Messages

We could talk about it all day. Key is getting schools both primary and secondary to allow coaches in and promote GAA instead of other sports, also parents have to play a huge role.

Its easy for me to comment on it as I grew up with GAA only and a family that were all involved in some capacity within the club, it was second nature. Our Sundays were spent in the car going around watching different games, I'm not saying I had a special upbringing but it was second nature to me and that is why I've continued to be a part of it.

facilities and parents attitude seem to be the biggest factors allied to of course natural ability, attitude and numbers which are essential. The teams that invested years ago in facilities seem to be coming together now. St Galls' dubious noughties recruitment policy is of course one way of circumvent the lack of facilities proving them the exception rather than the rule. Dunloy have one hell of a set up and fair play to them.   One wonders who will be the first central SW club to get a standing terrace constructed to be the jewel in the crown.

Not one club in Antrim has got a player from another club... current County champions seem to avoid any of this but sure work away lad.... the lads now regret being part of the club I'm sure

you're right, no one else can say they didn't. St Galls just were much much better at the post code lottery than everyone else #justsaying

Much better club steeped in history of winning Ulster titles and the odd All Ireland finals

Out of curiosity, how many Ulster titles have St Galls won?

3 lost 3 finals also!! Ah the ones that get away are the hardest to take

Is there talent coming through to get you back to another one?

I suppose it could be said it took us 30 years after 82 to win our next one.. that's how it goes, you are with a club aren't you? You understand that you can't always win these titles, other teams improve... Cross are struggling and no one thought they would.

I'd say your club must be close to it

My club? nah, not yet. Hopefully someday we could reach that position.

You sure?? I thought with the SW domination at the minute that it would be only a matter of months??

Rome wasn't built in a day.

facilities and parents attitude seem to be the biggest factors allied to of course natural ability, attitude and numbers which are essential. The teams that invested years ago in facilities seem to be coming together now. St Galls' dubious noughties recruitment policy is of course one way of circumvent the lack of facilities proving them the exception rather than the rule. Dunloy have one hell of a set up and fair play to them.   One wonders who will be the first central SW club to get a standing terrace constructed to be the jewel in the crown.

Not one club in Antrim has got a player from another club... current County champions seem to avoid any of this but sure work away lad.... the lads now regret being part of the club I'm sure

you're right, no one else can say they didn't. St Galls just were much much better at the post code lottery than everyone else #justsaying

Much better club steeped in history of winning Ulster titles and the odd All Ireland finals

Out of curiosity, how many Ulster titles have St Galls won?

3 lost 3 finals also!! Ah the ones that get away are the hardest to take

Is there talent coming through to get you back to another one?

I suppose it could be said it took us 30 years after 82 to win our next one.. that's how it goes, you are with a club aren't you? You understand that you can't always win these titles, other teams improve... Cross are struggling and no one thought they would.

I'd say your club must be close to it

My club? nah, not yet. Hopefully someday we could reach that position.

facilities and parents attitude seem to be the biggest factors allied to of course natural ability, attitude and numbers which are essential. The teams that invested years ago in facilities seem to be coming together now. St Galls' dubious noughties recruitment policy is of course one way of circumvent the lack of facilities proving them the exception rather than the rule. Dunloy have one hell of a set up and fair play to them.   One wonders who will be the first central SW club to get a standing terrace constructed to be the jewel in the crown.

Not one club in Antrim has got a player from another club... current County champions seem to avoid any of this but sure work away lad.... the lads now regret being part of the club I'm sure

you're right, no one else can say they didn't. St Galls just were much much better at the post code lottery than everyone else #justsaying

Much better club steeped in history of winning Ulster titles and the odd All Ireland finals

Out of curiosity, how many Ulster titles have St Galls won?

3 lost 3 finals also!! Ah the ones that get away are the hardest to take

Is there talent coming through to get you back to another one?

facilities and parents attitude seem to be the biggest factors allied to of course natural ability, attitude and numbers which are essential. The teams that invested years ago in facilities seem to be coming together now. St Galls' dubious noughties recruitment policy is of course one way of circumvent the lack of facilities proving them the exception rather than the rule. Dunloy have one hell of a set up and fair play to them.   One wonders who will be the first central SW club to get a standing terrace constructed to be the jewel in the crown.

