Antrim Hurling

[Milltown Row2]

whats the views on the down game?

i think its a game we should win, physically we should not be dominated. not to take away from some of the individuals on the Down team but you have to expect Antrim to win this battle physically and tactically?

You'd have to go back to early 90's to when Down matched Antrim physically and tactically, we'd need a lot to go wrong to lose this game

Gotta love you guys, where have Antrim pulled all these men mountains from in recent weeks?

Down aren't big, but they're not small either and showed glimpses of what they can do in the second half against Kildare.

Antrim will be favourites but if the bookies are offering a spread of 7 points, get your money on Down.

I'd say 7 points is a good shout, depends how Fitzy approaches the game with the team line outs

Both teams will be well up for it so there's that, being in Newry is better than Ballycran from an Antrim's perspective

[JonnyD_]

men mountains we wish... what i meant was physically we'd be better shape than Down across the pitch

[johnnycool]

whats the views on the down game?

i think its a game we should win, physically we should not be dominated. not to take away from some of the individuals on the Down team but you have to expect Antrim to win this battle physically and tactically?

You'd have to go back to early 90's to when Down matched Antrim physically and tactically, we'd need a lot to go wrong to lose this game

Gotta love you guys, where have Antrim pulled all these men mountains from in recent weeks?

Down aren't big, but they're not small either and showed glimpses of what they can do in the second half against Kildare.

Antrim will be favourites but if the bookies are offering a spread of 7 points, get your money on Down.

I'd say 7 points is a good shout, depends how Fitzy approaches the game with the team line outs

Both teams will be well up for it so there's that, being in Newry is better than Ballycran from an Antrim's perspective

Newry pitch isn't a whole pile bigger than Ballycran, if at all, so there will be a lack of space.

I'd be concerned for Down if they do allow Antrim to pull their half backs too far out the field and leave a huge space behind them. They didn't do that against Kildare and will need to show the same discipline again.

They were decent in the second half at taking long range points, they'll need to even better against Antrim at it especially if wee Davy parks the bus which for me would be a poor statement of intent or indeed level of confidence in his team to do that against Down.

[imtommygunn]

I really hope he doesn't park the bus. Need to win this game - parking bus would quite frankly be pathetic.

[knowbetter]

As a down man I cant see us getting over the line with this match.

We have a decent team with everyone fit but have yet to put out the full squad this year. Quite a few players coming back from injuries but just not there yet.

Antrim have everything to play for to avoid regulation and essentially its too late for us, I doubt management will risk it and think they will put all focus on the joe McDonagh.

I hope I'm wrong but think this could be a bit of a dead rubber game.

[johnnycool]

As a down man I cant see us getting over the line with this match.

We have a decent team with everyone fit but have yet to put out the full squad this year. Quite a few players coming back from injuries but just not there yet.

Antrim have everything to play for to avoid regulation and essentially its too late for us, I doubt management will risk it and think they will put all focus on the joe McDonagh.

I hope I'm wrong but think this could be a bit of a dead rubber game.

As a Down man whose played in the Antrim leagues since I was 16, fortunate enough to have been on Down teams who beat Antrim in underage championships and indeed been on panels at senior who beat them in championship this game should never be a dead rubber but times have moved on and Antrim have a big psychological advantage over this crop and for me they need to leave down a marker that they aren't a push over come later in the year.
I'm not convinced this Down team have that particular hardness about them.

Interestingly enough I can't remember Down beating Antrim in a league game, even in the Sean McGuinness era, although I can only remember the one game up in Casement on a shitty wet day where Mushy was the difference from right half back.

 

[Antrim Coaster]

As a down man I cant see us getting over the line with this match.

We have a decent team with everyone fit but have yet to put out the full squad this year. Quite a few players coming back from injuries but just not there yet.

Antrim have everything to play for to avoid regulation and essentially its too late for us, I doubt management will risk it and think they will put all focus on the joe McDonagh.

I hope I'm wrong but think this could be a bit of a dead rubber game.

As a Down man whose played in the Antrim leagues since I was 16, fortunate enough to have been on Down teams who beat Antrim in underage championships and indeed been on panels at senior who beat them in championship this game should never be a dead rubber but times have moved on and Antrim have a big psychological advantage over this crop and for me they need to leave down a marker that they aren't a push over come later in the year.
I'm not convinced this Down team have that particular hardness about them.

Interestingly enough I can't remember Down beating Antrim in a league game, even in the Sean McGuinness era, although I can only remember the one game up in Casement on a shitty wet day where Mushy was the difference from right half back.

 

Was that the first league match after Down had ambushed Antrim in the Ulster Final in 1992

It was the commentary match on RTE Sport and a crowd between 12,000 - 15,000 attended.

Played on a pishy oul day in Casement the final score was something like 2-12 each.

