Antrim Hurling

[Minder]

as far as i was aware, it was discussed months ago that the lads would be available. the club managers discussed it with county managers and thought every game for antrim was must win and would try to help them as much as possible. this was in november i think

I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago on here that some of the players were not happy with training and they were interested in playing, and was told it wouldnt happen. Would Cushendall players not be more concerned with preparations for an All Ireland Semi, and a decent chance of progressing, than a Division 2 NHL game? I cant imagine the Cushendall management, or the management of any club, having any interest in the fortunes of the county team when they have such a big game coming up.

[NAG]

Minder I find it seriously strange that they were available for that game.

I cant understand their thinking playing in a match like that before one of the biggest games in their clubs history, didnt see any of the DLS men lining out but maybe im wrong.

What is your thinking on it?

[Minder]

Minder I find it seriously strange that they were available for that game.

I cant understand their thinking playing in a match like that before one of the biggest games in their clubs history, didnt see any of the DLS men lining out but maybe im wrong.

What is your thinking on it?

I said a couple of weeka ago that someone directly involved with the team said the players were not happy with the training and wanted to play in the first NHL game. I was told this was nonsense on here but wasnt too surprised when i saw Sambo saying they wanted to play. The fella that said this has no reason to make it up and it isnt "bar room gossip".

[NAG]

Minder

Who is doing the training for cushendall then? Have the specialised coaches in for physical and hurling drills?

[Minder]

Minder

Who is doing the training for cushendall then? Have the specialised coaches in for physical and hurling drills?

I believe Micky Culbert is doing the physical training with them, and i dont believe for a minute that it was agreed before Xmas for the Cushendall players to come on board. If it was "agreed" why did Sambo not want them to play then on Sunday? Rightly stating that he couldnt drop fellas that have been training since before Xmas.

[Two Hands FFS]

It was agreed before Xmas that the Cushendall players would play against Westmeath. Then I heard there was a turn around that the players werent allowed to play against Westmeath. Sure the Cushendall players werent allowed to play for the Poly or Queens in the Ryan Cup match last week.

[milltown row]

Cushendall will do the business. strongly fancy them.

i'd say the nerves would be setting in the closer it gets.

wind that eejit Mullane up.
if he did a lot of their scoring then i'm afraid i'd have a few different markers on him. letting the timber go on him. semi finals are there to be won.

[Minder]

Cushendall will do the business. strongly fancy them.

i'd say the nerves would be setting in the closer it gets.

wind that eejit Mullane up.
if he did a lot of their scoring then i'm afraid i'd have a few different markers on him. letting the timber go on him. semi finals are there to be won.

Where do you think they will get the scores from Milltown?

[JamesH]

The Cushendall county players and studants were told 3 weeks ago now that they wouldn't be playing and had no problem as they knew why and could see the reasons behind it. I don't know why Sambo said they were not using the players as he was also told they weren't available and wasn't pleased. Cushendall beat Westmeath by 5 and were missing 4 players so surely the county could beat them.

[milltown row]

they will get scores Minder. who from? well Shane, Monty AD and a lot from frees. their defence is pretty strong. it should be low scoring. if McManus is playing in the forwards then i think he will also come up with scores.

[johnneycool]

Cushendall will do the business. strongly fancy them.

i'd say the nerves would be setting in the closer it gets.

wind that eejit Mullane up.
if he did a lot of their scoring then i'm afraid i'd have a few different markers on him. letting the timber go on him. semi finals are there to be won.

Where do you think they will get the scores from Milltown?

i have to say minder that'd be my concern for them. They seem happy to sit deep in front of the defence and let Shane in particular use the extra space to get scores. I haven't seen AD or Monty put too much on the scoreboard from open play in a while.
Don't be expecting too many soft frees from a southern ref in parnell park.
Both Dungiven and Ballygalget had opportunities to win their respective games in Ulster, Dungiven hadn't the firepower to avail of the possession and Ballygalget started the wrong defender on Shane allowing the sizeable lead to materialise and had Cushendall pinned back for a large part of the game. The Cushendall defence won both of those games for them IMO. I can't see DLS being so giving but you never know.
If Cushendall are chasing the game they'll need to let Mcmanus or Sean Delargy rove much further forward than normal, something they should do as i think their defence is good enough to mark man to man, maybe conceeding a bit more than normal but a lot more potent up front.
I cna still see them sneak it by a point if they keep their heads

[imtommygunn]

Sean Delargy has pretty much been HF for them since the county semi so I'd expect to see him in the forward line.

I'd share the same concerns - their defense is brilliant and to be honest there's probably not many better club defenses out there but Shane and AD aside their forwards have struggled. They usually play with Monty, OS, Graffin, Natty McNaughton, McManus and Elliot in defense despite what their numbers suggest.

I thought they were slack in both ulster games and should have put those teams away a lot earlier. They appear to sit on leads and it creeps up on them because both teams should have been firmly put away. While Ballygalget were close cushendall always had enough to beat them.

It'll be interesting to see who marks Mullane - I suspect Graffin. Not sure what these boys defenders are like but if they've Brian Phelan and they stuck him on Shane not sure how well he'd do. Against tight strong markers I think he struggles but maybe he's developed that side of his game.

Would love to see Cushendall win - think they could in a tight game too.

[milltown row]

Phelan wont be playing corner back, watched DLS in both games and not overly impressed. any team that wins Munster has to be respected but i felt the Limerick team let themselves down and Foley and co should have won the match.

against Loughrea the Dall were unfortunate with injuries and some inexperience players on board. but they should be better for it. think DLS will think they just have to turn up. that may be an advantage

[wbgaa1885]

'The Dall' will fall, sorry to say.  Believe me , I know these things! In my humble opinion, if they cant win the game with their forwards, they certainly will not, by playing a defenive game.  Play from the front and all that.  It's hard to win a game playing defensively, you forget how to and the need to score, very easily.

If they cant win friom the front, they will not win at all! (by the way, that will be unfortunate, I would love to see them win because I for one have no axe to grind!) I dont think Culbert will have them equipped with the strength and pace either.

[wbgaa1885]

Hi JohnnyCool, a chara.

Before the Queenie fella gets offended, I think you should change your 'avatar' he may take offence at it and give ya a lecture. Ya know, the war is over now, we are all gods children and all that.  The Johnnies, Rossa, Ra, Provos, INLA, Sticks, IRSPs, Shinners, St. Galls and Lamh Dhearg, sure we are all mates know dont ya know!
 
God bless you my son!