Antrim Hurling

[Upandover]

Do I want to look at Fitzy and blame him? Yes but that's lazy

Fact is, the squad of players available at the moment aren't division 1 or Liam McCarthy quality - too many injuries/retirements

I think I said this before either last season or start of the year. There are better and physically more mature players more capable of having an impact on the pitch on days like today than some of the players.

That also isn't a shot or direct criticism of the young lads putting their hand up as I absolutely think we need to mould the u20's and have them exposed to intercounty demands so that by the time they're 23/24 they are the next crop really driving forward and being leaders.

I just feel the squad is extremely light (numbers/weight) and lacking experience, there are at least 7/8 players performing regularly for their clubs who would do better than some of what we currently have yet fitzy and co are relying on u20s to win us a championship game

Dont think there is many u20s starting at senior
Mcmanus was a huge loss, cunning out for the season also, big misses but it is the entire lack of game plan that worries me, we dont seem to have one.

Not being a funny cnut, who would you call up?

[BrendanAntrim]

Big disappointment today, we never looked like winning a 50/50 contest; each of our puck outs was a contested ball and theirs led straight to uncontested Dublin possession; our handling was just poor - uncontested passes being fumbled, catches being dropped. We were never on the same platform as Dublin today. Everything now most likely comes down to a winner takes us all away to Offaly - its not an optimistic prospect.

[saffman]

Absolutely huge losses, add in the loss of Clarkey and McCann

Alot of experience to lose in 1 year particularly in the forward line hence why I do question if any manager would get different results with what we currently have

Mckay, mclaughlin, mckeown u20,s all worthy to be in the squad and cracking young players but I do question if they're ready for the amount of minutes being given at this level

Add in players like s Walsh & mcambridge who aren't intercounty forwards and I don't see how a good result can be expected.

Losing kealan and Johnston was a massive blow today.

Players I'd consider (i do have doubts myself but more from the point performing at club level and more size) - focusing on forwards

Ballycastle - T Smyth
Rossa - E Trainor
Loughuile - S McGrath
St Johns- s. Shannon
St Endas - R Donaghy

Some im aware have had a crack at it before and may have opted not to be considered this year but just a small bunch i believe could offer more than some current players or at the very least, offer more from the bench / squad depth perspective

[Gael-in-exile]

The players who retired and injured are certainly a big enough loss however of the 3 named only Cunning was a regular starter in the last year.
Unfortunately it seems the commentary of Davy's time in other counties has followed to Antrim, namely questions on tactics.
I also wonder are any of the players improving? I'm not sure I could see from TV games players who have gotten better this year under the coaching.
And finally if you talk about players lacking confidence and struggling for belief when they go behind in games it will eventually seep in. That seems to be the case.

[Upandover]

The players who retired and injured are certainly a big enough loss however of the 3 named only Cunning was a regular starter in the last year.
Unfortunately it seems the commentary of Davy's time in other counties has followed to Antrim, namely questions on tactics.
I also wonder are any of the players improving? I'm not sure I could see from TV games players who have gotten better this year under the coaching.
And finally if you talk about players lacking confidence and struggling for belief when they go behind in games it will eventually seep in. That seems to be the case.

Some players seem a little trimmer, i think james mcnaughton has improved, but other than that not really and again as i said its the total lack of game plan.

Watching us there is so many times these other teams win uncontested ball, we concede very simple scores yet at times we seem to overcomplicate things, turn into trouble and generally struggle with the basics.

Its all going to come down to the offaly game and the way were playing combined with how we travel im not optimistic at all.

[Gael-in-exile]

The players who retired and injured are certainly a big enough loss however of the 3 named only Cunning was a regular starter in the last year.
Unfortunately it seems the commentary of Davy's time in other counties has followed to Antrim, namely questions on tactics.
I also wonder are any of the players improving? I'm not sure I could see from TV games players who have gotten better this year under the coaching.
And finally if you talk about players lacking confidence and struggling for belief when they go behind in games it will eventually seep in. That seems to be the case.

Some players seem a little trimmer, i think james mcnaughton has improved, but other than that not really and again as i said its the total lack of game plan.

Watching us there is so many times these other teams win uncontested ball, we concede very simple scores yet at times we seem to overcomplicate things, turn into trouble and generally struggle with the basics.

Its all going to come down to the offaly game and the way were playing combined with how we travel im not optimistic at all.

Haven't noticed the fitness or athleticism and although James may look trimmer I would hope it's improved his speed and strength.
I was thinking of the players actual hurling ability improving. Just because you're a county player shouldn't stop you improving as a player. Paddy Burke for me a good example of someone who was a good hurler when he joined the panel 6 or so years ago and he improved year on year. Significantly so about 3/4 years ago he went from good to outstanding in most games.

His club mate Joe McL would be an example I look at as a gifted hurler who has so much potential to improve. But I don't see it happening as it stands. Along with the tactics and psychology seeming to backfire that is a worry.

[Gael-in-exile]

On another note does anyone know why some weeks P Burke is captain and N Elliott on other days?

[Hectic]

Rock, paper, scissors.

[JonnyD_]

Hopefully we'll see a few of those injured lads back on their feet for the weekend.

Galway away is daunting enough without some scoring forwards/ boys who can win ball!
We just didn't have them on Saturday. Too late for bringing any of those players (above) into the panel at this stage and to be fair they'd probably tell Davy to do one.

[Saffrongael]

Hopefully we'll see a few of those injured lads back on their feet for the weekend.

Galway away is daunting enough without some scoring forwards/ boys who can win ball!
We just didn't have them on Saturday. Too late for bringing any of those players (above) into the panel at this stage and to be fair they'd probably tell Davy to do one.

I think we will maybe see more of an "experimental" team for Galway and anyone with knocks not risked & saved for Offaly

[JonnyD_]

that would be a shame... in championship you want to put your best foot forward every game. thats what they've been training for. anyone getting time on the pitch, especially the younger ones will benefit and have that banked for the offaly game.

Hopefully we'll see a few of those injured lads back on their feet for the weekend.

Galway away is daunting enough without some scoring forwards/ boys who can win ball!
We just didn't have them on Saturday. Too late for bringing any of those players (above) into the panel at this stage and to be fair they'd probably tell Davy to do one.

I think we will maybe see more of an "experimental" team for Galway and anyone with knocks not risked & saved for Offaly

[paddyjohn]

See my post from last weekend. Rinse and repeat.

[marty34]

Antrim missed 5 o 6 relatively easy chances in the first 10 mins.

Sucked the life out of them.

[Tony Baloney]

13-106 against in 4 matches. Are we allowed to question Project Davy yet? The good news is that his golf handicap seems to have improved since he took over.

[Upandover]

Money would of been better spent on grassroots imo.

I know ive harped on about it, but south antrim needs seriously looked at, my young lads are u12, its nearly june and theyve played one hurling game due to other teams not fielding, what is the point?

Eldest is now veering towards boxing.