Antrim Football Thread

[Upandover]

I find the topic of culture within Antrim GAA interesting. You look at counties in the north such as say Derry Armagh and Tyrone for example and a vibrant GAA culture has been created within those counties over the years. There's a parochial element of this is our club, our parish and we have immense pride in our area and community and we want to do our best. Maybe more in regard to football with some hurling pockets to be fair. I'm only picking these 3 counties of the top of my head but they've generally good clubs, good schools and their county footballers tend to do a hell of a lot better than Antrim in all age groups. There's buy in from many people. These counties have a lot smaller population than Antrim yet possibly a bigger playing population. I think above all GAA culture starts in the household.. encourage the kids to get involved playing hurling football or comogie in the garden. Talk about the games. Exposing them to games be it on tv or down at a club or county game. It's planting the seed in their mind and getting parents and families in that GAA parish environment. It's back to that parochial thing of pride in your parish your community your school your club and county. I'm not so sure Antrim by and large have that? - some areas within the county do i think. Many passionate antrim gaels no doubt (many on this forum) but I don't think to the extent/volume as in other counties. In my line of work I work with a good few folk, women and men from the above 3 counties. They're all involved in some capacity in GAA and their kids are all involved from a young age because it's encouraged and its embraced. GAA is often a topic of conversation. It's not easy but they make the sacrifice and get involved in coaching and driving here there and everywhere to games etc and they support their counties all over ireland. For me I've always been involved in GAA, played both codes,loved my club and that parochial nature of things. Pride of Parish etc. But that's probably all based on my upbringing and being encouraged from a young age. I now try to do the same for my kids.. encourage the game in the household have the games on take them to the club etc and i see other neighbours doing likewise in my current parish. I think in Antrim we'll get there eventually but as mentioned before alot probably has to change at household and parish level. For me instilling a culture in the GAA all starts at home. Then yes schools clubs etc.. pride of place and where you're from is so important in GAA. Out of interest is there a lack of pride would you say amongst Antrim gaels in their county? Almost an 'I'm embarrassed I'm from Antrim' attitude? Sometimes I get that vibe from folk that we're beat before a ball is thrown in. Win our loose we should be proud Antrim gaels. Alot of hard work going on within the county but more needed as we all know. Let's encourage the basics first and foremost at home.

Agree with all of this and also agree with what alot of other posters are saying regards a babysitting service.

In my own club our u10s are made up of kids who also play soccer, our training overlaps with soccer games so the kids attend soccer, ive spoke with parents and a brave few came back with the same answer, they only enrolled their kids at the gaa to benefit them at soccer or in their own words "toughen" them up.

If you asked all 17 or 18 kids at that age group could they name a gaa player, do they go watch club or county games im sure the vast majority would struggle to do so.

The coaching roster is basically made up by parents, and its basically spread across some who do alot more than others then end up burnt out from being spread across too much.

My boys school has a current county down footballer teaching and an ex player from cargin, the school doesnt seem to play gaelic games, our facilities which are very good actually link onto the school and the school has daily access, could they be doing more?

In hurling alot of our kids attend training 1 hour a week then the hurl is chucked in a dark corner until the following week, nowhere near enough training.

Then the issue with clubs, in west belfast there is plenty, all drawing from the same area, is there anywhere else where clubs are so concentrated in one area?

I dont have the answers to the conundrum sadly.

[Milltown Row2]

I've banged on this drum for years and clubs won't give up their own identity so they will cling on and put out mediocre teams and expect to be better without doing the work

Too many teams in Belfast for the actual numbers that play, and too many other things to get on with, I could name 4 or 5 soccer teams in West Belfast when I was young and it was mostly made up of lads that all played GAA first and turned up at soccer as their second choice, been big changes since those days.

Losing kids to other sports is a GAA problem and that'd down to those formative years when making an impression on them is key. We've lost a right few (at my club) to soccer clubs in England as apprentices, they may make and may not, but fair play if they do.

I'd be happy if clubs keep their identity, but, they either need to amalgamate at juvenile level or at senior level, either way a club can keep its identity/history but if we want quality coaching across the board then we can't be relying on Paddy who's kid plays corner back at under 14 taking the teams cause no one else could be bothered..

Anyone here actually take any teams in their club will know its not easy at any level, the commitment is needed for both games and training sessions but if the numbers are low and spread thin as they are then, kids/parents/coaches all lose interest and Paddy is looking to get his kid into another club..

