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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).

😂😂😂👍

I'm not really arriving at any conclusions - just observations unless you count highlighting sub standard referees as a conclusion.

Nor am I justifying abuse but a poor refereeing performance will frustrate those in attendance. Personally I don't believe shouting at a poor referee will make them any better.

That's interesting about the shouting when frees are about to be hit. So basically shout as much as you want when a lad is hitting a free as long as it is not directly aimed at him.

Maybe I should be congratulating teams fully exploiting that loophole now you have clarified.

If the free taker gets put off by shouting it is the players fault and needs to be stood down from the role.

But if a referee is making a balls of his job suck it up.

Looking down through the results from seniors to u16 games and the likes on the Antrim website,  are there only a handful of referees in the county? Seems to be the same names game in,  game out, they must be out 3 or 4 times a week?

I assume they get paid for this?

Expenses

Shortage of referees, no shortage of referees during match day though at the grounds 

There is a shortage of referees of a high standard.

The regular appearance of poor ones gets people in attendance extremely frustrated.

I have seen experienced referees make decisions lately that are baffling and have had to go home and pick through the rules to make sure I am not losing it.

This leads to referees coming in for a lot of criticism which in turn makes the job look a poor attraction.

Of course there will be an element that are on a referees case from start to finish regardless.

And getting enough volunteers for a number of roles is a struggle for most clubs in the county.

And while I am at it - what is the story with guldering when lads are about to hit frees?

Like of Cargin and Portglenone are flat out at it and a few others as well. It's not shouting at the free taker but clearly deliberate as it's a roaring match 'watch the post' being a particular favourite.

Is that all acceptable because it's bloody obvious what the tactic is.

Do we know the championship paths beyond the group stage yet?

I think Cargin are rightly favourites but Creggan and possibly St Brigids will have a say.

Dunloy will depend on availability of key men, Portglenone just don't seem to have the mettle and while Aghagallon look far better stocked this year and will be interesting they will probably come up short as well. Galls worth keeping an eye on.

Don't think any of the others are in the conversation though LD have improved and have decent experience in the ranks- but wouldn't be parting with money there.

No idea why Rossa are so far up the betting - maybe due to their group.

We digress.

Main point wasn't about St Endas but rather the lack of players, or lack of players committing, from South and West Belfast.

That's not a dig either.  It's a frustration that we cannot seem to fully harness that potential.

So they play North Antrim competitions at every level up to and including Senior in hurling.

Football I am not sure they still take part in the O'Cahan Cup but they play all juvenile competitions.

St Endas have been SW for a long time.  And NA for hurling.

Noticed that also.  One from LD and one from St Pauls.  That aside the rest of the squad were all South West teams.

If a South West team can win that Tier more or less on their own then getting the city boys committed would surely see us push on even further.

Developing right type of players is key.

Same old.

Need good coaching structures at clubs and beyond to best develop players.

Same old.

Too many set in their ways as well around what the game of hurling should look like.

Romantic stuff is lovely but it is not moving with the times.

That too is same old as we have been too resilient to change for a long time, especially at club level.

Like it or lump it physicality and athleticism is nearly the primary requirement nowadays. Kildare threw us about like rag dolls earlier this season ffs.

Senior

Group 1
Dunloy
Rossa
Glenravel
TNN

Group 2
Creggan
St Johns
All Saints
St Pauls

Group 3
Cargin
St Brigids
St Galls
Moneyglass

Group 4
Portglenone
Lamh Dhearg
Aghagallon
Sarsfields


Intermediate

Group 1
Gort
St Agnes
Aldergrove
St Teresas
Davitts

Group 2
St Comgalls
Ahoghill
Glenavy
St Endas
Lisburn


Junior

Group 1
St Malachys
Rasharkin
Laochra
Pearses

Group 2
Eire Og
Cloughmills
O Donnells
Ardoyne

Dunloy and Glenravel
Creggan and All Saints
St Brigids and Cargin
Lahm Dhearg and Aghagallon

Not be much city interest beyond the groups.

Is this model a success in Down?