Antrim Hurling

[Saffron_sam20]

Should be corrigan, the fact it's st John's ground shouldn't matter. County threw money at it to make it a better ground, use it. What happens in other counties?

It shouldnt be in Corrigan, even if St Johns weren't in it!  Parking is a shambles and it's no place for a large crowd (even though the crowd would actually be reduced significantly IMO by having it in Corrigan as many neutrals wouldn't go).

I'm not a fan of Ballycastle as it's very exposed.  My choice would have been Dunloy.

I also totally disagree with IHC and JHC cship matches being played under sub standard lights at this time of the year.  There is no reason why those games couldn't have been played in daylight.

seems to be grand for a big crowd for county games in Div 1? it seems fine when we were doing the Corrigan or nowhere for the Armagh football game? I mean for this time of year our county final should be in a ground that at least has the option for stand and a terrace.

I dont think the crowds at the county Div 1 games are comparable to the county hurling final.

You don't think an Antrim Kilkenny game is comparable to the county final for crowds? What about the Armagh football comparison then

No , I don't think the crowd at a county hurling final, particular one involving lgiel, is comparable to an NHL Division 1 game.  That is perhaps a sad fact.

On the Armagh game..  Firstly, was it  not the inability for corrigan park to safely host a large crowd that was the nub of the issue in the first place?  And I think it was the case that there were no alternatives within Antrim allowed to be put forward as they weren't designated county grounds or something. So I think Antrim were right to dig their heels in over a home venue but it should not have been corrigan at all costs, if other more suitable venues would be allowed.

Another factor in it all is the financial aspect.  There would be several hundred more attending in person at a north Antrim venue and I am sure the county board will welcome additional 5/10k gate receipts

wasnt an issue taking 2 North Antrim clubs up to Corrigan last year. Corrigan is the county ground, it has much better facilities than Ballycastle, the game should be there. the teams involved shouldnt matter

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Corrigan isnt the best ground, its only the county ground because of the fact its got a sheltered stand and the county put the money into the place to use themselves.

Its not a good place to go and watch a game with a large ground due to the fact its a health & safety nightmare when its full.

Anyone who was at the Cdall v Lgiel final and stood on the grass side can attest to that. It was a nightmare to move on that side of the pitch, so much so they had to announce that supporters couldn't walk around the ground due to the bottle neck that was happening where the middle of the pitch was. They had to put stewards in place to turn people away due to how dangerous it had become for over crowding.

Just to cap it off you cant see the score board either on that side!

Ballycasltle is a much better place to be able to stand right around the pitch with plenty of room to move about. Its why so many finals have been taken there over the last few years.

[podge]

Should be corrigan, the fact it's st John's ground shouldn't matter. County threw money at it to make it a better ground, use it. What happens in other counties?

It shouldnt be in Corrigan, even if St Johns weren't in it!  Parking is a shambles and it's no place for a large crowd (even though the crowd would actually be reduced significantly IMO by having it in Corrigan as many neutrals wouldn't go).

I'm not a fan of Ballycastle as it's very exposed.  My choice would have been Dunloy.

I also totally disagree with IHC and JHC cship matches being played under sub standard lights at this time of the year.  There is no reason why those games couldn't have been played in daylight.

seems to be grand for a big crowd for county games in Div 1? it seems fine when we were doing the Corrigan or nowhere for the Armagh football game? I mean for this time of year our county final should be in a ground that at least has the option for stand and a terrace.

I dont think the crowds at the county Div 1 games are comparable to the county hurling final.

You don't think an Antrim Kilkenny game is comparable to the county final for crowds? What about the Armagh football comparison then

No , I don't think the crowd at a county hurling final, particular one involving lgiel, is comparable to an NHL Division 1 game.  That is perhaps a sad fact.

On the Armagh game..  Firstly, was it  not the inability for corrigan park to safely host a large crowd that was the nub of the issue in the first place?  And I think it was the case that there were no alternatives within Antrim allowed to be put forward as they weren't designated county grounds or something. So I think Antrim were right to dig their heels in over a home venue but it should not have been corrigan at all costs, if other more suitable venues would be allowed.

Another factor in it all is the financial aspect.  There would be several hundred more attending in person at a north Antrim venue and I am sure the county board will welcome additional 5/10k gate receipts

wasnt an issue taking 2 North Antrim clubs up to Corrigan last year. Corrigan is the county ground, it has much better facilities than Ballycastle, the game should be there. the teams involved shouldnt matter

The main reasons for my view that it shouldn't be in corrigan are nothing really to do with st John's being in it.

Small stand does not necessarily equal better overall facilities....

[Saffrongael]

Minor final very competitive today in Cushendun.

Was close until Bradley got the goal with about 5 or 6 mins to go, think Cushendall scored about 1-4 to Glenariffes 0-1 in that spell.

[SaffronSports]

Minor final very competitive today in Cushendun.

