Messages

MR2 please dont take it as i was comparing refs to priests of the 70's.  Absolutely not, i was just remarking on the forums sensitivity, to any statements made regarding refs. thats all. It all adds to the banter after all

One point to make on the whole situation though from my own perspective. Obviously its a thankless job and thats reflected by the now demand we have for refs in the county. But we have now players and managers at club level who now train 4-6 nights a week between gym and s&c sessions and a total shift to a more professional environment. 10 years ago nobody would have seen the huge transformation in our games and the effort it takes to participate at any grade of senior level. There are Irish league teams/players not doing near what gaa clubs/players are doing training wise. So i think its fair when people are asking and raising concerns about the fitness of refs especially at senior level as the reffing needs to be in line with the damands of the modern game. I know from watching games around the county and seeing what goes on, thats not the case in some occasions. Overall we have more good refs than not so good. There are refs who wouldnt get a senior game in other counties due to fitness levels, age and theirimplementation of the rules. Now on the same breathe i would never name these people or try to belittle them individually as i take my hat off for stepping up when no one else does but its defintely an elephant in the room scenario that people arent keen on talking about.

Before i get the "put your name forward before saying that about men out trying their best" comments, let me just say i know myself i would make a horrible ref

No all comments are fine and we've younger ref's coming through who are wanting to push up the ladder and do intercounty and so on, fitness levels is important and keeping up to the modern players is difficult but I know of at least 10/12 lads that have decent enough fitness levels that are not intercounty.

We won't get every call and even the fittest ref can't be in the ruck of players and seeing everything, but he'll do his best

MR2 10/12 lads is just not not enough in a county the size of ours and the number of games to be played in both codes, and yes some younger lads are coming through. However a lot of lads and I do know this fail the written tests regular as well as the bleep test. You referred to it on previous posts, what is the test as there are a few and what is the level that has to be attained. The reason I ask is that lads are committing 4-5 nights a week to play only, referees are paid now and for those who are popular or are naturally good referees walk away at the end of the year with a tidy sum or half yearly, and yes that could mean 30+ games but thats their choice after all. So to be fair clubs and players should expect their officials to be fit enough to see a game through 60 minutes. I remember Ray Matthews, Owen Elliott, Garrett Duffy , Eamon Hasson all training through the winter/christmas to pass a bleep test and exams for years. Where did these lads go all of a sudden, Elliott referees in Derry why not Antrim?

Riddle me this and riddle me that.

Say what you mean and mean what you say!

Hasn't a clue what he is on about on any level of this discussion. Therefore refers to innuendo and riddles trying to hide this.

Most people are aware of the mistakes made around the closing of the ground, which to some extent could have been avoided.

The debate has moved on now and it should be about how we now get this project moving and get the groundworks moving. The damage is done in terms of access etc which I argued about at the time, but we need something in place so we go ahead with the overall plan.

Well said NAG1, 6 companies made the final tender process with their teams working on the bids for months, engaging & meeting with all stakeholders including the residents etc to make their final bid at a reasonably large cost. For those out there that feel that this project can just pic up where it left off (or just make it smaller), just like those clowns in the big house did after 3 years sitting on their arse getting paid would be mistaken.
The project will have major variants from the original successful bid design so in short it will be no doubt Jr'd by a number of the losing bid teams. So we are looking at potential exemplar design re-issued for an open bid process again. In Norn Ireland that'll probably take at least 24months etc etc etc. Riddles & Innuendo -Please

Now we would be looking at stadium hosting major events, externally and internally like:

Concerts
Belfast Feile
Ard Fheis
Ulster Championship
Major Events/Conferences
Antrim Gaa
Advice Centre 
SOCCER

So where do you think Antrim Gaa are going to sit in all that? Do you really think they are taking and making decisions about most of the above! Bit of theme running through some of those potential events also

Note to WhatwillB. I can say with total 100% certainty that Antrim have not sold the naming rights of Casement Park.
That's from the very highest authority.

You're totally in the wrong paddock Bannside, never once said it was to do with the stadium or the naming of it. Come on I credit you with more intelligence, and highest authority !  Please 

There is a degree of merit in your claims WhatwillB.

Under the remit of Colie Donnelly a three man delegation made up of Saffron Business Forum members were approved by CC (and club delegates) to meet with Ulster Council Officials and indeed GAA, to discuss matters pertaining to stadium management etc. During the course of these discussions the matter of naming rights was on the agenda. Nothing was agreed, the stadium delay pushed back the necessity to make decisions.

It may well be true that this matter has resurfaced under the current coiste bainiste, and if so (I reiterate the word IF) then it is certainly very recent and still in development mode. There are a few top Antrim officials who are not aware of it, let's put it that way!

I have it on very good authority that Antrim's proud association with the memory of Roger Casement will remain intact, regardless of where the funding comes from.

