Messages

Its getting hard to listen to the Glenariffe lads about the championship now.  They had their best game of the year against Dunloy last year and still couldn't beat Dunloy (who probably played one of their worst games of the summer in Loughgiel that night) and now they reckon they're a shoe in to beat Cushendall in this years final.  Too many boys think they are twice the hurler they actually are.

Will Graffin and Neal McAuley be back for the Laois/Carlow game?  If not, who will come in to replace them in the back lines?  Barry McFall?  Heard Sean Delargy was back at the training for a couple of weeks before packing it in again because he wasn't impressed with the standards of training?

I would love to know what "Glenariffe lads" you have been talking to.

A couple or three of those who have been in/out/in/out of the county set up over the last few years...and I'm not referring to the "Holy One" 

Its getting hard to listen to the Glenariffe lads about the championship now.  They had their best game of the year against Dunloy last year and still couldn't beat Dunloy (who probably played one of their worst games of the summer in Loughgiel that night) and now they reckon they're a shoe in to beat Cushendall in this years final.  Too many boys think they are twice the hurler they actually are.

Will Graffin and Neal McAuley be back for the Laois/Carlow game?  If not, who will come in to replace them in the back lines?  Barry McFall?  Heard Sean Delargy was back at the training for a couple of weeks before packing it in again because he wasn't impressed with the standards of training?

Full Time Antrim 3.15 Offaly 1.21 (Extra Time to be played)

Shane Dooley free in the last second of injury time to level it

10 mins to go, Antrim 3.14 Offaly 1.18

Offaly piling on pressure and had a goal disallowed.  Offaly also had a man sent off

Half Time Antrim 3.09 Offaly 1.12

Two late goals by Colm McFall and Karl McKeegan

Heard Dinny at the weekend, says Watson's definately not left the panel.  Apparantly hes had the stag organised for 8 months and is going to be the best man and everything.  All signs point to him being on the bench for the Offaly game and brought on before half time.

Heard he was stag do this weekend and no reason why he's dropped out. Why did he go to the players rep as well. Why didn't he go direct to the management team?

I heard that he was at the training in Randalstown on Thursday night, had a bit of a bust up with Colm McBride during the in house match and the pair of them were sent off.   

Good if unexpected win for down. Thats us safe with westmeath at home to finish. Who did all our scoring?

Unexpected? Down have been running Antrim closer and closer over the last few games and I wouldn't think I'm the only one who saw this coming. 

Antrim Panel for the Laois game:

1 Gareth Mc Gee
2 Arron Graffin
3 Cormac Donnelly
4 Barry McFall
5 Simon Mc Crory
6 Karl McKeegan
7 Ciaran Herron
8 Paul Shields
9 Shane McNaughton
10 Liam Watson
11 Neil McManus
12 Paddy Mc Gill
13 Darren Hamill
14 Thomas McCann
15 PJ O Connell

Subs
16 Chris O Connell
17 Neil Mc Garry
18 Paudie Shivers
19 Conor  Mc Allister
20 James McKeague
21 Aaron Smiley
22 Eddie McCloskey
23 Neill Mc Auley
24 Colm McFall

my main point is while we continue to feed in dedicated, committed players other players come along and show no where near commitment of our players

The point is that clubs need to feed dedicated, committed referees though.

Cushedall have at least 2 referees this year, however none attended the meeting and therefore they have been put down the same as all the other teams who don't have any referees.  I'd say Cushendall won't be the only team in this boat and I wouldn't expect them to lose home advantage for any game.

From the County Website:

Antrim Hurling fans should be pleased with the way the game went today; accepting that there are some significant absentees and therefore some essential trialling going on; again the game was played in winter conditions. However, as with the senior football panel, some players have had their attention and duty focused elsewhere showing their allegiance to club in the first instance. And here again there are some absences through injury, so all things considered these remaining lads not only worked hard but they also delivered on the day, so all due credit to them.

This match was very much a mixed bag, rather than one of quality hurling, as might be expected much later in the season. But what will go on record is that Antrim Senior hurlers did enough to keep the expectant Carlow forwards at bay and ultimately send them home again  disappointed. Staying power is invariably vitally important in Gaelic games, given the relentless pressure upon players. Staying power is fast becoming a characteristic of Antrim teams and that too was much in evidence again today. Antrim senior teams no longer lack the necessary tenacity and staying power needed in tough battles.

Antrim's half forward line was notably tough and determined today and essentially that dictated the result, when they took overall control of the game. Antrim midfield would appear to have some gaps with remedial work still to do. Carlow were allowed to look a bit too good, too often, in this area. Ball control was evidently more difficult in these harsh conditions but there was some evidence of an apparent Achilles heel, when Carlow scrambled two soft goals by following in on the high ball – Antrim backs were well tested and otherwise stood up to Carlow on many occasions; the soft goals coming only from a mucky melee.

All in all, this was a good day Antrim hurling and the start to the Allianz National Hurling League that Dinny and crew needed; it has many parallels with senior football and was at times a really tough battle for some of these lads but they held their nerve and otherwise coped well against a team expected to win on the day. It just goes to show that nothing can ever be taken for granted and that Antrim hurling is far from dead or in the doldrums; this was a good upset. Well done lads.

Man of the match today went to Barry Mc Faul and he was presented with a watch by Dinny Cahill, on behalf of our main sponsors Creagh Concrete.
Lawrence Smyth Antrim County PRO.



Watches for MOM performances?  More professionalism or just to make sure they get to training on time?

Hearing rumours that the league structures are going to be changed again.  10 teams per division as Dinny wants as many of his county panel playing Div 1 hurling but the changes go right through all leagues.

Still no word as to whether Dinny would try and coax Liam Watson back to the hurlers?  Wasn't named on the trial squad but I would have been very surprised if he was.

playing Garrison sports for a team in West Belfast called Donegal Celtic (he'd naturally want to catch it ) Liam will not bother I'd imagine, he's had a few injuries over the last few years

That aul Black and Tan ball has ruined many a reputation! 

Still no word as to whether Dinny would try and coax Liam Watson back to the hurlers?  Wasn't named on the trial squad but I would have been very surprised if he was.

Does anybody else find it strange how the Intermediate Final Replay has slipped under the radar?  Two weeks later and no reports in papers, on websites?

Was the game so bad that nobody wants to hear about it?