Antrim Football Thread

[Take the Mark]

Agreed BS, nobody will be losing sleep over these games and rightly so.

Out of interest, depleted side and departures? Who has gone?

[Hoof Hearted]

Everyone knows the season doesn't start until the group stages are over.
It's only a bit of craic for the next 5 months.
Can't see them getting ready to throw themselves over the bann bridge just yet down in PG1

[Christmas Lights]

Why is league football treated with utter disdain in Antrim? Can anyone explain it to me? This board makes it out that the league is a complete burden to teams,  I just don't get it?

[Milltown Row2]

Why is league football treated with utter disdain in Antrim? Can anyone explain it to me? This board makes it out that the league is a complete burden to teams,  I just don't get it?

It has no currency. There's nothing in it other than playing teams at a level than may improve your chances at championship with tinkering with the team.

Change the benefits, what it gives you, would it allow you better seeding in championship?

But here, and maybe elsewhere leagues are for playing, championships are for winning

[Spike]

Why is league football treated with utter disdain in Antrim? Can anyone explain it to me? This board makes it out that the league is a complete burden to teams,  I just don't get it?

Why would the clubs take it seriously when the County don't take it seriously?   A nonsense 16 team division 1

[Milltown Row2]

Why is league football treated with utter disdain in Antrim? Can anyone explain it to me? This board makes it out that the league is a complete burden to teams,  I just don't get it?

Why would the clubs take it seriously when the County don't take it seriously?   A nonsense 16 team division 1

You know the clubs voted for this? I'm surprised that I have repeat this every time...

[imtommygunn]

Is it not the same in Derry though? I don't think it's exclusive to Antrim and the split season plays a part.

[Milltown Row2]

As good of a league display iv seen from dunloy. Decky Smith as good as any footballer in the county.

There is a maturity with his game now that has come on in leaps and bounds, he controlled that game and everything played through him.

We never judge how  a game is going to unfold,  but looking at both teams with regards to availability it was going to be a tough game for Dunloy, but in fairness Creggan were not at full pelt either so a even enough game on the day and goals and two pointers win games now!

[NAG1]

As good of a league display iv seen from dunloy. Decky Smith as good as any footballer in the county.

There is a maturity with his game now that has come on in leaps and bounds, he controlled that game and everything played through him.

We never judge how  a game is going to unfold,  but looking at both teams with regards to availability it was going to be a tough game for Dunloy, but in fairness Creggan were not at full pelt either so a even enough game on the day and goals and two pointers win games now!

I would say that should be a serious wake up call, how many would Dunloy be missing from their first 15 at the moment?

Creggan would regard themselves at what a top 4 Div 1 one team? And we wonder on here why the County team aren't competing 

[AllStar15]

Why is league football treated with utter disdain in Antrim? Can anyone explain it to me? This board makes it out that the league is a complete burden to teams,  I just don't get it?

It has no currency. There's nothing in it other than playing teams at a level than may improve your chances at championship with tinkering with the team.

Change the benefits, what it gives you, would it allow you better seeding in championship?

But here, and maybe elsewhere leagues are for playing, championships are for winning

You are right MR2, give the top 4 seeds in the championship groups and it changes the dynamic of the league but still also punishes teams with county players. I would say though that any league games I have been to this year have been far from timid affairs, plenty of fire in them, I'm not sure this forum's opinion is representative of that.

[Milltown Row2]

As good of a league display iv seen from dunloy. Decky Smith as good as any footballer in the county.

There is a maturity with his game now that has come on in leaps and bounds, he controlled that game and everything played through him.

We never judge how  a game is going to unfold,  but looking at both teams with regards to availability it was going to be a tough game for Dunloy, but in fairness Creggan were not at full pelt either so a even enough game on the day and goals and two pointers win games now!

I would say that should be a serious wake up call, how many would Dunloy be missing from their first 15 at the moment?

Creggan would regard themselves at what a top 4 Div 1 one team? And we wonder on here why the County team aren't competing 

Like I said, Creggan probably missing a strong spine through the middle of that team. But that being said, Dunloy's footballing has come one a lot, that's no disrespect to how they were playing before, they have added retention of the ball better, building attacks and defending better, they still have that direct running at goal, which resulted in 3 goals yesterday so that attacking flare hasn't changed.. 

[Gaels1789]

Anyone underestimating Ballymena can do so at their peril. The new rules suit them, serious pace throughout and at full strength they should be thinking of hitting serious heights this year. Look like a team with a clear system and I see a team there that's playing for each other and really enjoying their football.

Casements on the other hand look like a team that is not sure where it is atm and the robust squad that was put together over the last few years is depleted with the departure of numerous players.

I would still expect them to regroup and get back to winning ways in due course when four or five staples return, but John has work to do to get their season started. No one will be panicking too much about the league in early April.


Depleted squad my balls, yous wouldn't know the half of it

[AllStar15]

Agreed BS, nobody will be losing sleep over these games and rightly so.

Out of interest, depleted side and departures? Who has gone?

Rumour is Niall McKeever has retired 

[YoungSaff]

Agreed BS, nobody will be losing sleep over these games and rightly so.

Out of interest, depleted side and departures? Who has gone?

Interested to hear this myself , as compared to other clubs PG1 don't appear to be missing too many so I am wondering how he means depleted?

You can't use depleted with a squad of 25-30 players majority of whom featured last year 

[Take the Mark]

Its not all doom and gloom for them, their latest signing grabbed a goal yesterday.