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Semi finalists fairly easy to pick.

Portglenone and Dunloy are a shoe in and Cargin and St Brigids, while having to work a little harder, will be joining them.

Looks like randalstown in relegation playoff.

Are not.

Two great fixtures to attend this weekend in terms of what is riding on them.

Portglenone will be favourites but won't get it all their own way as Aghagallon capable of a big performance.

I think Creggan will show up and finish Ballymena's interest.

Everything else looks fairly settled though Randalstown could still turn up and steal an unexpected spot.  Could but I will be keeping my money in my wallet.

Some craic Slemish Soldier 😂

I'm sure you know well the end of the line is approaching this weekend.

Cargin went 3 years and then took a rest for Creggan to step in.

Went another 3 years before another rest with Dunloy stepping up.

All this format and competitive chat is lovely (and probably exciting in some places) but it's a few years yet before Cargin are due another breather.

I would try and strengthen the Intermediate and Junior though as they have been a terrible standard since we went 16 team Senior.

And that is exactly how I interpreted your post and agree.

The naive comment probably more related to the like of PJ there even though I get his sentiment.

I agree with NAG.

Naive to think a referee going rogue with the rules is going to quieten the dissenting voices.

Be as likely to leave them feeling vindicated that the referee is not capable of applying the rules of the game.

On another note...

Big win for Cushendall in the U21 last night. They look strong and will be good for them getting ones that age into the senior setup as a few maybe in their twilight years.

I think most of the main players have already got a fair amount of senior miles on the clock.

But will certainly be very useful as other lads enter the twilight.

Heard recently one of our more senior officials has been responding to shouts from spectators by moving the ball up the pitch.

I did question if it was a case of mistaken identity for someone inside the wire but apparently not.

Maybe get more sensitive with age but I see this as an opportunity and have been practicing accents from every corner of the county.

Happened once in the league at our place and I believe it happened in Portaferry I believe with an Antrim referee.

Both times the supporter in question got dogs abuse from the team managements and those around them.

It may well have a good knock on effect to those arseholes who think because they pay a fiver in can shout and abuse all around them.

Maybe.  Or maybe the referee(s) involved shouldn't be such snowflakes because let's face it the crowd in attendance are always going to react as a games goes.

And if it is proper abuse (I didn't gather that it was) then clubs should be dealing with it. Or as you say self policing from those in attendance even better.

I do like the dissent rule and think it has been a success.  But let's implement it as written instead of making up versions and abusing ones position.

Heard recently one of our more senior officials has been responding to shouts from spectators by moving the ball up the pitch.

I did question if it was a case of mistaken identity for someone inside the wire but apparently not.

Maybe get more sensitive with age but I see this as an opportunity and have been practicing accents from every corner of the county.

I was looking at the league table recently and thinking you would have a 1a and 1b there that should be reasonably competitive based on exact finishing positions this year.

Might not be the top 8 teams in championship mode (though maybe not far off) as the league season presents different challenges for different clubs e.g. county commitments, dual commitments etc.

But the league table is a fair reflection of what the league season looks like for all.

I'm a little surprised by the importance suddenly being given to winning a North Antrim Feis competition.

At juvenile level, and to an extent at adult levels also, I always thought the real value was in giving more players games in Championship style competition.

It inevitably coincided with holidays so generally saw teams go deeper into their squads anyway.

Good coaching in clubs coupled with raw material.

I'd imagine finance is the main obstacle to county coaches being in and around clubs plenty.

But what would it take to at least come in and work with groups and set out some sort of season development plan, training plans etc on a case by case basis?

Some clubs or teams within clubs might feel they don't need it but a lot could benefit.

Parents are essential everywhere but they are often also a weakness.  End up following teams and learning the true requirements for each level as they go.  Need more than that.

'Fire abuse' is a bit of a reach.

All the funnier coming from someone using the term 'snowflake' a little while ago.

Ah the classic comeback of 'you do the job'.

And then a good dose of whataboutery (poor performance of players and managers).

😂😂😂👍