Bannside, It's politics now, can you get that good authority to advise you what was the final figure paid by Croker to own our name and what happened that fee? I don't make claims, just call it as it is. I appreciate that your involvement and peoples knowledge of who you are within the hallowed corridors of Hannastown may stifle your responses and once again credit where credits due I do admire your commitment .

Ok, you are saying Antrim sold the naming rights of the new stadium to the GAA, in a secret deal that Antrim club delegates were not informed of, and that the money went into a "strange" bank account!!

This is wrong on so many levels....I simply don't believe this to be honest.

Nope way off the mark, not saying that in any shape or form, however on that note,  the name cannot remain as its public money and must reflect an all inclusive name, but sure they'll tell us that closer the time. You obviously are not aware, my mistake, do some more due diligence bannside, you'll get there eventually.

Mr Quinn wouldn't have that remit. Nothing to see here!

Bannside no-one said he had a remit but he would know.  You have your finger on the pulse and circulate among these people ask what amount Antrim was paid by croker for its name and account for what the money was spent on? Thats the issue in Antrim theres plenty to see but the clubs are kept in the dark as are the delegates, thats why we're where we are today looking at looking at a derelict site!!!!

Around the same time as the name was paid for by Croker, ask Mr Quinn how much they got and what was done with it.

Positive  spin article in today's IN about Casement. Declan Lynch saying he hopes to play there again in an Antrim jersey and he might well do if he signs up for the Masters football.
When Casement development is stalled again as not enough money is available and I don't think funds will be available for 5-10 years can we hand the project to someone else to oversee.
The Saffron Business Forum team who have done a great job to date with everything they have organised could recruit a team.
Take back control from Ulster Council and make do for now with a smaller stadium for Antrim Gaels similar in size to Ravenhill but future proofed for expansion.
Otherwise it may be destined to be a new supermarket or housing development

Antrim can't take back something they have sold!

No accountability whatsoever, Antrim we not shafted NAG1 you need to do more digging on that one...Easy to blame UC need to look closer to home but hopefully the truth will come out eventually on who did what and why? You cannot just pick up whenever , it will have to be re-tendered or it could be JR'd to the days of amen with the other 5 bidders. External independent investigation needed to be initiated by the County, but then that would be Turkeys voting for Christmas as they say.

Ahhh feck it, lets just build social housing twin it with Tiocfaidh Monagh or Tiocfaidh Ford housing developments. What a complete and utter B***s up. The biggest and only major construction project ever brought into West belfast for 40 years Jesus Wept!

[Seem to have a lot of people pulling in the right direction]

I chuckled this morning when I seen promotional material for St Endas called Club 100.
They claim to be the biggest club in Antrim and Ulster and the  predominant club in South Antrim.  No mean feat.
There is a lot of competition with all the clubs in North Belfast.. Lol 😂😂
The last time I looked they had zero senior football and zero hurling championship medals.
They have a big membership, a growing nursery school and good size of land facilities but they  have also developed a BIG dose of DUP type arrogance as well.  Too soon to claim to be the biggest club in the world...

Those claims might be a bit grand alright, but you do have to applaud St Endas very obvious ambition. Seem to have a lot of people pulling in the right direction. Definitely on a very  clear progress curve, how many Antrim clubs can definitely say that?

The Cultural Renaissance in its Prime, Plunkett & Co would be proud, as I said keep the politics out of Gaa. (mass mobilisation at a local level, its the direction that would worry me)

I must say we (Clubs) may be getting very resourceful these days, now take the scenario of lets say an U20 football team brought down to the pitch staggered times in small groups throughout the morning organised previously, to do a run then a fitness test etc etc for the new management team, and the new management team just happened to be in the clubhouse at a meeting about the possible new season etc etc etc. Then the police who possibly are driving around doing their job, see this regularly over a period of time and inquire is there training going on? Whats your opinions gents ? Its a tough one!

I hear some disturbing rumours coming out of Crumlin also this weekend, I stress rumours!

[If someone has overstepped their authority, or wrongly interfered with the way Gaelfast was being managed, then make no mistake this will be properly investigated and there should be no hiding place if anyone has overstepped their position.]

If someone has overstepped their authority, or wrongly interfered with the way Gaelfast was being managed, then make no mistake this will be properly investigated and there should be no hiding place if anyone has overstepped their position.



Bannside lot time for you but get real on the last statement, who's gonna risk that one!!

People hiding behind anonymous names on a public forum seeking information about people's reasons for stepping aside, shouldn't really be taken seriously.


And again MR your still heavily involved like Bannside and credit again but you know they read this forum also so cant really expect you to call it out either!

And another thing while Im on, why so quiet on Gealfast situation lads? Come out of the woodwork and bash the shite outta Aldergrove , but not whats going on behind the scenes at CB and officer levels around PD and why he jumped!