Antrim Hurling

[old timers]

I think the management team might have been made aware prior to the first game, but perhaps decided to go ahead anyway.  Maybe go caught up in the possibility of "bright lights of success" and the chance to win. 

The whole concept behind the Celtic Challenge is to give all players - particularly on the fringes of minor squads the opportunity to compete at inter county level.  With the 2 year gap between the then U16 and U18 (minor) competitions a significant amount of players were getting lost.  However, with minor now at U17 this has changed the situation.

I was giving the lad the benefit of the doubt, but you could be right as some of the coaches involved would have know right enough. Whether that feel on deaf ears is another story.
I don't know the lad in question personally.

When Down played Antrim in the Celtic Challenge at Easter time they played most, if not all, of their U17 panel.  It was mentioned previously that they are a County that was not supposed to be doing that.  I would say that the Antrim team got more out of the match playing against a side that were physically stronger and older than them. Lessons gained, hopefully. I just cant understand Down's reasoning behind this.  Whilst they topped their league its not really a true reflection.

[johnnycool]

I think the management team might have been made aware prior to the first game, but perhaps decided to go ahead anyway.  Maybe go caught up in the possibility of "bright lights of success" and the chance to win. 

The whole concept behind the Celtic Challenge is to give all players - particularly on the fringes of minor squads the opportunity to compete at inter county level.  With the 2 year gap between the then U16 and U18 (minor) competitions a significant amount of players were getting lost.  However, with minor now at U17 this has changed the situation.

I was giving the lad the benefit of the doubt, but you could be right as some of the coaches involved would have know right enough. Whether that feel on deaf ears is another story.
I don't know the lad in question personally.

When Down played Antrim in the Celtic Challenge at Easter time they played most, if not all, of their U17 panel.  It was mentioned previously that they are a County that was not supposed to be doing that.  I would say that the Antrim team got more out of the match playing against a side that were physically stronger and older than them. Lessons gained, hopefully. I just cant understand Down's reasoning behind this.  Whilst they topped their league its not really a true reflection.

I'd agree with that and hence I smelled a rat.

TBH I don't think Down would have enough hurlers to put out an U17 team and an U16 team on the same day and if they did it would be a very young U16 team and will get walloped right left and centre down in Abbotstown especially if using the gradings to date!

I don't think reasoning comes into it with some lads and my little bit of research on the management for the current U17's suggests as much!

Down Coaching and Development are very quiet on this one.

[ciaran1988]

Boylesports have betting up for the club championship

Cushendall   11/8
Loughgiel     6/4
Dunloy.        9/2
Ballycastle   13/2
Rossa          25/1
Sarsfield.     33/1
St Johns      50/1

Surprised to see Dunloy at such a big price and Ballycastle are definitely too short

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

would agree with them odds, were not the favs at all

[Pjoe]

I'd take a punt on Rossa ahead of Ballycastle.  They could be the dark horse this year.

[Sweeper 123]

/The Johnnies at 50's - i thought they gave Dunloy as good a game as any team in the championship last year ; But Dunloy are a great price

[NAG1]

Are this weekends fixtures the last then until the county season is over?

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Theres no hurling fixtures now until weds 23rd of May

[NAG1]

Theres no hurling fixtures now until weds 23rd of May

I thought there was one more round before the break, bit of a joke for the clubs.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Theres no hurling fixtures now until weds 23rd of May

I thought there was one more round before the break, bit of a joke for the clubs.

I know a lot of the clubs have sorted out some of the fixtures themselves to get games organised without county players. Ourselves and Lgiel have arranged to play each other in June time and i know the Down clubs are keen to play as well.

[ciaran1988]

Anyone else here think we have a great chance of winning the Joe McDonagh cup. We played at higher level in the league bar all the sides bar Laois who we really should have beaten in the relegation play off. We have 3 home games versus Carlow Laois and Kerry and with players back from injury like Ciaran Clarke who weren't able to take part in much league action. I believe we can do it

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Anyone else here think we have a great chance of winning the Joe McDonagh cup. We played at higher level in the league bar all the sides bar Laois who we really should have beaten in the relegation play off. We have 3 home games versus Carlow Laois and Kerry and with players back from injury like Ciaran Clarke who weren't able to take part in much league action. I believe we can do it

they are all tough games and im sure each of the sides we are playing are all thinking they can beat everyone else. Its that well balanced that any of the sides could take it.

Away to meath to start is a tough opener but as you say we have 3 good home games and those are the games that we need to be winning.

Clarky is still injured as far as i was told last night, well that he wasnt training, but he will be a great asset to the panel as hes a quality hurler.

[imtommygunn]

Anyone else here think we have a great chance of winning the Joe McDonagh cup. We played at higher level in the league bar all the sides bar Laois who we really should have beaten in the relegation play off. We have 3 home games versus Carlow Laois and Kerry and with players back from injury like Ciaran Clarke who weren't able to take part in much league action. I believe we can do it

We have a chance of winning all the games but also a chance of losing all the games!

[old timers]

 The talk from our boys down here is a few well establish players walked away from the Antrim panel for various reasons and Clarke's name was mentioned.  Don't know if there's any truth in it but worrying all the same.

[ciaran1988]

Arron Graffin definitely not be playing as he is in the states