Antrim Hurling

[JonnyD_]

honestly, i'll be surprised if we beat Laois or Carlow. doom and gloom here but there's nothing from the performances or set up suggesting otherwise. To add to that we'll not win a championship match - we've a stinking draw. the dubs and cats at home will be too tough and the other teams away will be real challenges. maybe we need to see performances and not necessarily the results at this stage under DF's tenure.
if we get the performances in the opening games we could sneak a something out of the offaly game - i think thats the last one towards end of May.

[NAG1]

Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Offaly and Wexford.

Who are we targeting for a win there to keep us in Leinster?

Fair point. At our best, which is rare, I'd say we should target Dublin, Offaly and Wexford.

Definitely big underdogs in all those games. Not sure if the draw has been made yet? Can't see anywhere but hopefully those games at Corrigan.

Wexford, Offaly & Galway are away - just two home games against Dublin & Kilkenny

Wexford will be waiting in the long grass after last year's match. Rossiter will probably have them hopping off the changing room walls for that match.

The Biffos in Tullamore is winnable and its a match that Antrim must win.

Three weeks ago I'd have agreed with you and yes, maybe that's a game that could be more for Antrim to target, on current form Offaly are going into that game as favourites although they historical have been pretty generous to us Nordies in terms of results against them.

What is Davy at with Antrim?

I always thought he set out teams way too defensive, allowing opposition teams to dominate possession and at this level all teams use possession very well and won't allow a sweeper or sweepers to control the game when sitting deep in front of their fullback line.

Ironically his last crowning glory was the 2013 AI final replay (with Kinnerk I hasten to add) when he knew Cork were weak defensively and went man to man with them, bagging 5 goals in the process.

Think that is what everyone is trying to figure out.

There seems to be no real plan other than to repeatedly lose our puck outs by going long in to crowded spaces.

[johnnycool]

Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Offaly and Wexford.

Who are we targeting for a win there to keep us in Leinster?

Fair point. At our best, which is rare, I'd say we should target Dublin, Offaly and Wexford.

Definitely big underdogs in all those games. Not sure if the draw has been made yet? Can't see anywhere but hopefully those games at Corrigan.

Wexford, Offaly & Galway are away - just two home games against Dublin & Kilkenny

Wexford will be waiting in the long grass after last year's match. Rossiter will probably have them hopping off the changing room walls for that match.

The Biffos in Tullamore is winnable and its a match that Antrim must win.

Three weeks ago I'd have agreed with you and yes, maybe that's a game that could be more for Antrim to target, on current form Offaly are going into that game as favourites although they historical have been pretty generous to us Nordies in terms of results against them.

What is Davy at with Antrim?

I always thought he set out teams way too defensive, allowing opposition teams to dominate possession and at this level all teams use possession very well and won't allow a sweeper or sweepers to control the game when sitting deep in front of their fullback line.

Ironically his last crowning glory was the 2013 AI final replay (with Kinnerk I hasten to add) when he knew Cork were weak defensively and went man to man with them, bagging 5 goals in the process.

Think that is what everyone is trying to figure out.

There seems to be no real plan other than to repeatedly lose our puck outs by going long in to crowded spaces.

These are called overloads in the new coaching parlance.

That's OK if you've lads capable of winning that type of ball.

[NAG1]

Oh I know what they are called JC, just wondering at what point we realise its a absolute disaster for the type of player we have at the moment.

But when a member of the back room team is calling each and every puck out I guess this is what you end up with 

[Antrim Coaster]

Antrim's last league match is against Laois in Ballycastle on March 9th. They then play Wexford in the championship on April 19. That's the guts of 5 weeks to turn things around and have Antrim championship ready.

Having watched the Dublin and Waterford matches and the Biffo match on TV, I'm not sure what sort of system or pattern of play Antrim are trying to adhere to, bar using the sweeper,  but things really need to change and soon.

