Antrim Football Thread

[Gael-in-exile]

In regards to facilities we as a county are way down compared to other counties.
Do we have any ground that has both a stand and flood lighting?

I know that clubs do their best and funding etc is hard to come by but they are not the only issues clubs face. For example if Rossa or St John's wished to include lights the first issue would be planning related due to the impact on the houses close to the grounds.
Thankfully many country clubs benefit from having no immediate issues that way.

Some clubs purposely don't have lights so the pitch gets a rest, especially in the winter

I'd say that's a benefit but would argue it wouldn't be a reason they'd base a 'no' on.

[Gael-in-exile]

Was the ex-referee/assessor/ear piece wearing official about? I'm not sure of his name or actual role but I know it's officials related. Would he be able to offer a view for the appeal?

Unlikley he will be much use to any appeal as he is an LD man who appoints the refs and this was a case of appointing a ref which gave LD the best chance to progress

I watched the clip and if you ask me the linesman is at fault. He has the opportunity to stop the game before the free was taken to rectify the mistake.

Now the ref could definitely have stopped the game completely and waited and watched the no11 leave the pitch but many delegate the coordination of that to linesmen to keep the game free of long stoppages.

Was the ex-referee/assessor/ear piece wearing official about? I'm not sure of his name or actual role but I know it's officials related. Would he be able to offer a view for the appeal?

Ultimately though on the video LD had 16 men that allowed them to move from a kick out to a free which was then converted. The score should not have stood on the day and had the linesman notified the ref then the kick out should've been retaken.

Didn't know his club so that'll rule him out anyway.
What is his role as I see him at nearly every game both club and county and have never seen him actually do anything in particular apart from stand near where the 4th official is and wear an earpiece.

[Spike]

I watched the clip and if you ask me the linesman is at fault. He has the opportunity to stop the game before the free was taken to rectify the mistake.

Now the ref could definitely have stopped the game completely and waited and watched the no11 leave the pitch but many delegate the coordination of that to linesmen to keep the game free of long stoppages.

Was the ex-referee/assessor/ear piece wearing official about? I'm not sure of his name or actual role but I know it's officials related. Would he be able to offer a view for the appeal?

Ultimately though on the video LD had 16 men that allowed them to move from a kick out to a free which was then converted. The score should not have stood on the day and had the linesman notified the ref then the kick out should've been retaken.

LD say they had a man getting water and treatment off the pitch so had only 15 men on the field, therefore Creggan only ever had 15 men to mark. I am sure the more eagle eyed contributors on here will be able to count the number of LD players from the video snippet.

[InnocentByStander]

Where has MR2 gone?

[Spike]

In regards to facilities we as a county are way down compared to other counties.
Do we have any ground that has both a stand and flood lighting?

I know that clubs do their best and funding etc is hard to come by but they are not the only issues clubs face. For example if Rossa or St John's wished to include lights the first issue would be planning related due to the impact on the houses close to the grounds.
Thankfully many country clubs benefit from having no immediate issues that way.

Even country clubs have neighbours you know.

[NatSoSaff]

I'm not in favour of this appeal whatsoever. It's a frustrating scenario without question, but it's not a great look I'm sad to say. Lets  just move on and let Cargin wrap up this championship. There has to be a review of league and championship once again as soon as that happens.

[Ghost+Tommy]

I watched the clip and if you ask me the linesman is at fault. He has the opportunity to stop the game before the free was taken to rectify the mistake.

Now the ref could definitely have stopped the game completely and waited and watched the no11 leave the pitch but many delegate the coordination of that to linesmen to keep the game free of long stoppages.

Was the ex-referee/assessor/ear piece wearing official about? I'm not sure of his name or actual role but I know it's officials related. Would he be able to offer a view for the appeal?

Ultimately though on the video LD had 16 men that allowed them to move from a kick out to a free which was then converted. The score should not have stood on the day and had the linesman notified the ref then the kick out should've been retaken.