This is a talking shop with all teh right things at times being said, but too few are actually putting their shoulder to the wheel

[Upandover]

I've banged on this drum for years and clubs won't give up their own identity so they will cling on and put out mediocre teams and expect to be better without doing the work

Too many teams in Belfast for the actual numbers that play, and too many other things to get on with, I could name 4 or 5 soccer teams in West Belfast when I was young and it was mostly made up of lads that all played GAA first and turned up at soccer as their second choice, been big changes since those days.

Losing kids to other sports is a GAA problem and that'd down to those formative years when making an impression on them is key. We've lost a right few (at my club) to soccer clubs in England as apprentices, they may make and may not, but fair play if they do.

I'd be happy if clubs keep their identity, but, they either need to amalgamate at juvenile level or at senior level, either way a club can keep its identity/history but if we want quality coaching across the board then we can't be relying on Paddy who's kid plays corner back at under 14 taking the teams cause no one else could be bothered..

Anyone here actually take any teams in their club will know its not easy at any level, the commitment is needed for both games and training sessions but if the numbers are low and spread thin as they are then, kids/parents/coaches all lose interest and Paddy is looking to get his kid into another club..

This is a talking shop with all teh right things at times being said, but too few are actually putting their shoulder to the wheel

Again, couldnt agree more. Quite depressing when you think of it and shows the enormous amount of things that need to change.

My own lads play, youngest is 9 and a very strong hurler, plays the next age group up and is hurling 5 nights a week with the various age groupings, he loves it so im happy enough but growing up i think i would want better coaching tbh.

[Slemishgael]

In addition to what I said earlier about GAA culture and it starting within the household.. alot of us who play or played.. coach or coached... or are involved heavily in club or county or whatever.. what is it that drove you to be the best you could be and take a massive interest in our games? I know plenty are on here and I'm assuming it didn't cost much money to you personally, more so time and effort. Would be interesting to hear. For me there was always GAA in the household and it was encouraged and it was always enjoyable - so hooked. But when I think of it at primary school we had a headmaster who was big into gaelic games and promoted it greatly in school. That's were I really got the bug for our game outside the home.. you were exposed to playing the games every week. No one forced me ever to play obviously we were just encouraged and then it became a case of 'this is great'.. everyday was literally kicking a football or playing hurling either by yourself or with mates. Watching games and constantly being at the club. I don't want to paint myself as the model example..  far from it!! But our county would go a long way if we had more kids encouraged as I said before at their homes then school and club. I'm aware we're on a forum here (a talking shop).. but more so nowadays too many are stuck with head in a device instead outside playing our games or encouraged to play.. As i said previously we'll get there eventually.. when who knows.. as opposed to any overarching plan I think it'll happen organically from encouragement from within house to that pride of area/parish and will and want to represent school club and county. It's a tough one.. we all want the best for Antrim GAA. Never underestimate the importance of encouraging our games at home. Costs zero!!

[Upandover]

In addition to what I said earlier about GAA culture and it starting within the household.. alot of us who play or played.. coach or coached... or are involved heavily in club or county or whatever.. what is it that drove you to be the best you could be and take a massive interest in our games? I know plenty are on here and I'm assuming it didn't cost much money to you personally, more so time and effort. Would be interesting to hear. For me there was always GAA in the household and it was encouraged and it was always enjoyable - so hooked. But when I think of it at primary school we had a headmaster who was big into gaelic games and promoted it greatly in school. That's were I really got the bug for our game outside the home.. you were exposed to playing the games every week. No one forced me ever to play obviously we were just encouraged and then it became a case of 'this is great'.. everyday was literally kicking a football or playing hurling either by yourself or with mates. Watching games and constantly being at the club. I don't want to paint myself as the model example..  far from it!! But our county would go a long way if we had more kids encouraged as I said before at their homes then school and club. I'm aware we're on a forum here (a talking shop).. but more so nowadays too many are stuck with head in a device instead outside playing our games or encouraged to play.. As i said previously we'll get there eventually.. when who knows.. as opposed to any overarching plan I think it'll happen organically from encouragement from within house to that pride of area/parish and will and want to represent school club and county. It's a tough one.. we all want the best for Antrim GAA. Never underestimate the importance of encouraging our games at home. Costs zero!!

Where im from, the parish could incorporate 2 maybe 3 clubs!
Ive seen families where siblings will play for different clubs!