The 3 matches Antrim have already played, players appear to be lost. Normally on the sideline Davy is hopping mad, shouting for every ball etc. The past 2 matches he has been very subdued.

Im wondering if he lost his mojo and enthusiasm for the game or else he is blowing smoke up everyone's arse to hit the championship with a bang. I hope this is the case.

The Hurling Pod on Off The Ball with Skehill, Murph and Will The Biffo have their take around 58 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWYbKwhBOPI

[johnnycool]

Oh I know what they are called JC, just wondering at what point we realise its a absolute disaster for the type of player we have at the moment.

But when a member of the back room team is calling each and every puck out I guess this is what you end up with 

Do they stand out of the dugout like these set piece coaches at Arsenal and Villa with some sort of tic-tac-toe signalling?

[NAG1]

Oh I know what they are called JC, just wondering at what point we realise its a absolute disaster for the type of player we have at the moment.

But when a member of the back room team is calling each and every puck out I guess this is what you end up with 

Do they stand out of the dugout like these set piece coaches at Arsenal and Villa with some sort of tic-tac-toe signalling?

Actually might be better doing that.

But actually are behind the goals as far as I am aware.

[Milltown Row2]

Oh I know what they are called JC, just wondering at what point we realise its a absolute disaster for the type of player we have at the moment.

But when a member of the back room team is calling each and every puck out I guess this is what you end up with 

Do they stand out of the dugout like these set piece coaches at Arsenal and Villa with some sort of tic-tac-toe signalling?

Actually might be better doing that.

But actually are behind the goals as far as I am aware.

Not allowed behind the goals so must be behind the fence

[marty34]

Davy Fitz's teams alway micro-managed. Not a good thing.

Not sure what the point is of telling Ryan where to put the puck-out.  He's an experienced keeper.

I always think Antrim are competitive in Corrigan Pk. and that gets them a few wins in league and championship. Looks different this year though...so far.

Be hard if Antrim slip down one more rung of the ladder. 

[marty34]

Piece from  sports outlet:

Antrim hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald says his squad's savage training sessions are not translating on to the field for matches at the moment.

Yesterday's 2-23 to 0-11 defeat to Waterford at Corrigan Park marks their third loss in four games in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League and, speaking to BBC Sport NI afterwards, Fitzgerald felt that the visitors were keen to send him a message.

"If you come and see us train, we are savage, so (in games) it is a psychological thing not a physical one," he stated

"I feel gutted for Antrim supporters and the people putting in hard work. How we play and how we train are completely different.

"You shouldn't be beat by that many points at home. Waterford were on song today and wanted to show me a message since I didn't go back down there, and they did."

Asked about his own future after just one win from four outings in the league, the Clare man added: "Don't think I don't look at myself, I'm looking at everything but that issue of not fighting hard enough was there before I was, but I'm not going to give up, I'm going to get that fight right.

"I thought it was going to get worse before it got better, I said that at the start, we need to show the people of Antrim that we do care and sort the inconsistencies out. If I can't do it, I will let someone else, I'm not here to glorify myself, I am here to help and see if I can make things better, that is the only reason I put myself through this."



Not sure what Davy's trying to say here. Does he think Waterford wanted to hammer Antrim because Davy was their manager?

I think it was more because they got beat by Carlow the last day out and they were going to tank whoever was in front on them the next day out.

[Milltown Row2]

Was the Waterford team much different to the team they had out against Carlow?

[SaffronSports]

Piece from  sports outlet:

Antrim hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald says his squad's savage training sessions are not translating on to the field for matches at the moment.

Yesterday's 2-23 to 0-11 defeat to Waterford at Corrigan Park marks their third loss in four games in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League and, speaking to BBC Sport NI afterwards, Fitzgerald felt that the visitors were keen to send him a message.

"If you come and see us train, we are savage, so (in games) it is a psychological thing not a physical one," he stated

"I feel gutted for Antrim supporters and the people putting in hard work. How we play and how we train are completely different.