Not one club in Antrim has got a player from another club... current County champions seem to avoid any of this but sure work away lad.... the lads now regret being part of the club I'm sure

you're right, no one else can say they didn't. St Galls just were much much better at the post code lottery than everyone else #justsaying

Much better club steeped in history of winning Ulster titles and the odd All Ireland finals

Out of curiosity, how many Ulster titles have St Galls won?

[indoor football]

the indoor academy does help us yes but as others have said its having the kids there along with good coaches that makes it work. without the latter its just a big empty building that can be hired out for indoor football.

Soccer football, are you serious? 

7 aside Gaelic..

[St Galls' dubious noughties recruitment policy is of course one way of circumvent the lack of facilities proving them the exception rather than the rule.]

facilities and parents attitude seem to be the biggest factors allied to of course natural ability, attitude and numbers which are essential. The teams that invested years ago in facilities seem to be coming together now. St Galls' dubious noughties recruitment policy is of course one way of circumvent the lack of facilities proving them the exception rather than the rule. Dunloy have one hell of a set up and fair play to them.   One wonders who will be the first central SW club to get a standing terrace constructed to be the jewel in the crown.

Whatever do you mean?

Sorry I meant the poor showing in the later stages of the minor championship was perhaps evidence.  But yes city teams seem to have got behind a bit in terms of facilities as well - I find myself more likely to put the kids in wellie boots for visiting city grounds these days - ironic   So yes PaddyJohn - it will be interesting to see if the city teams working at upgrading their facilities are the ones to come to the fore at underage in future years.

You'd think that this would have a knock on effect and the youth would want to play in these kinda places but that doesn't always happen. Dunloy are starting to reap the rewards of the indoor academy.

Its a simple system in my opinion, get your coaches in place in the schools, get the parents on board and hopefully things will start to change through time.

Noticed that alright. Poor state of affairs.

It's hectic

I believe that if we are to stand any chance of progressing as a county we need to get it right in the city.  What I see now around Antrim is by and large all the best facilities are in the country.  Yes you do not need top facilities to produce top teams as St Galls have proven for a long time now but I just worry that the game is continuing to go the wrong way in the city and this is possibly good evidence that this is the case.

Clubs around the city are starting to improve, Sarsfields, St Pauls and Davitts are all building new changing rooms and pitches and deserve credit for doing so. The 4 new council 3G/4g pitches at Cliftonville Rd, Sally Gardens, Woodlands and The Ozone on the Ormeau Park have also have brought some clubs up to speed.

There is no doubt about it that Belfast are lacking in a massive way in terms of 2nd and even 3rd pitches in some cases but ask any country clubs who have went through a barren spell and I'm sure they would swap some grandeur for silverware.

According to Google maps it takes 58 mins to get from Glenarms pitch to Armoy and it takes 1hr 2mins to get from Gort Na Mona to Armoy.

Very happy with Armoy as a venue.

As for the atmosphere problem they don't get the really big games, the likes of Loughgiel Vs Cushendall would have an atmosphere no matter where it would be played. Carey vs St.Galls or the JHC would be quite dead, no rivalry and less people care to be quite frank.

Of course you're happy, most of your lads played on Armoy as a home pitch as underage players I'm sure.

Should be a decent double header in Armoy on Saturday week. Good to see a club like that getting rewarded for getting their grounds in order and being welcoming hosts.

What games are they? great set up, possibly parking the main problem but they open up the fields for that, as long as its not raining!!

Whilst Armoy's sand based pitch is a great surface at this time of year the viewing facilities at the pitch are poor but I suppose it depends on the crowd of people they have to cater for. It might be OK for Junior / Intermediate finals but certainly wouldn't cater for the crowds at the senior S/Finals.

I was at the same venue last year for the same double header and viewing wasn't bad.

Should be a decent double header in Armoy on Saturday week. Good to see a club like that getting rewarded for getting their grounds in order and being welcoming hosts.

What games are they? great set up, possibly parking the main problem but they open up the fields for that, as long as its not raining!!

JHC & IHC hurling finals. Yeah, parking can be a problem at times.

Should be a decent double header in Armoy on Saturday week. Good to see a club like that getting rewarded for getting their grounds in order and being welcoming hosts.

Long Live Mickey! He's an inspiration to everybody.