Antrim Football Thread

[Saffrongael]

Full time coaches in our main secondary schools would be a good start. By main I mean central catchment areas for a lot of our clubs and big school populations.  Thinking St Mal's, St Mary's, St Louis Ballymena and possibly others.

What are the obstacles there?

Finance I assume is one?

And if finance the major stumbling block then would we be better forgoing development squads and aiming to put full time coaches in most schools?

Same coaches and same players getting coached, plus a lot more.  And they will be playing competitively in competitions from year 8 right through.

While schools hurling in Ulster is Tier 2, football has Tier 1 meaning our schools can aim to play at the very top end.  Plus Ulster schools dominate at All Ireland level in Tier 1 meaning if you can get in there you are competing against the very best. Maybe that is the point SS was trying to make.

Appreciate there may be an element where the schools don't put sporting achievement high among their priorities.  If that's the case can they be convinced?

St Louis currently have Emmett Bradley, Paddy McAleer and Sean Cassidy teaching there.

While they aren't full time coaches, surely you'd think between them they could get a tune out of their teams.

I mentioned before on here, county/Gaelfast should providing that extra assistance to them to take things up a level.

Even looking into an idea of having a combined schools team, like they do in Donegal, to push for entry in the MacRory Cup.

It wouldn't matter if you had Jim Gavin in high Micky Harte assisting him. You need the raw materials through the door to start with.

St Louis will suffer a bit as you probably need a Band 1 in the transfer test to get in.

St Mary's seem to be at least trying, early morning sessions for training as well as after school. They have several teachers who are heavily involved. I know from talking to someone who teaches in a sporting competitor it wouldn't happen in his school as the teachers wouldn't do the early morning sessions.

[InnocentByStander]

Yes, Casement bar still open

Afh doint. I know.  Thie wiife couminh to get mei noew

Hopefully this fella got home in one piece  , Many of good nights had in the casement social club , it would be good for the people on the board to get together some ni9ght and chat all things antrim if the interest was there? Maybe be too many clashes of heads lol

The shire desire for these two young lads who are clearly mates to have people believe they are much older beyond their years is hilarious, who the f*ck takes out their phone when out for a few pints to check Antrim Gaa Discussion board.

[AllStar15]

Yes, Casement bar still open

Afh doint. I know.  Thie wiife couminh to get mei noew

Hopefully this fella got home in one piece  , Many of good nights had in the casement social club , it would be good for the people on the board to get together some ni9ght and chat all things antrim if the interest was there? Maybe be too many clashes of heads lol

The shire desire for these two young lads who are clearly mates to have people believe they are much older beyond their years is hilarious, who the f*ck takes out their phone when out for a few pints to check Antrim Gaa Discussion board.

Horrendous stuff

[YoungSaff]

Yes, Casement bar still open

Afh doint. I know.  Thie wiife couminh to get mei noew

Hopefully this fella got home in one piece  , Many of good nights had in the casement social club , it would be good for the people on the board to get together some ni9ght and chat all things antrim if the interest was there? Maybe be too many clashes of heads lol

The shire desire for these two young lads who are clearly mates to have people believe they are much older beyond their years is hilarious, who the f*ck takes out their phone when out for a few pints to check Antrim Gaa Discussion board.

Innocent bystander

Would love to know where you have pulled this ideology from , you can say this about anyone whose repost I have replied to then going off your logic ??

All my posts maybe bar this have been regarding the state of Antrim football and engaging in discussions regarding county and club games.

For simply suggesting it would be good as board members to get together and share a pint or whatever for a bit of craic means I am somehow taking the piss? If you read through my posts you'll see clearly where I am from and an active member of the board so in future please keep your clown-like opinions to yourself.

[InnocentByStander]

Yes, Casement bar still open

Afh doint. I know.  Thie wiife couminh to get mei noew

Hopefully this fella got home in one piece  , Many of good nights had in the casement social club , it would be good for the people on the board to get together some ni9ght and chat all things antrim if the interest was there? Maybe be too many clashes of heads lol

The shire desire for these two young lads who are clearly mates to have people believe they are much older beyond their years is hilarious, who the f*ck takes out their phone when out for a few pints to check Antrim Gaa Discussion board.

Innocent bystander

Would love to know where you have pulled this ideology from , you can say this about anyone whose repost I have replied to then going off your logic ??

All my posts maybe bar this have been regarding the state of Antrim football and engaging in discussions regarding county and club games.

For simply suggesting it would be good as board members to get together and share a pint or whatever for a bit of craic means I am somehow taking the piss? If you read through my posts you'll see clearly where I am from and an active member of the board so in future please keep your clown-like opinions to yourself.

Looks like im not the only one with this opinion.

Account made in 2023 made 3 posts and comes back February 2025. I havnt been part of the board that long but I've seen many accounts like yours come and go.