"You shouldn't be beat by that many points at home. Waterford were on song today and wanted to show me a message since I didn't go back down there, and they did."

Asked about his own future after just one win from four outings in the league, the Clare man added: "Don't think I don't look at myself, I'm looking at everything but that issue of not fighting hard enough was there before I was, but I'm not going to give up, I'm going to get that fight right.

"I thought it was going to get worse before it got better, I said that at the start, we need to show the people of Antrim that we do care and sort the inconsistencies out. If I can't do it, I will let someone else, I'm not here to glorify myself, I am here to help and see if I can make things better, that is the only reason I put myself through this."



Not sure what Davy's trying to say here. Does he think Waterford wanted to hammer Antrim because Davy was their manager?

I think it was more because they got beat by Carlow the last day out and they were going to tank whoever was in front on them the next day out.

Basically, Davy is so arrogant that he thinks players don't care or take pride in their own performance and only want to perform to annoy him.

[JonnyD_]

dont know how you are getting that from those comments... bizarre reading of the comments.

Piece from  sports outlet:

Antrim hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald says his squad's savage training sessions are not translating on to the field for matches at the moment.

Yesterday's 2-23 to 0-11 defeat to Waterford at Corrigan Park marks their third loss in four games in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League and, speaking to BBC Sport NI afterwards, Fitzgerald felt that the visitors were keen to send him a message.

"If you come and see us train, we are savage, so (in games) it is a psychological thing not a physical one," he stated

"I feel gutted for Antrim supporters and the people putting in hard work. How we play and how we train are completely different.

"You shouldn't be beat by that many points at home. Waterford were on song today and wanted to show me a message since I didn't go back down there, and they did."

Asked about his own future after just one win from four outings in the league, the Clare man added: "Don't think I don't look at myself, I'm looking at everything but that issue of not fighting hard enough was there before I was, but I'm not going to give up, I'm going to get that fight right.

"I thought it was going to get worse before it got better, I said that at the start, we need to show the people of Antrim that we do care and sort the inconsistencies out. If I can't do it, I will let someone else, I'm not here to glorify myself, I am here to help and see if I can make things better, that is the only reason I put myself through this."



Not sure what Davy's trying to say here. Does he think Waterford wanted to hammer Antrim because Davy was their manager?

I think it was more because they got beat by Carlow the last day out and they were going to tank whoever was in front on them the next day out.

Basically, Davy is so arrogant that he thinks players don't care or take pride in their own performance and only want to perform to annoy him.

[Saffrongael]

Was the Waterford team much different to the team they had out against Carlow?

Waterford v Carlow Shaun O'Brien; Seamus Fitzgerald, Mark Fitzgerald, Ian Kenny; Michael Kiely, Tom Barron, Michael Mullaney; Conor Sheahan, Jack Prendergast; Padraig Fitzgerald, Jamie Barron, Sean Walsh; Kevin Mahony, Shane Bennett, Patrick Fitzgerald.




WATERFORD v Antrim: Billy Nolan; Conor Ryan, Conor Prunty, Iarlaith Daly; Michael Kelly, Mark Fitzgerald, Paddy Leavey; Jack Prendergast, Conor Sheahan; Padraig Fitzgerald, Jamie Barron, Charlie Treen; Kevin Mahony, Stephen Bennettt, Dessie Hutchinson.

Those in bold didn't play against Carlow, they obviosiwky went stronger v Antrim - maybe that was always their plan as the league progressed or more likely as it was basically a must win game their hand was forced.

[groundlie]

Hopefully the lads can produce a strong performance on Sunday. We have so much quality but it's just about it clicking in a new system. Hopefully James McNaughton, Kealan Molloy, the Elliots and a solid defensive performance will make us competitive in Carlow. There's absolutely no doubt that this squad has it in them. Carlow will be clear favourites so hopefully that takes some pressure off Antrim and they express themselves as the good hurlers we know they are.