Antrim Football Thread

[YoungSaff]

I'm heading to Moneyglass & Toome to see if I can talk Snoopy & Screamer to comeback again.

Two of the best !

 Is Richie Leahy in through Moneyglass now ? I seen pictured taking udnerage girls games , must have daughters playing there now!

[bannside]

The fact that no one at all is commenting on the county teams exit from the Tailteean Cup on Sunday is interesting. There's an old saying that the only thing worse than everyone talking about you is that no one is talking about you. In this case the silence is deafening.

I imagine there was quite a few who expected Andy to bring out his farewell speech in the dressing room after the game, but....that didn't happen.

I promised to be consistent in calling it when I feel a managers time is up, and in my opinion that time is now upon us.

That's despite being assured the dressing room is still very much intact, and after 3 years that in itself is a credit.

I base my opinion on several factors, but the main one is that if I'm being honest, I never ever felt we had a fair to reasonable chance of going places in this year's Tailteean...never mind championship. That needs to go down as significant because in previous years I thought we had a punchers chance.

The second factor is the support for the team has dwindled way down to it's lowest level for years. Outside of family and friends and half time underage matches, the ground would be empty.

I think Andy should weigh this up and make the right call. Year three was difficult, why would year 4 be any better?

On a personal note I thought Andy and Tom brought something different to the table, and put in a huge shift, often against the backdrop of a horrendous injury list. So I don't think they need to slam the door on the way out, just walk out with dignity, knowing you gave it your all and you have made plenty of friends in the process.

Really this is between Andys conscience that he can turn it around with another year, and the county board (or County Committee) who have a hard call to make.

Taking all personalities out of the equation, what is the best for Antrim football. That's the only thing that matters!

[imtommygunn]

BS I pretty much agree with your entire post.

The injury list thing I wonder about - is it the training or is it that our guys haven't been exposed to that kind of training before I don't know.

[BigGreenField]

BS I pretty much agree with your entire post.

The injury list thing I wonder about - is it the training or is it that our guys haven't been exposed to that kind of training before I don't know.

Regardless of which one it needs looked at, I think it's 8 serious injuries sustained in training over 3 years.

My only question on changing the manager is can someone better be got?

The policy of the wider squad not being permitted to play club games for sustained periods of time when they are not really in contention for match day selection also needs assessed, total nonsense.

Clubs also need to look in the mirror at league structures, club level coaching etc.

On the ref's thing, there is a stat that premier league soccer ref's make 245 decisions a game (play on, no foul, free, sideline etc)

Bearing in mind soccer is a significantly less complicated and less physical sport than gaelic football (not minding the pitch size) I'd imagine the number of decisions a Gaa ref has to take (consciously or not) is a multiple of that.

[YoungSaff]

BS I pretty much agree with your entire post.

The injury list thing I wonder about - is it the training or is it that our guys haven't been exposed to that kind of training before I don't know.

Regardless of which one it needs looked at, I think it's 8 serious injuries sustained in training over 3 years.

My only question on changing the manager is can someone better be got?

The policy of the wider squad not being permitted to play club games for sustained periods of time when they are not really in contention for match day selection also needs assessed, total nonsense.

Clubs also need to look in the mirror at league structures, club level coaching etc.

On the ref's thing, there is a stat that premier league soccer ref's make 245 decisions a game (play on, no foul, free, sideline etc)

Bearing in mind soccer is a significantly less complicated and less physical sport than gaelic football (not minding the pitch size) I'd imagine the number of decisions a Gaa ref has to take (consciously or not) is a multiple of that.

Nail on the head with bold , never understood this!

[Take the Mark]

BS I pretty much agree with your entire post.

The injury list thing I wonder about - is it the training or is it that our guys haven't been exposed to that kind of training before I don't know.

What about a physio? Perhaps start there?

[EOC1923]

I commented on this issue Sunday BS, with similar but not as detailed comments. Surprisingly McEntee could carry on and by the looks of his interview after he isn't ruling it out. It needs a fresh pair of eyes, maybe surprising to some but I think Kevin Madden deserves a shot at it. Has several years intercounty experience with Derry and Tyrone, People can say he got relegated with Clonoe. I was at a couple of their games and I would argue they actually punched above their weight last season all things considered. He knows every player in Antrim and will have his own informed opinions on them. What more can you ask really and being in Division 4 gives a chance to start from the bottom and go up the way. That is my fivers worth.

