Antrim Hurling

[NAG1]

Davy Fitz and Anthony Nash to take over the senior hurlers for the upcoming season? Has anyone else heard this? Would be a great appointment.

Heard that, think it be great news tbh, all Ireland winning manager exactly the kind of person we should be aiming to bring in to push on

Be interesting to see how this plays out, you would think no matter who is coming in they would like to have a proper look at the club championship games.

[NorthAntrim]

The Davy Fitz/Tony Shivers link could get this over the line. Will depend on player commitment youd think. The same cant happen next year where were 4 or 5 sitting the league out

[NorthAntrim]

On Club championship everything probably went as expected at the weekend. Sarsfields showing their true form and putting the league behind them.

[Saffrongael]

Davy said the reason he finished with Waterford was the travelling from Clare to Waterford 🤔

[Slemishgael]

Could an appointment such as Fitz bring Antrim Senior hurlers on more again and close the gap at senior level? You'd imagine he wouldn't entertain the role unless he knew he could get absolutely everyone on board and fully committed.

Would be great to get more lads go forward to the county set up and commit in the future (from a broad range of clubs). A large panel pushing everyone on and completely committed. The talent is there within county I feel... Was reading that armagh footballers had a panel of 42-44 players, all putting their shoulder to the wheel. Would Antrim hurlers have anywhere near those numbers on the extended panel?

[NorthAntrim]

Fully fit looking at the end of year matchday squad v carlow weve probably 35 including the u20s who featured on the panel for the majority of the league

[NAG1]

Fully fit looking at the end of year matchday squad v carlow weve probably 35 including the u20s who featured on the panel for the majority of the league

And of that 35 how many do you think would be truly of inter county standard? If we are to bridge the gap?

[NorthAntrim]

Fully fit looking at the end of year matchday squad v carlow weve probably 35 including the u20s who featured on the panel for the majority of the league

And of that 35 how many do you think would be truly of inter county standard? If we are to bridge the gap?

Im talking numbers alone from last year. Honestly and unfortunatly Id say we have about 10

[NAG1]

Fully fit looking at the end of year matchday squad v carlow weve probably 35 including the u20s who featured on the panel for the majority of the league

And of that 35 how many do you think would be truly of inter county standard? If we are to bridge the gap?

Im talking numbers alone from last year. Honestly and unfortunatly Id say we have about 10

No I know you were, we are where we are.

I would agree with you there on that assessment which kind of tells us the amount of work any manager would have ahead of them.

[NorthAntrim]

The problem with last year was probably not having those ten on the pitch consistently. Id have Seann, Keelan and Ryan in that ten. People will say they needed a break. Maybe afforded in larger counties likes of TJ Reid when Ballyhale were going well coming back in late. Antrim cant afford to be without these lads. James and Gerard also in that ten missed large parts of the league through injury which is part of the game

[imtommygunn]

we were probably missing close to 10 for a lot of the league. It may have actually done some of the younger boys some good getting some gametime. Anyone coming in wouldn't have the required physicality really - I think it takes nearly a couple of years of that work to get up to the pitch of conditioning etc.

[Slemishgael]

What way does Antrim hurlers work in terms of their panel - is it an open door policy were if club players feel they can contribute they go along and train as part of the panel? are trials held? or is it an element of both... I suppose players that have a high skill level and have a good fitness level have to start somewhere if they want to be intercounty hurlers... no better place to learn the craft than being part of the wider panel I'd assume. Plus would make in house games and training better for everyone. I get the feeling there are a lot of good senior club players in Antrim if given the right encouragement could add something to the senior set up and drive the thing on. 

[NorthAntrim]

If they are good club players they will stand out in league and championship and will be invited to a county panel on the basis of that. Not sure you can rock up to train with a helmet and hurl

[NAG1]

Very competitive u21 final last night.

[Saffrongael]

Very competitive u21 final last night.

Yeah it always looked like two well matched teams