That Down team was full of tough men well able to hurl. I think The Crans won Ulster that year as well.

Relegated Kilkenny in the last match of the season when The Hunter pinged over a free off his left to seal a one point victory for Down who stayed up and Kilkenny dropped to Div 2.

[Antrim Coaster]

As a down man I cant see us getting over the line with this match.

We have a decent team with everyone fit but have yet to put out the full squad this year. Quite a few players coming back from injuries but just not there yet.

Antrim have everything to play for to avoid regulation and essentially its too late for us, I doubt management will risk it and think they will put all focus on the joe McDonagh.

I hope I'm wrong but think this could be a bit of a dead rubber game.

As a Down man whose played in the Antrim leagues since I was 16, fortunate enough to have been on Down teams who beat Antrim in underage championships and indeed been on panels at senior who beat them in championship this game should never be a dead rubber but times have moved on and Antrim have a big psychological advantage over this crop and for me they need to leave down a marker that they aren't a push over come later in the year.
I'm not convinced this Down team have that particular hardness about them.

Interestingly enough I can't remember Down beating Antrim in a league game, even in the Sean McGuinness era, although I can only remember the one game up in Casement on a shitty wet day where Mushy was the difference from right half back.

 

Some big cubs on that Down U20 team.

The Coleman lad from the Ports the around midfield and half forward is a tall skillful player, the lad from your own club, Pucci, is 6 ft plus and the Taggart lad playing at full back, although not 6ft is well capable of mixing it up.

A tough tidy hurler.

I think those 3 lads have played for the county seniors.

[johnnycool]

As a down man I cant see us getting over the line with this match.

We have a decent team with everyone fit but have yet to put out the full squad this year. Quite a few players coming back from injuries but just not there yet.

Antrim have everything to play for to avoid regulation and essentially its too late for us, I doubt management will risk it and think they will put all focus on the joe McDonagh.

I hope I'm wrong but think this could be a bit of a dead rubber game.

As a Down man whose played in the Antrim leagues since I was 16, fortunate enough to have been on Down teams who beat Antrim in underage championships and indeed been on panels at senior who beat them in championship this game should never be a dead rubber but times have moved on and Antrim have a big psychological advantage over this crop and for me they need to leave down a marker that they aren't a push over come later in the year.
I'm not convinced this Down team have that particular hardness about them.

Interestingly enough I can't remember Down beating Antrim in a league game, even in the Sean McGuinness era, although I can only remember the one game up in Casement on a shitty wet day where Mushy was the difference from right half back.

 

Some big cubs on that Down U20 team.

The Coleman lad from the Ports the around midfield and half forward is a tall skillful player, the lad from your own club, Pucci, is 6 ft plus and the Taggart lad playing at full back, although not 6ft is well capable of mixing it up.

A tough tidy hurler.

I think those 3 lads have played for the county seniors.

They may well mix it up at their own level, but intercounty senior hurling is a different ball game.

For me hardness is as much mental as physical in terms of the resolve to dig in, do the hard yards, chase lads down, sail into tackles etc that would have me worried from a Down perspective.

The days of hammering and smashing with hurls flying everywhere are gone (sadly    ).

[Antrim Coaster]

As a down man I cant see us getting over the line with this match.

We have a decent team with everyone fit but have yet to put out the full squad this year. Quite a few players coming back from injuries but just not there yet.

Antrim have everything to play for to avoid regulation and essentially its too late for us, I doubt management will risk it and think they will put all focus on the joe McDonagh.

I hope I'm wrong but think this could be a bit of a dead rubber game.

As a Down man whose played in the Antrim leagues since I was 16, fortunate enough to have been on Down teams who beat Antrim in underage championships and indeed been on panels at senior who beat them in championship this game should never be a dead rubber but times have moved on and Antrim have a big psychological advantage over this crop and for me they need to leave down a marker that they aren't a push over come later in the year.
I'm not convinced this Down team have that particular hardness about them.

Interestingly enough I can't remember Down beating Antrim in a league game, even in the Sean McGuinness era, although I can only remember the one game up in Casement on a shitty wet day where Mushy was the difference from right half back.

 

Some big cubs on that Down U20 team.

The Coleman lad from the Ports the around midfield and half forward is a tall skillful player, the lad from your own club, Pucci, is 6 ft plus and the Taggart lad playing at full back, although not 6ft is well capable of mixing it up.

A tough tidy hurler.

I think those 3 lads have played for the county seniors.

They may well mix it up at their own level, but intercounty senior hurling is a different ball game.

For me hardness is as much mental as physical in terms of the resolve to dig in, do the hard yards, chase lads down, sail into tackles etc that would have me worried from a Down perspective.

The days of hammering and smashing with hurls flying everywhere are gone (sadly    ).

100%.

At the same time you cant keep lads wrapped in cotton wool.