Was close until Bradley got the goal with about 5 or 6 mins to go, think Cushendall scored about 1-4 to Glenariffes 0-1 in that spell.

Not sure of the exact numbers but definitely went from 3 in it to 9 over that spell. Bradley is a special talent. Glenariffe actually defended well on him and he still walked away with 1-14. Cushendall just a wee bit bigger in key areas and were better on the breaking ball.

I ended up staying for the u14 final afterwards. Brilliant match. Naomh Padraig beat Gael na Gliniti by 2 points. Young gng lad had a ground ball in the dying seconds and probably made too good a contact which put it over the bar instead of into the net. Some great players on both teams and a really enjoyable game.

[Saffrongael]

What way do we see the weekend going ?

Think Glenariffe and Loughgiel to a lesser extent will be comfortable enough winners

[paddyjohn]

What way do we see the weekend going ?

Think Glenariffe and Loughgiel to a lesser extent will be comfortable enough winners

Agree, but St Johns could spring an upset handy enough. 

[Milltown Row2]

With no skin in the game and not involved this weekend at all I'm looking forward to the games..

Both favourites will be happy and confident enough with their own game to win.

If the Johnnies had their pick they'd be happier with Loughgiel rather than Dunloy and Loughgiel must be bouncing it was the Johnnies rather than Cushendall, who have been able to get over the line when meeting loughgiel.

Best game for many a year was loughgiels game v Dunloy, some skill and determination by both teams given, as expected.. but loughgiel need to put in two big games in a row, which since their last county final win, haven't done..

For the johnnies, well, that monkey of not being in a final for so long  is gone, that generational of top players are coming to an older age and they may not get a better opportunity to get over the line than now..

Wouldn't be surprised of a shock but loughgiel have top players who can get in behind the best defenders and open up opportunities to score goals, the weather and venue can play a part also.. 

The intermediate game will be easy on paper based on lots of factors, top of the league, scores over the season, having been in the final recently also.
But Tir na Og have the fighting qualities that will make it tough for Glenariffe to showcase their talent, having beaten a fancied Creggan team last day out, they won't be thinking they have no chance but coming out looking to win, the weather will again play its part, but windy on Saturday so all to play for..

Hopefully catch it as I'm away this weekend

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Agree with you on all of that MR2.

Id say the johnnies were over the moon Dunloy were beaten and would of preferred to play Loughgiel. And similar Loughgiel would be much the happier playing the Johnnies.

On paper its Loughgiels to lose but St Johns have nothing to lose now they have that semi final burden off their back now. They showed they are capable of producing the goods when it was needed to beat a good Cushendall side.

Loughgiel have a good team and have a lot of desire in them as well to win this title. Their supporters will expect them to get over the line this weekend with this side.

With the intermediate final i fully expect Glenariffe to win this. I did think they would of won it last year but it came too early for their younger lads and also the red card killed them.

All the form and results suggests they will get the job done but that's also a recipe for Tir Na nOg to upset it all themselves.

Looking forward to both games.

[MalluskMan]

I read with surprise the fellow contributors have gone with ossians to win on Saturday. Randalstown fear nobody. We have the winning pedigree in the competition. We will have their number come the final whistle. It wasn't too many seasons ago we had 4 or 5 lads on the county minor panel, not many clubs can boast that. Our sideline far more clued in as well, match ups and strategies will be way ahead. You can bookmark that.

Loughgiel will win the senior. No bother.

[Saffrongael]

I read with surprise the fellow contributors have gone with ossians to win on Saturday. Randalstown fear nobody. We have the winning pedigree in the competition. We will have their number come the final whistle. It wasn't too many seasons ago we had 4 or 5 lads on the county minor panel, not many clubs can boast that. Our sideline far more clued in as well, match ups and strategies will be way ahead. You can bookmark that.

Loughgiel will win the senior. No bother.

Was that when there was a Randalstown man taking the minors ?

[NorthAntrimSaff]

I read with surprise the fellow contributors have gone with ossians to win on Saturday. Randalstown fear nobody. We have the winning pedigree in the competition. We will have their number come the final whistle. It wasn't too many seasons ago we had 4 or 5 lads on the county minor panel, not many clubs can boast that. Our sideline far more clued in as well, match ups and strategies will be way ahead. You can bookmark that.

Loughgiel will win the senior. No bother.

Was that when there was a Randalstown man taking the minors ?

Was that the same one took them for a feed of beer?

[paddyjohn]

I read with surprise the fellow contributors have gone with ossians to win on Saturday. Randalstown fear nobody. We have the winning pedigree in the competition. We will have their number come the final whistle. It wasn't too many seasons ago we had 4 or 5 lads on the county minor panel, not many clubs can boast that. Our sideline far more clued in as well, match ups and strategies will be way ahead. You can bookmark that.

Loughgiel will win the senior. No bother.

Was that when there was a Randalstown man taking the minors ?

Was that the same one took them for a feed of beer?

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