But yes, you are right, it starts at home, my lads are usually at our pitch 5 nights a week, they go and watch the seniors, they go to mist Antrim home games and have been to croke on numerous occasions taking in AI quarters and semi finals.

Not all families are like that though and the demographics of places are changing whether thats belfast or the glens.

[YoungSaff]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

[SaffronSports]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

Fair play Raymond, I hope you get the job.

[thegladiator]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

Fair play Raymond, I hope you get the job.

Don't know who he is but he's  not a paddies man.

[Gaels1789]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

Fair play Raymond, I hope you get the job.


Who the f**k is gonna put themselves forward for the Antrim job on the discussion board,

Anything between them ears ?

[YoungSaff]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

Fair play Raymond, I hope you get the job.

there's always one !!  Can't make any sensible suggestion and result to this nonsense. I am not Raymond McErlain!

[YoungSaff]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

Fair play Raymond, I hope you get the job.

Don't know who he is but he's  not a paddies man.

I must ask around the club just knew he was Belfast somewhere and told me that direction , thanks Gladiator 

[SlemishSoldier31]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

Ah would you catch yourself on seriously? If this is the same Raymond McErlain I am thinking of he hasn't managed a side since Covid and even then it was only at intermediate club level in Antrim.

What seriously makes you think this man has the credentials to now out of the blue take a senior county side?

Yes Ray was a great disciplinarian and could put some manners into some of the current players, but the man has been away from the game for the best part of 5 years  now what makes you think in any way that he would be a candidate for manager?

[bannside]

Some great points being made on here, and it's fairly depressing reading. That we have a long way to go is an understatement! Some on here have been round the loop on this, almost 20 years, and if we are being honest, we are not any closer to any kind of a breakthrough.

My own feeling on this is clear..we need an executive committee set up to run football matters, and give it exclusive focus.

On that committee would be several sub committees. One for new fundraising, one for schools  one for Coaching to make sure we have proper coaching across the board, and one for County team responsibility, minor and upward.

Each sub committee responsible for agreeing and achieving KP1s.

The coaching sub committee might prioritise another 3 or 4 full time  coaching positions, with responsibility for example for 4 clubs and 2 schools each. who will also be asked to contribute to the costs of the coach.

That would be some start...but the GAA dosent like sub committees and county officisldom arnt mad about it either. But unless we get half a dozen people gathered together to DRIVE this, we will still be talking about it in another 20 years.

[YoungSaff]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

Ah would you catch yourself on seriously? If this is the same Raymond McErlain I am thinking of he hasn't managed a side since Covid and even then it was only at intermediate club level in Antrim.

What seriously makes you think this man has the credentials to now out of the blue take a senior county side?

Yes Ray was a great disciplinarian and could put some manners into some of the current players, but the man has been away from the game for the best part of 5 years  now what makes you think in any way that he would be a candidate for manager?

Slemish

He made a great job of that intermediate side and made great strides towards promotion but was unlucky with how Covid fell

I feel like Antrim need this sort of discipline and I don't think you'd fall out with the man over money as he was never short of a few pound i remember him pulling up to a game in his brand new BMW X5 custom reg RAY 333 , so that would solve one issue as he was never in it for the money

was just a thought maybe he would be too old school for the modern game with some of his antics but can it get much worse

[SlemishSoldier31]

Does anyone think any of the club managers from Antrim will be throwing their hat in the ring ?

I can't see us grabbing any big names without forking out a fortune maybe best to look internally and try save some money to invest elsewhere ?

There was a lad came in helped with our seniors for a while everyone had good reports on him (i was not involved at the time) I think he is originally from Belfast around sarsfields? not sure if any of you know him Raymond McErlain , not sure if he is still involved in coaching think he could be a good fit for the job if he would be interested ,

Ah would you catch yourself on seriously? If this is the same Raymond McErlain I am thinking of he hasn't managed a side since Covid and even then it was only at intermediate club level in Antrim.

What seriously makes you think this man has the credentials to now out of the blue take a senior county side?

Yes Ray was a great disciplinarian and could put some manners into some of the current players, but the man has been away from the game for the best part of 5 years  now what makes you think in any way that he would be a candidate for manager?

Agree with everything you have said their bannside hit the nail on the head with what needs to be done to at least start making a change and get out of the current rut.

As for some of the names that I have heard have applied for the county job through the grape vine we could be in even more trouble than we currently are. I would like to hope that even the clowns who run our county would be able to recognise that these applicants are nowhere near the level to take a senior county side, however the current applications aren't looking promising .

Regards,
SS