Antrim Hurling

[btdtgtt]

I think this year more than any other has shown that once the link between ulster and the all-Ireland had gone - so had the ulster championship!

Maybe if it was played prior to Leinster and only the winners entered that championship it could have status but other than that can we not just put it in the same box as the Connacht championship - or if that offends some counties then allow others to opt out.

I am also conscious of its affect on club fixtures.

Lets face it - not like ulster council will dive a damn no matter what happens!

[btdtgtt]

Brilliant stuff. Well done Marty, Jim & the lads.

HS will this provide a bit of a boost for the club in general and start to maybe look at facilities etc?

I know Lamh dearg have already done a bit of work - and both Rossa & St. John's have ambitious plans. St. John's are sorting out the finances and Rossa already have this in place.

Would like to see some much needed development at milltown?

[manballandall]

Mill town is in good hands. A great bunch of lads doing fantastic work with our under 8's to 14's and have been for a few years now. Watch this space

[johnneycool]

So the Ulster final can't be played because a load of players are going to Dublin to listen to that arse gravy. Very good.
In fairness, the Ulster Council have made a complete bollocks of this, not allowing for a possible semi-final replay. There was a two-week gap between QF and SF, yet one scheduled between the SF and final. Shows the esteem the Ulster SHC is held in really. Dunno why they persist with this annual farce

Put yourself in the players position, are you not entitled to a holiday even if it is to listen to 'arse gravy' in Dublin? The Down lads have had two draws to date either in the Christy Ring or Ulster championship, went the long way in the Christy Ring and had Armagh, then Derry to play twice, that's eight fixtures whilst Antrim had the sum total of 3 in roughly the same time frame.

Why wouldn't Gerard Monan want at least a weeks grace?

[optimus cheese]

So the Ulster final can't be played because a load of players are going to Dublin to listen to that arse gravy. Very good.
In fairness, the Ulster Council have made a complete bollocks of this, not allowing for a possible semi-final replay. There was a two-week gap between QF and SF, yet one scheduled between the SF and final. Shows the esteem the Ulster SHC is held in really. Dunno why they persist with this annual farce

Put yourself in the players position, are you not entitled to a holiday even if it is to listen to 'arse gravy' in Dublin? The Down lads have had two draws to date either in the Christy Ring or Ulster championship, went the long way in the Christy Ring and had Armagh, then Derry to play twice, that's eight fixtures whilst Antrim had the sum total of 3 in roughly the same time frame.

Why wouldn't Gerard Monan want at least a weeks grace?

I understand that but Dublin played five weeks in a row and didn't seem to do them any harm. It's the inter-county season ffs. What if the Ulster final was on Sunday last and drawn?

Anyway, the fault here is the Ulster Council. They have made a complete mess of this and it shows the contempt they hold hurling in. It won't be played the following week as football final is on.

[NAG1]

So the Ulster final can't be played because a load of players are going to Dublin to listen to that arse gravy. Very good.
In fairness, the Ulster Council have made a complete bollocks of this, not allowing for a possible semi-final replay. There was a two-week gap between QF and SF, yet one scheduled between the SF and final. Shows the esteem the Ulster SHC is held in really. Dunno why they persist with this annual farce

Put yourself in the players position, are you not entitled to a holiday even if it is to listen to 'arse gravy' in Dublin? The Down lads have had two draws to date either in the Christy Ring or Ulster championship, went the long way in the Christy Ring and had Armagh, then Derry to play twice, that's eight fixtures whilst Antrim had the sum total of 3 in roughly the same time frame.

Why wouldn't Gerard Monan want at least a weeks grace?

I understand that but Dublin played five weeks in a row and didn't seem to do them any harm. It's the inter-county season ffs. What if the Ulster final was on Sunday last and drawn?

Anyway, the fault here is the Ulster Council. They have made a complete mess of this and it shows the contempt they hold hurling in. It won't be played the following week as football final is on.

How about some Wednesday night in North Antrim? No one really cares, but at least would draw a big crowd and create a bit of atmosphere about the game. Yes the down lads might not be too keen, but would they rather play in front of a big crowd or even less now with the game being shifted if its played in any of the county grounds!

[johnneycool]

good idea, but lets play it in Ballycran instead.

[optimus cheese]

good idea, but lets play it in Ballycran instead.

Grand. Just ludicrous taking it to Celtic Park. At least Ballycran will have some form of a crowd and atmosphere

[NAG1]

good idea, but lets play it in Ballycran instead.

Grand. Just ludicrous taking it to Celtic Park. At least Ballycran will have some form of a crowd and atmosphere

Well either way, if Ballycran was actually flat and a proper pitch that wouldnt be a problem. 

The principal still stands, get it played and get the club stuff into full swing.

[johnneycool]

good idea, but lets play it in Ballycran instead.

Grand. Just ludicrous taking it to Celtic Park. At least Ballycran will have some form of a crowd and atmosphere

Well either way, if Ballycran was actually flat and a proper pitch that wouldnt be a problem. 

The principal still stands, get it played and get the club stuff into full swing.

Ballycran is as good and flat a surface as you'll get , just elevated at one end, a bit like Dunloys pitch, but Crans would be worse.

If there's only a dozen or so turning up at Antrim county training how big of an impact is it on club hurling?

[NAG1]

good idea, but lets play it in Ballycran instead.

Grand. Just ludicrous taking it to Celtic Park. At least Ballycran will have some form of a crowd and atmosphere

Well either way, if Ballycran was actually flat and a proper pitch that wouldnt be a problem. 

The principal still stands, get it played and get the club stuff into full swing.

Ballycran is as good and flat a surface as you'll get , just elevated at one end, a bit like Dunloys pitch, but Crans would be worse.

If there's only a dozen or so turning up at Antrim county training how big of an impact is it on club hurling?

Dunloy's second pitch? 

Not saying the training is having an impact but the match is going to kill another weekend for the clubs, so get it played and out of the way!

[CitySlicker11]

johnneycool, Dunloy's pitch is a lot better than Ballycran's!

[btdtgtt]

Mill town is in good hands. A great bunch of lads doing fantastic work with our under 8's to 14's and have been for a few years now. Watch this space

I mean more in terms of infrastructure - changing & playing/training facilities etc?

Glad to see everyone largely agreed at this stage club activity should have greater prominence than the farce of the ulster championship. Is the Celtic park thing part of city if culture or something?

[johnneycool]

johnneycool, Dunloy's pitch is a lot better than Ballycran's!

Ballycran is as good and flat a surface as you'll get , just elevated at one end, a bit like Dunloys pitch, but Crans would be worse.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

ok a best pitch you have played on debate following on from the last post! lol

for me either loughgiel or cushendall. good and tight and always great surfaces to play on with the crowd right on top of you.

least fav? portaferrys old pitch, never liked it. though their new pitch is brilliant!