Next you will be claiming to be part of the 1972 St comgalls winning junior championship team     

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Great team. Played again them manys a time

[YoungSaff]

Yes, Casement bar still open

Afh doint. I know.  Thie wiife couminh to get mei noew

Hopefully this fella got home in one piece  , Many of good nights had in the casement social club , it would be good for the people on the board to get together some ni9ght and chat all things antrim if the interest was there? Maybe be too many clashes of heads lol

The shire desire for these two young lads who are clearly mates to have people believe they are much older beyond their years is hilarious, who the f*ck takes out their phone when out for a few pints to check Antrim Gaa Discussion board.

Innocent bystander

Would love to know where you have pulled this ideology from , you can say this about anyone whose repost I have replied to then going off your logic ??

All my posts maybe bar this have been regarding the state of Antrim football and engaging in discussions regarding county and club games.

For simply suggesting it would be good as board members to get together and share a pint or whatever for a bit of craic means I am somehow taking the piss? If you read through my posts you'll see clearly where I am from and an active member of the board so in future please keep your clown-like opinions to yourself.

Looks like im not the only one with this opinion.

Account made in 2023 made 3 posts and comes back February 2025. I havnt been part of the board that long but I've seen many accounts like yours come and go.

Next you will be claiming to be part of the 1972 St comgalls winning junior championship team     

   never will I be claiming that as it is before my time lol!!

Opinion is all it is , I had not been on in a long time as honestly I got out of the way of watching the GAA as I was working in England and not often home , now I am back here full time. I try to just give my opinion on matters around the county and have conversations on this board , I don't mean to rub anyone the wrong way but try to have a bit of craic ! I just don't appreciate the backhanded remarks made at me and allegations I just enjoying reading and having conversations with fellow Gaels maybe my opinions or views aren't to agreement with everyone but I enjoy the reading and talking. Maybe I don't fit you (and whoever else you are talking abouts) agenda on here but I have been a passive member for a long time and just started to engage so please keep the comments to yourself. Thanks

[Cnoc Bán]

Full time coaches in our main secondary schools would be a good start. By main I mean central catchment areas for a lot of our clubs and big school populations.  Thinking St Mal's, St Mary's, St Louis Ballymena and possibly others.

What are the obstacles there?

Finance I assume is one?

And if finance the major stumbling block then would we be better forgoing development squads and aiming to put full time coaches in most schools?

Same coaches and same players getting coached, plus a lot more.  And they will be playing competitively in competitions from year 8 right through.

While schools hurling in Ulster is Tier 2, football has Tier 1 meaning our schools can aim to play at the very top end.  Plus Ulster schools dominate at All Ireland level in Tier 1 meaning if you can get in there you are competing against the very best. Maybe that is the point SS was trying to make.

Appreciate there may be an element where the schools don't put sporting achievement high among their priorities.  If that's the case can they be convinced?

St Louis currently have Emmett Bradley, Paddy McAleer and Sean Cassidy teaching there.

While they aren't full time coaches, surely you'd think between them they could get a tune out of their teams.

I mentioned before on here, county/Gaelfast should providing that extra assistance to them to take things up a level.

Even looking into an idea of having a combined schools team, like they do in Donegal, to push for entry in the MacRory Cup.

Why?
If it was that simple, you'd think there'd be a lot more tunes out of our county than we've had in the last 50 years.

Why? Because those 3 have a good pedigree in the game.

And I am not saying getting a tune out of them would be winning the MacRory Cup, all I mean is giving them a platform to build on that even remotely looked like they could enter the MacRory Cup in the next 5-10 years.

I have children in that school so I am well aware of what effort is put into it and that isn't at a level where it seems that anyone is overly interested, which is a pity.

[Hectic]

Full time coaches in our main secondary schools would be a good start. By main I mean central catchment areas for a lot of our clubs and big school populations.  Thinking St Mal's, St Mary's, St Louis Ballymena and possibly others.

What are the obstacles there?

Finance I assume is one?

And if finance the major stumbling block then would we be better forgoing development squads and aiming to put full time coaches in most schools?

Same coaches and same players getting coached, plus a lot more.  And they will be playing competitively in competitions from year 8 right through.

While schools hurling in Ulster is Tier 2, football has Tier 1 meaning our schools can aim to play at the very top end.  Plus Ulster schools dominate at All Ireland level in Tier 1 meaning if you can get in there you are competing against the very best. Maybe that is the point SS was trying to make.

Appreciate there may be an element where the schools don't put sporting achievement high among their priorities.  If that's the case can they be convinced?

I imagine you will find that the most significant element is that the pupils of these schools don't put sporting achievement high among their priorities and trying to motivate them to do so is like pulling teeth.

Are you suggesting there is some sort of inverse relationship between the academic level of a school and the sporting focus of its pupils?

Because as far as I can see St Mary's CBS, St Mal's and St Louis along with CPC Ballycastle are the prominent names in Antrim Cup finals in both football and hurling since the idea was hatched a few years ago.  CPC of course being central to the hurling stronghold of North Antrim.

[paddyjohn]

It's went to the dogs since Gerry Junior left

[ck]

We're all guilty of Antrim's current malaise.

