Quote from: Evil Genius on December 09, 2025, 07:01:01 PMLol, used to draw attention to some of names on the Antrim Hurling panel, always a few Alistairs & Elliots and what not. The Ulster Scots influence on the North East coast clubs.Quote from: armaghniac on December 06, 2025, 12:10:39 AMAntrim poor here, even given its demographics.Interesting one.
As it happens, it's just been announced that Oran Kearney has been appointed manager of Ballymena United FC. And while I know you cannot always go by names, it is nonetheless interesting to see some of those who make up the squad he inherits:
Declan Breen, Jack O'Reilly, Daire O'Connor, Kian Corbally, Patrick McEleney, Sean O'Neill, Donal Rocks, Stephen O'Connell, Danny Lafferty and Daithi McCallion. (This last, who has represented NI at under-age level, is the son of former Sinn Fein MP Elisha btw).
https://ballymenaunitedfc.com/the-playing-squad
Of course this should give no cause for comment - and indeed it doesn't - even in the "Buckle on Ulster's Bible Belt"!
But I list it here for the contrast it provides to eg the current Antrim Senior squad, where there isn't a Kyle or a Victor about the place:
https://antrim.gaa.ie/teams/senior-football
But heyho, so many on this Board insist that Soccer is the code with the problem of not being so inclusive as it might be, not the GAA, that it must be true.![]()
Thanks for your invaluable insights into all things GAA EG. Always a treat.