Messages

St Brigids would be doing a lot better if they spent more time focussed on playing football instead of trying to act the hard men. Plenty of decent footballers in that team.

Playing on the edge is one thing, intentionally attempting to injure an opposition player is another and is entirely unacceptable!

From what I have heard that's what was happening (off the ball) by the LD player (who shall remain unnamed).

Yes the ref should try to 'set the tone' and keep control of the game but the vast majority of times when players lose their discipline it is not the fault of a referee!

Players and management need to take primary responsibility for this. And it's clear there are a few teams who have a problem in this department. LD being one.

Casements by 2
St Brigid's by 5
Lamh Dhearg by 3
Creggan by 2
St Johns by 2
Ahoghill by 4

I also recognise that GA is not answerable to us on this discussion board, and I genuinely hope there is plenty of good work going on behind the scenes, but questions need to be asked.

Serious questions need to be asked about this DOF role.

What was the appointment process? What is the remit? What are the targets for development? What will the approach be? How is success measured?

These are legitimate questions and it is very concerning that those of us with an interest in the future of football in our county have no idea what is going on (if anything!).

I don't think Antrim have the players or panel to make these huge strides people are hoping for.

One of the problems we have in Antrim is looking for a quick fix or the easy route.  There is none. We have went too far down that road for a quick solution to work.        We tried a different approach with the management team and it has brought progress.  Time to address our longstanding underage issues, correct them and continue to advance in the long term, building a foundation for success and players equipped to deal with the higher divisions.    The crash and burn from our last exploits in Div 2 has taken a decade to recover from. New players will be blooded again next season and hungry for promotion but they need to believe in the project.

This is the nail on the head. Our underage development structures are still miles away from where they need to be. Until we get that side of things right we are simply papering over the cracks.

So I will ask again, does anyone now what our Director Of Football has been up to? 6 months into the job and not a peep

IMO the best forward we have in Antrim is Matty Fitz who isn't even part of the panel

All for a bit of craic but maybe leave the family comments out of it...

A quick glance through Dunsilly King's posts tells you all you need to know.

I'm sure everyone agrees that McGinley has done a great job since taking the reins. That doesn't make him immune to fair and valid criticism after a terrible performance.

In any case, until our underage player development is sorted out we are only papering over the cracks. Does anyone know what our Director of Football has been up to? Or what his plans are?

You would hope that our county board have this years Championship plans watertight and crystal clear after last years semi-final extra-time fiasco...

Did someone say that the championship draw is tonight?

Probably been posted here before but the whole Noah Donohoe case. Apparently the cops are looking to question his mother now for breaching lockdown. The whole case stinks of either incompetence, a cover up or both.

Incompetence from the Police at best, but also quite possibly something more sinister

Any word of the Championship draw taking place?

My prediction for this weekend:

• Naomh Bríd v Tir na nÓg- 7 point home win
  Noamh Eoin v Casements - 7 point away win
  Rossa v Naomh Eanna- 4 point away win
  Lamh Dhearg v Carraigin- 4 point away win
  Kickhams Creggan v Achagh Eochaille- 6 point home win
  Aghagallon v Naomh Gall- 3 point home win