Antrim Football Thread

[Silver Eel]

Excitement building for the big one in Toome and Portglenone today! Any information out yet on who the winners will get in the Ulster first round?

[Slemishgael]

Winners of Tyrone and Donegal Champions, I think! Not 100%

[SaffronOak]

Wasn't a great advertisement for Derry football last night but if anyone was expecting anything different then they were deluding themselves. Magherafelt grinders and Newbridge not much better. Glen or Slaughtneil hardly quivering at the thought of meeting them in the final.

All Saints impressive yesterday. Went to the game, Conor Stewart so good. Young Ferris at wing back covered some grass and a serious attacking threat. They could have a decent run in Ulster.

For Casements to get anything from today, they need early scores. Don't let Cargin settle early and be clinical. Easier said than done, though. I expect Cargin to win with 5-6 to spare.

[Silver Eel]

Oh yes thanks for that just found an Irish news article stating the same:

Ulster Club SFC & IFC

Preliminary round (November 2/3)

Tyrone v Donegal

Quarter-finals (November 9/10)

(A) Fermanagh v Monaghan

(B) Down v Cavan

(C) Derry v Armagh

(D) Antrim v Tyrone/Donegal

[Hoof Hearted]

Winners of Tyrone and Donegal Champions, I think! Not 100%

Yes, Ballymena get the same in intermediate
If its tyrone its in Antrim
If its donegal it's in donegal

[Hectic]

Would that not be considered a pretty good draw in the bigger scheme of things?

Avoiding Derry, Down and Monaghan a good start anyway.

Tyrone tend fare better at intermediate though. Be a fair step up for Ballymena from what was in Antrim this year but then Ulster always going to be the test for them.

Hopefully Cargin get tested before provincial - will find out shortly.

[Slemishgael]

Moy v Derrylaughan in the tyrone final should be close enough game. Both had similar enough form in Div 2. Is Sean Cavanagh back playing a bit with the Moy? I think All Saints should do OK against either of these pair and give a decent account of themselves if it happens to be the Tyrone champions. Connor Stewart back for them seems a big boost - a classy footballer. Looks like input at underage level over the past 20 years starting to pay off for the Bmena club. I wouldn't know much about the Donegal intermediate teams, is Termon through in Donegal?

[Hoof Hearted]

Moy v Derrylaughan in the tyrone final should be close enough game. Both had similar enough form in Div 2. Is Sean Cavanagh back playing a bit with the Moy? I think All Saints should do OK against either of these pair and give a decent account of themselves if it happens to be the Tyrone champions. Connor Stewart back for them seems a big boost - a classy footballer. Looks like input at underage level over the past 20 years starting to pay off for the Bmena club. I wouldn't know much about the Donegal intermediate teams, is Termon through in Donegal?

Yes, it's Moy/Derrylaughan v Termon

[Hectic]

Not sure Slemish if it will be straightforward for Ballyema and I don't think Baker will be taking anything for granted.

Ballymena needed to get the monkey off their back and win something after continually missing out on promotions and Intermediate Championships despite often being favourites.

This years Intermediate was the ideal time to do that given it was as close to a junior competition as an intermediate one.

So Ulster will tell us better where they really are and if the monkey was the issue.

They did give Ulster a really good rattle the last time they claimed Intermediate and some of the players from that team still around.

[Slemishgael]

100% it won't be straightforward for the Bmena men Hectic. It never is in ulster club football!! I suppose the few recent county finals they've been in they've always been missing players for one reason or another - usually injury. This championship everyone seems back from what i can see. It'll be interesting to see how they get on - they're a young side with a few older experienced lads in the mix like McCarry McVeigh and McNicholl. This season has been progress regardless of what happens now... bonus territory I suppose... aye they got beat by culloville in a replay back in 2011.. fingers crossed they'll go further this time around.

[Slemishgael]

Just on that point "This years Intermediate was the ideal time to do that given it was as close to a junior competition as an intermediate one"... where would you say the Antrim senior club championship ranks in Ulster at present?

[Hectic]

I think this year Ballymena have got a lot more experience into the depth of the squad.

That and a pretty clean bill of health should certainly see them well prepared.

[Hectic]

Just on that point "This years Intermediate was the ideal time to do that given it was as close to a junior competition as an intermediate one"... where would you say the Antrim senior club championship ranks in Ulster at present?

I believed from the start it was a one horse race - could be proven wrong shorty and be happy to be wrong.

I think Cargin are the only club equipped to give Ulster any sort of a go and that is on the basis of experience but even at that the jury is still out.  They gave Glen as hard a time as anyone past couple of years but local derby thing in the mix there too.

So the depth of our Senior Championship is poor right now in comparison to elsewhere IMO.

And on this years Intermediate in Antrim.  I mean from the point that any given year you would be looking at 3 or 4 teams when picking the winner.  Ballymena aside the other 2 or 3 teams would probably have been the 2 to drop from Div 1 and like of Aldergrove who were probably the 3rd team last year.  All were in Senior this year via meetings as opposed to their performances on the field.

So restructuring took those challenges out of the mix. And it won't get much better for the foreseeable so hopefully Ballymena can make a real fist of it this year.

[Slemishgael]

Have to agree... feel cargin the only senior club currently equipped to give ulster a rattle from Antrim. Unfortunately I'm not sure what that says about senior club football in Antrim if we're all honest. But great to see clubs making progress nonetheless and that van only be a good thing. Hope we've a brilliant final today. Best of luck to both teams!! Looking forward to it

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

That didn't look out!