[Spike]

Andy isn't stupid, it would be surprising if he ruled himself out of remaining until he secured his next post.

Could be Andy was listening to the wrong people in the background.  He was ultimately culpable in decision making though feel his ear was bent incorrectly towards the squad calibre.   

A lot of players got exposure to county football which can only be a good thing. Hopefully the taste of it increases their appetite for it. 

I worry we are already peddling names of managers who have done or won nothing in the managerial game, most importantly at county level.   McEntee and McGinley's appointments felt like we were moving away from that tired formula.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Andy isn't stupid, it would be surprising if he ruled himself out of remaining until he secured his next post.

Could be Andy was listening to the wrong people in the background.  He was ultimately culpable in decision making though feel his ear was bent incorrectly towards the squad calibre.   

A lot of players got exposure to county football which can only be a good thing. Hopefully the taste of it increases their appetite for it. 

I worry we are already peddling names of managers who have done or won nothing in the managerial game, most importantly at county level.  McEntee and McGinley's appointments felt like we were moving away from that tired formula.

[Cnoc Bán]

I'm heading to Moneyglass & Toome to see if I can talk Snoopy & Screamer to comeback again.

Two of the best !

 Is Richie Leahy in through Moneyglass now ? I seen pictured taking udnerage girls games , must have daughters playing there now!

Yep Richie and Amanda jumped ship from St Comgalls (your club isn't it?) a season or two ago.

Think there was a bit of a fall out.

I believe they have a couple of daughters playing for Moneyglass underage and Amanda possibly still togs out for their senior reserve team.

[YoungSaff]

I'm heading to Moneyglass & Toome to see if I can talk Snoopy & Screamer to comeback again.

Two of the best !

 Is Richie Leahy in through Moneyglass now ? I seen pictured taking udnerage girls games , must have daughters playing there now!

Yep Richie and Amanda jumped ship from St Comgalls (your club isn't it?) a season or two ago.

Think there was a bit of a fall out.

I believe they have a couple of daughters playing for Moneyglass underage and Amanda possibly still togs out for their senior reserve team.

It is ! I had heard a lot of rumours in the club as to why they had left , didn't know the daughters also had also transferred , if what I heard about the club is true he wont be missed around here and goodluck to him in moneyglass  , a leopard doesn't change its spots !

[bannside]

Probably best to see how the dust settles in the next few weeks, eg Countys thinking on it, Andys own thinking on it. We are in no mad rush here...that's the upside of being one of the the first counties to have exited the scene in 2025!

There's plenty of credible candidates out there and division four is a great opportunity for both management and the team to bounce back.

[Spike]

Andy isn't stupid, it would be surprising if he ruled himself out of remaining until he secured his next post.

Could be Andy was listening to the wrong people in the background.  He was ultimately culpable in decision making though feel his ear was bent incorrectly towards the squad calibre.   

A lot of players got exposure to county football which can only be a good thing. Hopefully the taste of it increases their appetite for it. 

I worry we are already peddling names of managers who have done or won nothing in the managerial game, most importantly at county level.  McEntee and McGinley's appointments felt like we were moving away from that tired formula.

Sorry Kevin

[Spike]

Probably best to see how the dust settles in the next few weeks, eg Countys thinking on it, Andys own thinking on it. We are in no mad rush here...that's the upside of being one of the the first counties to have exited the scene in 2025!

There's plenty of credible candidates out there and division four is a great opportunity for both management and the team to bounce back.

Correct - we have time here to make a sensible and informed decision on what direction we want to go in

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Andy isn't stupid, it would be surprising if he ruled himself out of remaining until he secured his next post.

Could be Andy was listening to the wrong people in the background.  He was ultimately culpable in decision making though feel his ear was bent incorrectly towards the squad calibre.   

A lot of players got exposure to county football which can only be a good thing. Hopefully the taste of it increases their appetite for it. 

I worry we are already peddling names of managers who have done or won nothing in the managerial game, most importantly at county level.  McEntee and McGinley's appointments felt like we were moving away from that tired formula.

Sorry Kevin

When McGinley was appointed as Antrim manager, his managerial experience consisted of a wet weekend in Swatragh.