Messages

I think the 16 Div 1 scenario in 2024, is a compromise for one year, as this is being implemented retrospectively.
I think it makes sense to go top 8 in 1A , next 8 in 1B, in 2025, When teams know what they are playing for with 1 up and 1 down between 1A & B.
I feel that relegation via championship is a fairer outcome due to spilt season impact on clubs e.g Dunloy !!!

The discussions for 2024, settled on a 16 team Division 1, with 1 round of fixtures, with 4 groups of 4 in SFC, the anomaly being Dunloy in SFC & Ballymena in IFC, as Dunloy seeded.

Going to 2025, relegation determined by SFC playoffs; bottom 4 teams in 4 groups play,  as teams would have full compliment of county players available)

Div2 League Winners & IFC promoted to Div1 for 2026.

Same set up for Div 2 / 3 places with
IFC two groups of 5. JFC - two groups of 4

The aim of the proposal is to cut back on the number of league games senior teams have to play to the benefit of a dual County and as a result of the spilt season.
Three clubs proposed to scrap relegation in July , when they were in bother. It was knocked back then !
These proposals should be put forward for introduction in 2025 and not retrospectively after 2023 season.

1A -8 teams=14 games(reduction of 4 games)
1B - 8 = 14 games
2 - 10 = 18 games (+2)
3 -  8 = 14 games (-4) Ballycastle??

Decoupling league & championship would be useful for IFC + JFC

Div2 League winners + IFC winners promoted - bottom 2 teams in 1B relegated. Same for Div 3  & JFC.

If double winners in Div 2 or 3, have a relegation / promotion play off

Goodnight Sweet heart with Dervla Kirwan ....

Are these not the same rules that impacted the ulster u20 football last year where Derry lost out on I think 2 players but down took the hit and played them?

No, that was a rule that if you played IC Senior championship you couldn't play U20 IC championship.

It impacted a few Cork and Limerick hurlers over the last few years.

I don't believe that rule is transferrable to the club championships unless Antrim have adopted them as bye laws which is their right to do so if they want.

The only rule that I'm aware off , is an u17 can't play Senior.
Under 19
- Club - Be Under 19 years and Over 15 years

I see the Moneyglass ladies have landed in a difficult spot with three matches this weekend. Camogie finals on Saturday which a few of their senior panel are involved in and then the Donaghmoyne match is at 2pm on Sunday and they've been told they have to play the Antrim Minor final at 8pm on Sunday night despite some of those minors being on the senior panel and the two coaches of the team also being senior players.

Doesn't suprise me. The LGFA in Antrim is a complete shambles.

Agree 100%  There seems to be 2 or 3 people running the lgfa in Antrim . They made a mess of the St.Endas debacle and things didn't go well for them in underage issue with St.Pauls. They do not actual adhere to their national guidelines either !

The red card applies to the provincial championship as it is deemed an extension of the competition. So player is free to play the next year.

When was the last time Fintona were in Intermediate?

Fintona had an unbelievable period in late 70s.
They won JFC in 1975.They won the IFC in 1978 and were just beaten (1pt) by Carrickmore in SFC in 1979.
One of my first SFC finals, not sure where final was. Dessie Campbell and Dermot Mc Guigan stood out as key players

Was in San Sebastián in early August and thoroughly enjoyed it. The beaches, food and the old town are fantastic. For the small people there's a lovely little funfair at the top of Monte Igueldo. We went to Bilbao one day to go to the Guggenheim, a bit of a disappointment to be honest. We flew into Biarritz with Ryanair.

Yeah was looking flights, and have been Biarritz before, but hired a car.. Are there train routes from Biarritz that you took?

Not sure about the train but there are regular buses to San Sebastián, our flight was in quite late and we had to get a taxi, €150 for a 40 minute ride. The bus back to the airport cost something like €28 for the four of us.

I got badly caught last year , travelling from Valencia to Madrid, two return tickets cost £350 on the train. ! It was £ 80 to fly !!!! Stung !