Supporters, coaches, clubs - we have done nowhere near enough. Wrong culture, wrong coaching, wrong  structures.

Players as well shouldn't be absolved. Any player that gets to u20s level and hasn't worked on their physique  for  5 years, despite all the information out there, has questions to answer


Time for the county as a collective to accept our roles in this and change the foundations for the better 

Probably the truest post I've read on here. Bring your boots to the accountability fountain and fill them, because I agree there is plenty to go around for us all.

Totally agree. There's no hiding place, no excuse for this continual level of mediocrity. We are all culpable.

Also, nothing to be gained by taking pot shots at management or players.

Look in the mirror and see what you can do, influence or sponsor. And for the vast majority that will be around juvenile development in your own club.

Whilst I agree with you, I don't think anyone has had a pop at players on this forum. I was at the game and I think the set up did the players a massive disservice. Players were hung out to dry.
I just hope they can be better set up against a poor Fermanagh team for tomorrow so as to salvage something. Good luck to everyone tomorrow.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Full time coaches in our main secondary schools would be a good start. By main I mean central catchment areas for a lot of our clubs and big school populations.  Thinking St Mal's, St Mary's, St Louis Ballymena and possibly others.

What are the obstacles there?

Finance I assume is one?

And if finance the major stumbling block then would we be better forgoing development squads and aiming to put full time coaches in most schools?

Same coaches and same players getting coached, plus a lot more.  And they will be playing competitively in competitions from year 8 right through.

While schools hurling in Ulster is Tier 2, football has Tier 1 meaning our schools can aim to play at the very top end.  Plus Ulster schools dominate at All Ireland level in Tier 1 meaning if you can get in there you are competing against the very best. Maybe that is the point SS was trying to make.

Appreciate there may be an element where the schools don't put sporting achievement high among their priorities.  If that's the case can they be convinced?

I imagine you will find that the most significant element is that the pupils of these schools don't put sporting achievement high among their priorities and trying to motivate them to do so is like pulling teeth.

Are you suggesting there is some sort of inverse relationship between the academic level of a school and the sporting focus of its pupils?

Because as far as I can see St Mary's CBS, St Mal's and St Louis along with CPC Ballycastle are the prominent names in Antrim Cup finals in both football and hurling since the idea was hatched a few years ago.  CPC of course being central to the hurling stronghold of North Antrim.

No, and that's an odd take.

I'm saying that the most significant barrier to Antrim schools competing well in Ulster Colleges football is the take it or leave it attitude of the pupils despite the best efforts of the school staff to motivate them to do better.

It's often said that schools aren't prioritising sport. That may be the case at times but are the players themselves prioritising sport? Do they really care enough or do they treat it as a fcuk about to get out of class?

[SaffronSports]

Full time coaches in our main secondary schools would be a good start. By main I mean central catchment areas for a lot of our clubs and big school populations.  Thinking St Mal's, St Mary's, St Louis Ballymena and possibly others.

What are the obstacles there?

Finance I assume is one?

And if finance the major stumbling block then would we be better forgoing development squads and aiming to put full time coaches in most schools?

Same coaches and same players getting coached, plus a lot more.  And they will be playing competitively in competitions from year 8 right through.

While schools hurling in Ulster is Tier 2, football has Tier 1 meaning our schools can aim to play at the very top end.  Plus Ulster schools dominate at All Ireland level in Tier 1 meaning if you can get in there you are competing against the very best. Maybe that is the point SS was trying to make.

Appreciate there may be an element where the schools don't put sporting achievement high among their priorities.  If that's the case can they be convinced?

St Louis currently have Emmett Bradley, Paddy McAleer and Sean Cassidy teaching there.

While they aren't full time coaches, surely you'd think between them they could get a tune out of their teams.

I mentioned before on here, county/Gaelfast should providing that extra assistance to them to take things up a level.

Even looking into an idea of having a combined schools team, like they do in Donegal, to push for entry in the MacRory Cup.

It wouldn't matter if you had Jim Gavin in high Micky Harte assisting him. You need the raw materials through the door to start with.

St Louis will suffer a bit as you probably need a Band 1 in the transfer test to get in.

St Mary's seem to be at least trying, early morning sessions for training as well as after school. They have several teachers who are heavily involved. I know from talking to someone who teaches in a sporting competitor it wouldn't happen in his school as the teachers wouldn't do the early morning sessions.

St Louis ran a GAA Camp at midterm for P5 and P6 pupils. I'd be surprised if that wasn't to get a look at kids who might be an asset to their sporting programmes in a couple of years time.

[Round or stuffed]

Whats the u20s chances tomorrow, fermanagh suffered a bad beating Wednesday too, did they beat antrim last year?

[Gaels1789]

Whats the u20s chances tomorrow, fermanagh suffered a bad beating Wednesday too, did they beat antrim last year?


Not to sure about on there game last year, but they both took heavy tanking so hopefully both come out with something to prove and maybe the 20s can get over the line

Any players from Wednesday injured?

Is hynds suspended😳?