Antrim Football Thread

[Christmas Lights]

Why is there 14 teams in under 16 D2 but only 7 in D1?

The likes of Creggan,  Cargin, Ballymena,,  LD, ODonovan Rossa, Aghagallon,  Dunloy all playing D2??

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

That's the way the senior should be too.

[Spike]

Gallagher has to be an option? 

we're desperate but not that desperate

[Spike]

Why is there 14 teams in under 16 D2 but only 7 in D1?

The likes of Creggan,  Cargin, Ballymena,,  LD, ODonovan Rossa, Aghagallon,  Dunloy all playing D2??

certainly needs evened up as some teams playing in Div 2 that are too good for it, Dunloy being one of 3 or 4.  some coaches or club admins need an ego check.

[Cnoc Bán]

Why is there 14 teams in under 16 D2 but only 7 in D1?

The likes of Creggan,  Cargin, Ballymena,,  LD, ODonovan Rossa, Aghagallon,  Dunloy all playing D2??

Some of the teams mentioned there are surely only named because of reputation.

Cargin, Aghagallon and Ballymena certainly aren't strong at that age group.

Nor have they been with that group and adjacent ages right up from U12.

Do you think certain teams should play Div 1 just because of the name of their club, rather than assessing the actual strength of the panel?

Not having a go by the way, it is a genuine question.

The impression I get with Dunloy is, they know they are good enough to play and compete Div 1 U16 and Minor, their Feile win shows that, but the big ball will always be secondary so the focus is on Div 1 Hurling at underage.

[AllStar15]

There's a big gap between div 1 and 2 at that age - Aldergrove beat Dunloy handy in a SW comp I seen posted, AG bottom of 1 and Dunloy top of 2

[Hoof Hearted]

Having seen most of the teams play, Dunloy are the only ones who should be in div 1
Although they are in div 1 championship do not sure why they are playing div 2 league
It's not great preparation

[Take the Mark]

Having seen most of the teams play, Dunloy are the only ones who should be in div 1
Although they are in div 1 championship do not sure why they are playing div 2 league
It's not great preparation

Of course not Moneyglass, no way - they have only scored 45 goals in 6 games against their opponents after all.

Par for the course though

[BigGreenField]

Some of the mismatches and lopsided structure is due to the move from 4 divisions to 3.

The county should move to all county at u14 both for player development and it would also help get the grading right before clubs get to u16.


After that diversion, I see the bbc is touting P McGrath as a candidate for the Antrim job, or maybe they just had a paragraph to fill.

[YoungSaff]

Having seen most of the teams play, Dunloy are the only ones who should be in div 1
Although they are in div 1 championship do not sure why they are playing div 2 league
It's not great preparation

Of course not Moneyglass, no way - they have only scored 45 goals in 6 games against their opponents after all.

Par for the course though

Agree , one of my friends young lads plays for them says they have a good team and I had to laugh , what is the point in hindering the development of lads player against lesser opposition to get a bit of silverware.

Iron sharpens iron !!

[Hoof Hearted]

Having seen most of the teams play, Dunloy are the only ones who should be in div 1
Although they are in div 1 championship do not sure why they are playing div 2 league
It's not great preparation

Of course not Moneyglass, no way - they have only scored 45 goals in 6 games against their opponents after all.

Par for the course though

Have also conceded 20
Played div 1 last year with a better team and took several 30 plus point hammerings
So div 1 again this was out of the question. Imo they are in the right league.

[Hoof Hearted]

Maybe it's an idea to go down the soccer route
Play a supplementary league for the first half, then grade them. Play the second half and championship at the level you've earned.
Probably end up with teams purposely playing crap for the first half, just to get into a b or c championship just to have a trophy at the dinner dance and sod development

[SaffronSports]

Maybe it's an idea to go down the soccer route
Play a supplementary league for the first half, then grade them. Play the second half and championship at the level you've earned.
Probably end up with teams purposely playing crap for the first half, just to get into a b or c championship just to have a trophy at the dinner dance and sod development

Was just going to post similar. I remember when I was a lad we used to go up to Mallusk a few weeks at the beginning of a season to play soccer matches and this then sorted out what division you went into. It's not easy trying to grade your own team and I know in ladies football they keep results from previous seasons and will question it if someone tries to play at a lower level.

There can be issues within leagues too though. I've been coaching our u14s two years now and last season we won a few but more often had heavy beatings. This year we've had a few big wins but also a few beatings. Neither year where we the best or worst in our league. To really get an even playing field you might have to have about 10 divisions but then you'll have 3 or 4 teams per division and ultimately you just want matches at underage. Difficult balance to get right.

[Take the Mark]

Probably end up with teams purposely playing crap for the first half, just to get into a b or c championship just to have a trophy at the dinner dance and sod development

Christ almighty what a ridiculous comment. There are no kids capable of 'playing crap' on purpose for half a league. Stay away from coaching if this enters your head.

[YoungSaff]

Probably end up with teams purposely playing crap for the first half, just to get into a b or c championship just to have a trophy at the dinner dance and sod development

Christ almighty what a ridiculous comment. There are no kids capable of 'playing crap' on purpose for half a league. Stay away from coaching if this enters your head.

Think he maybe just poorly phrased , probably meant fielding a weaker team , well you'd hope !