Liatroim have every right to feel aggrieved in the way that they were disrespected by the County Board and the media pundits who had them written off before the match. The CB appointed an outside referee for the other semi final thinking that it would be the tougher of the two semis. But was it? In the interests of the integrity of the competition that Ardstick is so worried about both semis should have had outside referees appointed. It also raises the question are there no other referees in Down capable of officiating at this level that don't have skin in the game? If not why not? Ask any Ballycran person involved with the team did they welcome yesterdays refereeing appointment, I think the number that did you could fit them all into a phone box! The Ards teams are not whiter than white in regards to transfers and outsiders playing for them and should be playing for their "own" club - McAllister, Sheehan & Prenter. You could make a case for Prenter all right with RGU not having a hurling team. So how do some of the Ballycran players feel about the two outsiders taking their positions, you can't just pin that scenario on just happening in Liatroim, it is not unique to there. I sense a bit of fear in the Ards that there is a threat to their dominance of the SHC so is it a case of wanting those players to return to where they come from and so dilute the threat. As JC has pointed out on many occasions there will be no underage trophy residing in the Ards for another year but I have no doubt that will change sometime soon. 

Those Cran players live and are settled in the area, so that's a weak argument. Would love to know the address of the Murphy's in Liatroim and does McCusker not live beside Ballela pitch.

Look all I'm saying is instead of seeking glory hunters we need to keep working on developing players within our clubs instead of looking for a quick fix solution to winning. Taking players away to the detriment of their own clubs Lagos a real lack of class and morals.

With regards the reffing I'm sure if you talked to Ballycran supporters they would tell you all the frees that were missed for them, that's the nature of the game, ref will make mistakes just like the players on the field.

Might also be an idea to cut the Senior Championship to 5 teams, play each other once, top goes into final 2v3 in semi just to keep the quality and standard higher but that's for another day.

Good luck to Liatroim in their finals a win against Rostrevor would be an almighty victory for the parish.

Really newbie ?  bit of back tracking here

Let's have the discussion surely Oldie, however there's a massive different between a legitimate transfer and a self serving transfer. Surely your not suggesting Sheenan should still be taking a 90 mile round trip to play for Shamrocks. Fair play to him for staying with them up to last year.

How did the Murphy's ever get a transfer?? Because their dad manages them??

CB need to have a watertight system to stop clubs exploiting the system. Otherwise let's just have open season and let clubs pick and chose who gets to play for them.

this oldie thinks there's a lot of bitterness there newbie?? - sad to see. welcome to down discussion and hopefully future posts will be positive - should there be anymore 

I notice you can't challenge any of the arguments there, which is fair enough as I take it you probably agree which is great to see, the more common sense about the better I think it's pretty positive just wanting clubs competing on a level playing (Hurley)field. Looking forward to the final and hopefully the County winners can do us proud in Ulster. We are long overdue a good performance at that stage.

Inter County transfers are handy enough to put through.

I dont think it was a straight red. Defo a second yellow yes, but to give him a straight red which means he will miss the ulster champ game? Id say he will get it overturned

Is the red not applicable to the first round of Antrim next year. Red cards are one game in the same competition.

Ulster will be a different competition.

The red card will apply to Ulster Championship , as it is deemed an extension of the Antrim Championship !

I know theres a thread for it, but surely Casement will get pushed on now. Has there ever been a new Head contractor appointed as i know they original ones who were also doing in the new stand at anfield recently went bust. Maybe a few million from the English FA to get the bid over the line wouldn't go a miss...

The government are busted flushes at the minute and any money the Tories have they'll be spending it on keeping their voters happy i'd say..

That said it seems now that the place is getting the green light in terms of the games it might be a joint effort by Dublin, Croke the FA and the government to get it over the line!

Just need (as you have said) a builder ready to commit to it !

Anyone in the know among the fourm, if its up for tender or anything again?

I was told that Heron Bros , who were joint venture with Buckingham, have stepped up and County have completed all financial checks etc

I was told contractor situation has been resolved with Heron's stepping in to be main contractor

Had EC game but can't locate Eden v Trillick ?