

New Rangers awarded 4 penalties today. That's what Celtic will be up against for the rest of the season.

A certain Mr. Dallas as referee!

The question is what does amateur mean in a gaa context?

Why would that be relevant here? If it suits for both teams then it's gonna work well. The players love friday evening games as it means they can have night out on the saturday. They're all young lads so a saturday night out or 2 over the season is great.

I'm only stating that people use the 'amateur' status of the GAA in times like this to say they'd have to take the Friday off etc but I'm with you. If both counties are happy on a Friday night and it suits everyone- then go for it.

The question is what does amateur mean in a gaa context?

yes and maybe they  can find jobs that dont work on fridays lol

I think it'd work if it involved 2 local counties. They play Mc Kenna Cup games at 8pm mid-week.  Lads must get off work and they're not home to midnight!

Four clubs but a lot of juvenile games are played locally with other counties, Carlow have are an hour or do journey from Dublin so a lot of commuters living in Carlow rather Dublin which helps build clubs, Laois Kildare going immense work also,while Offaly need to be re-woken..

Antrim Down Derry need yo be pushing.. yes it's a journey it's time consuming but the rewards at the end is simple, quicker sharper hurling, kids developing better physically and mentally. Fear of playing bigger teams at senior level is gone..

The biggest disaster is not competing at school level, those teams are a hive of hurling while ours are not..

To compete at Joe Mc D level is some achievement with only 4 senior clubs.  They are consistent.  Compare to Antrim and Derry etc. with 2/3 times the number of clubs.

Granted, they are hurling clubs only and that's where the 'issue' is!   Derry clubs are dual clubs for the most part and football will be No. 1.  L'giel, C'dall and Ballycastle are hurling clubs with Dunloy primarily hurling with a great football underage set over recent years.

No problem with football being No.1 but I do have a problem when the fixtures are so badly planned that kids are forced to chose one over the other. That does not need to happen and happens far too often.
I've had games cancelled with dual clubs due to a football fixture being moved by a regional board to suit a development squad or other. That shouldn't happen and Croke Park need to insist that the Football No.1 County Boards set aside slots for dual clubs to take part in hurling unimpeded by football.
There's your starting point.

Then improve fixtures for clubs. The Tain league is a farce, don't need to say more.

Antrim CB are picking up the slack of other negligent county boards and asleep at the wheel Ulster Council, with teams from Down, Derry, Tyrone and Armagh looking to get into their leagues at underage and adult?

Martin Fogarty and some of his predecessors really need to start shaking the tree in Ulster as this bullshit visit once every blue moon is token gesture-ism of the highest order.

Someone needs to look at the structures of hurling in Ulster rather than run some fancy dan coaching courses once in a while.

I hear what you are saying JC and totally agree but the football counties will always put football at the top.  That's life.

The issue with Táin league is it's for the hurling clubs in 'weaker 'counties - i always see loads of game conceded during the summer.  Not sure why - football clashes?  Be good to see how many games are actually played in it.

Re: Antrim league, esp. Div. 1 it's a good league.  The reason the Táin league wouldn't work at a higher level is Antrim teams and 3 Ards teams wouldn't buy into it.  Why would they when their league is as good as it is already.

Therefore other counties see no value in a Táin league if Antrim and PF, BC and BG are not in it.

Geography plays a huge part I know that, surrounding counties are strong and college and school hurling at s higher level also, do other than moving to bordering Kilkenny what's left?

Structures at club level have shown that club teams compete at all levels.. it's that step up to county level that proves the hardest, and why do Antrim have struggle to get athletic big skillfull hurlers (or football) ?  Not winning primary ball or secondary ball was evident on Saturday but it's the same most years as we (in the main) can't physically win those tussles..

Club teams will always have a chance in All Ireland series i.e. to get to the club final as it's set up to suit Ulster teams in fairness.

If the Ulster club champions had to play Galway champs in quarter-final etc. to get to club All Ireland semi-final, it would be be tricky enough.

Rubbish Dunloy has beaten many a Top team to get to final. Loughgiel also, Cushendall to once.

How many Ulster teams have won the club All Ireland? I'm from Ulster!

The set up suits Ulster teams.

Loughgiel twice but  other clubs have reached the all Ireland final a total of 7 times   

Dunloy 4 times,

Ruairi Og, McQuillan, O Donovan Rossa once each ,

What I was saying is the current system suits Ulster clubs re: AI club semi-finals. On a good day, they'll beat the Munster champions in Parnell Pk etc. 

Conversely how many times have Antrim/Down reached the All Ireland final since they changed the system i.e. provinical winners go straight into semi-final?

I'm actually surprised the Leinster and Munster haven't kicked up a fuss about this system to change it to a system similar to the minor system.

Four clubs but a lot of juvenile games are played locally with other counties, Carlow have are an hour or do journey from Dublin so a lot of commuters living in Carlow rather Dublin which helps build clubs, Laois Kildare going immense work also,while Offaly need to be re-woken..

Antrim Down Derry need yo be pushing.. yes it's a journey it's time consuming but the rewards at the end is simple, quicker sharper hurling, kids developing better physically and mentally. Fear of playing bigger teams at senior level is gone..

The biggest disaster is not competing at school level, those teams are a hive of hurling while ours are not..

To compete at Joe Mc D level is some achievement with only 4 senior clubs.  They are consistent.  Compare to Antrim and Derry etc. with 2/3 times the number of clubs.

Granted, they are hurling clubs only and that's where the 'issue' is!   Derry clubs are dual clubs for the most part and football will be No. 1.  L'giel, C'dall and Ballycastle are hurling clubs with Dunloy primarily hurling with a great football underage set over recent years.