LD say they had a man getting water and treatment off the pitch so had only 15 men on the field, therefore Creggan only ever had 15 men to mark. I am sure the more eagle eyed contributors on here will be able to count the number of LD players from the video snippet.

what a fool you are spike,championing LDs cause on here,giving out about creggan being wrong to appeal,it's looking more like a replay no matter how you try to convince your little self that LD are right

[Spike]

'fool', 'little self'. Sounds personal

Is the real reason you are angry is that Bannside has not responded to you? 

Come on Bannside, throw that dog a bone. Swipe right 

[Spike]

Where has MR2 gone?

Its championship season, holiday time from commenting on GAA boards

[Gael-in-exile]

Spike, let's be honest a full housing estate running down one side of Rossa or surrounding St John's, or over half of st Pats Lisburn grounds backing on to the same is very different to PG1 having one house 400mtrs away.

Also many of those in Dunloy or Cushendall or similar country grounds which do have some lighting are surrounded by members not the public who live close by.

Let's call a spade a spade, getting lights erected in the city has possibly quite a few obstacles that are not so prevalent for country clubs.

[Spike]

GIE I certainly concede its more difficult to get PP for floodlights in the city. Was just highlighting that PP is still a hurdle for country clubs as well and not just a gimme.

[Gael-in-exile]

Fair enough and I suppose then across the whole county we are not comparable to Derry or Tyrone in terms of barriers to facilities.
However it would be great to see some clubs get theirs developed further.

Cushendall could get the terrace covered and possibly higher lighting. Dunloy have space for the far side to get cover, and again possibly upgrade lighting.

PG1 have just completed a big upgrade, would they be able to afford more and then could the surrounding area be deemed safe enough for games in the dark with larger crowds?

I'm haven't seen Creggans upgrade so no idea there.

But yes we need more in the county. That much is true.

[Slemishgael]

Some great club groups and facilities in the county that have improved greatly in last number of years... most do seem to be in ruralish settings of the county.

Ahoghill Randalstown Creggan Cargin Moneyglass Dunloy Ballymena Cushendall Ballycastle Loughgiel Armoy Glenravel Portglenone all great set ups.

Ballymena have developed their grounds the past few years and I see they've further ambitious plans in the pipeline.

Seems hard for the city clubs to expand their grounds etc when landlocked by housing.

[Spike]

In the country the must haves appear to be hall & clubhouse, terracing, two pitches and floodlighting.  after that anything is a bonus such as indoor 3G, a full size 3rd pitch and a covered stand/seated area.

Ballymena are getting there, just the clubhouse to go it appears. Tir na nOg have transformed Whitehill.  Moneyglass have a new pitch though its a distance from their old pitch and changing area. Ahoghill a great set up.
Dunloy an excellent venue. Very few have everything but have a route planned on how to get there.

Obviously expansion plans very expensive in the city though St Galls, LD perhaps have room.  St Pauls, Rossa, and Sarsfields could be creative

[Kidder81]

In the country the must haves appear to be hall & clubhouse, terracing, two pitches and floodlighting.  after that anything is a bonus such as indoor 3G, a full size 3rd pitch and a covered stand/seated area.

Ballymena are getting there, just the clubhouse to go it appears. Tir na nOg have transformed Whitehill.  Moneyglass have a new pitch though its a distance from their old pitch and changing area. Ahoghill a great set up.
Dunloy an excellent venue. Very few have everything but have a route planned on how to get there.

Obviously expansion plans very expensive in the city though St Galls, LD perhaps have room.  St Pauls, Rossa, and Sarsfields could be creative

St Galls changing facilities have always been a disgrace, for a club that has an income stream from a social club. LD have opened a new second pitch obviously, the more urban clubs in WestBelfast don't have that option & have to rent out council facilities for underage teams etc. I know St John's underage teams train at Woodlands