A few of the U20 team would need a run in the seniors to toughen them up. All part of the development process for  player and the county seniors.

The Ben Taggart lad does appear to have a bit of steel about him from what Ive seen of him recently. I think he'll do well for the Ports and the county senior team.

[johnnycool]

As a down man I cant see us getting over the line with this match.

We have a decent team with everyone fit but have yet to put out the full squad this year. Quite a few players coming back from injuries but just not there yet.

Antrim have everything to play for to avoid regulation and essentially its too late for us, I doubt management will risk it and think they will put all focus on the joe McDonagh.

I hope I'm wrong but think this could be a bit of a dead rubber game.

As a Down man whose played in the Antrim leagues since I was 16, fortunate enough to have been on Down teams who beat Antrim in underage championships and indeed been on panels at senior who beat them in championship this game should never be a dead rubber but times have moved on and Antrim have a big psychological advantage over this crop and for me they need to leave down a marker that they aren't a push over come later in the year.
I'm not convinced this Down team have that particular hardness about them.

Interestingly enough I can't remember Down beating Antrim in a league game, even in the Sean McGuinness era, although I can only remember the one game up in Casement on a shitty wet day where Mushy was the difference from right half back.

 

Some big cubs on that Down U20 team.

The Coleman lad from the Ports the around midfield and half forward is a tall skillful player, the lad from your own club, Pucci, is 6 ft plus and the Taggart lad playing at full back, although not 6ft is well capable of mixing it up.

A tough tidy hurler.

I think those 3 lads have played for the county seniors.

They may well mix it up at their own level, but intercounty senior hurling is a different ball game.

For me hardness is as much mental as physical in terms of the resolve to dig in, do the hard yards, chase lads down, sail into tackles etc that would have me worried from a Down perspective.

The days of hammering and smashing with hurls flying everywhere are gone (sadly    ).

100%.

At the same time you cant keep lads wrapped in cotton wool.

A few of the U20 team would need a run in the seniors to toughen them up. All part of the development process for  player and the county seniors.

The Ben Taggart lad does appear to have a bit of steel about him from what Ive seen of him recently. I think he'll do well for the Ports and the county senior team.

I sincerely hope not, he's a Ballygalget man.

[imtommygunn]

Be worse than Mo Johnston going to Rangers.

[Antrim Coaster]

As a down man I cant see us getting over the line with this match.

We have a decent team with everyone fit but have yet to put out the full squad this year. Quite a few players coming back from injuries but just not there yet.

Antrim have everything to play for to avoid regulation and essentially its too late for us, I doubt management will risk it and think they will put all focus on the joe McDonagh.

I hope I'm wrong but think this could be a bit of a dead rubber game.

As a Down man whose played in the Antrim leagues since I was 16, fortunate enough to have been on Down teams who beat Antrim in underage championships and indeed been on panels at senior who beat them in championship this game should never be a dead rubber but times have moved on and Antrim have a big psychological advantage over this crop and for me they need to leave down a marker that they aren't a push over come later in the year.
I'm not convinced this Down team have that particular hardness about them.

Interestingly enough I can't remember Down beating Antrim in a league game, even in the Sean McGuinness era, although I can only remember the one game up in Casement on a shitty wet day where Mushy was the difference from right half back.

 

Some big cubs on that Down U20 team.

The Coleman lad from the Ports the around midfield and half forward is a tall skillful player, the lad from your own club, Pucci, is 6 ft plus and the Taggart lad playing at full back, although not 6ft is well capable of mixing it up.

A tough tidy hurler.

I think those 3 lads have played for the county seniors.

They may well mix it up at their own level, but intercounty senior hurling is a different ball game.

For me hardness is as much mental as physical in terms of the resolve to dig in, do the hard yards, chase lads down, sail into tackles etc that would have me worried from a Down perspective.

The days of hammering and smashing with hurls flying everywhere are gone (sadly    ).

100%.

At the same time you cant keep lads wrapped in cotton wool.

A few of the U20 team would need a run in the seniors to toughen them up. All part of the development process for  player and the county seniors.

The Ben Taggart lad does appear to have a bit of steel about him from what Ive seen of him recently. I think he'll do well for the Ports and the county senior team.

I sincerely hope not, he's a Ballygalget man.

DOH           

Thought he might have took a wrong turn on the Tullymally       

Then again the odd Port resident has donned the green jersey in the past     

[Antrim Coaster]

Be worse than Mo Johnston going to Rangers.

Much worse.     

[johnnycool]

Be worse than Mo Johnston going to Rangers.

We had one of those back in the 90's as well, he ended up marking his brother in a championship game.

A few years later he transferred back again to us after falling out with the Ports after they got beat by Loughgiel in the Ulster final which was played down in Portaferry.

His son also played for us and then transferred to Portaferry after minor.

It does happen.