Antrim Football Thread

[Hectic]

How can it be taken back to this 'task force'? They are gone as far as I know, they came to sort their own clubs out with little consideration for any others, and fecked off.

They aren't the first committee to do that though - some members of the county board pulled manys a move like that down the years.

Yeah sorry I didn't mean literally but rather their regulations, as written, is what sees Dunloy top 16.  And nothing to do with any further horse trading.

What clubs do you think benefited most from what the task force came up with then?

Does Divison 1 work for Dunloy if they are going to play their league team?

Did Aldergrove and Ballymena getting a free promotion help them?

Are St Paul's ready for senior this year if one assumes they possibly would not have been promoted if Ballymena, Aldergrove and whoever was supposed to be relegated ahead of last season had been in Division 2 and Intermediate Championship.

Is our county team benefiting from more players making themselves available as less jeopardy at club level?

Does it all need more time?

[Take the Mark]

A youthful St Pauls team are probably better equipped for a real division 1 than several of those teams who are currently in this 16 team compost heap.

Its 8 teams too heavy and we have teams there who wouldn't beat top half intermediate teams in any other county in ulster.

The IFC this year has become the JFC, the JFC in Antrim is now Junior B. Also - the SFC needs to scrap the groups, a tiresome start to the competition that has become.

Does it all need time? Take all the time you want. If clubs aren't working to get better from the roots there is little point. I'm not sure very many have changed recently.

[inabsentia]

A youthful St Pauls team are probably better equipped for a real division 1 than several of those teams who are currently in this 16 team compost heap.

Its 8 teams too heavy and we have teams there who wouldn't beat top half intermediate teams in any other county in ulster.

The IFC this year has become the JFC, the JFC in Antrim is now Junior B. Also - the SFC needs to scrap the groups, a tiresome start to the competition that has become.

Does it all need time? Take all the time you want. If clubs aren't working to get better from the roots there is little point. I'm not sure very many have changed recently.

There's 34 clubs across 3 divisions at present.

I'd say a 11 teams in div 1/2 and 12 in div 3 it'll probably line up better with teams levels.

So div 1 (based on this year) would be:

Cargin, Brigids, Ballymena, Randalstown, St Galls, Creggan, PG1, Rossa, Aghagallon, Ahoghill, LD

Div 2:

Ednas, Johnnies, Glenravel, Aldergrove, Moneyglass, St Pauls, St Teresas, Glenavy, Lisburn, Davitts, Dunloy

Div 3:

Sarsfields, Rasharkin, Gort, Ardoyne, Comgalls, Laochra Lao, Na Piarsaigh, O'Ds, Aggies, Malachys, Eire Og, WolfeTones

Give it a year or two to settle in, as there's definitely teams there that looked at the league and thought, "All I have to do is win a playoff" and didn't bother like Johnnies

[BigGreenField]

A youthful St Pauls team are probably better equipped for a real division 1 than several of those teams who are currently in this 16 team compost heap.

Its 8 teams too heavy and we have teams there who wouldn't beat top half intermediate teams in any other county in ulster.

The IFC this year has become the JFC, the JFC in Antrim is now Junior B. Also - the SFC needs to scrap the groups, a tiresome start to the competition that has become.

Does it all need time? Take all the time you want. If clubs aren't working to get better from the roots there is little point. I'm not sure very many have changed recently.

There's 34 clubs across 3 divisions at present.

I'd say a 11 teams in div 1/2 and 12 in div 3 it'll probably line up better with teams levels.

So div 1 (based on this year) would be:

Cargin, Brigids, Ballymena, Randalstown, St Galls, Creggan, PG1, Rossa, Aghagallon, Ahoghill, LD

Div 2:

Ednas, Johnnies, Glenravel, Aldergrove, Moneyglass, St Pauls, St Teresas, Glenavy, Lisburn, Davitts, Dunloy

Div 3:

Sarsfields, Rasharkin, Gort, Ardoyne, Comgalls, Laochra Lao, Na Piarsaigh, O'Ds, Aggies, Malachys, Eire Og, WolfeTones

Give it a year or two to settle in, as there's definitely teams there that looked at the league and thought, "All I have to do is win a playoff" and didn't bother like Johnnies

Some sense in that , while an 8 team Div 1 is the way to go no chance of getting clubs to do so.

I would go further and allow reserve sides in and have 4 divisions , as has been shared by many here a senior to junior B structure is needed (bad would give clubs at the bottom a chance of some silver)

Still mad that as a county we are happy for reserves to work away in hurling leagues (and see the benefit of that) but not have the same in football.

[Lár na páirce 1]

Yea to back up the rumors, i have caught wind myself Casements have strengthened both their line and their squad with inter county recruitment. So i say they are in a healthy position to kick on this year. With the new rules i think we could be in for a shock in 2025

Cargin may have added to the backroom team also but it's the hype train once again with the portglenone boys as usual!!

[inabsentia]

A youthful St Pauls team are probably better equipped for a real division 1 than several of those teams who are currently in this 16 team compost heap.

Its 8 teams too heavy and we have teams there who wouldn't beat top half intermediate teams in any other county in ulster.

The IFC this year has become the JFC, the JFC in Antrim is now Junior B. Also - the SFC needs to scrap the groups, a tiresome start to the competition that has become.

Does it all need time? Take all the time you want. If clubs aren't working to get better from the roots there is little point. I'm not sure very many have changed recently.

There's 34 clubs across 3 divisions at present.

I'd say a 11 teams in div 1/2 and 12 in div 3 it'll probably line up better with teams levels.

So div 1 (based on this year) would be:

Cargin, Brigids, Ballymena, Randalstown, St Galls, Creggan, PG1, Rossa, Aghagallon, Ahoghill, LD

Div 2:

Ednas, Johnnies, Glenravel, Aldergrove, Moneyglass, St Pauls, St Teresas, Glenavy, Lisburn, Davitts, Dunloy

Div 3:

Sarsfields, Rasharkin, Gort, Ardoyne, Comgalls, Laochra Lao, Na Piarsaigh, O'Ds, Aggies, Malachys, Eire Og, WolfeTones

Give it a year or two to settle in, as there's definitely teams there that looked at the league and thought, "All I have to do is win a playoff" and didn't bother like Johnnies

Some sense in that , while an 8 team Div 1 is the way to go no chance of getting clubs to do so.

I would go further and allow reserve sides in and have 4 divisions , as has been shared by many here a senior to junior B structure is needed (bad would give clubs at the bottom a chance of some silver)

Still mad that as a county we are happy for reserves to work away in hurling leagues (and see the benefit of that) but not have the same in football.

I think there would be too much yoyo-ing with an 8 team div 1, there'd be no chance for teams to get up and stay up.

But I agree integrating reserve sides into the pyramid would allow for more competition across the board. Problem will be where do you place them to start?

Cargins reserves would competitive in div 2 at present

[statto]

See that Antrim are 1/500 with the bookies at the weekend.  Paddy Power mustn't read this thread! Leitrim 50/1 do we know why Leitrim have been so poor to date?  Must be the shortest odds ever for a league game. 

[Hectic]

Agree on 8 team Division 1, think it's the only way to go.

Clubs were afraid of dropping out of a 12 team Division 1 as it would mean some really poor challenges in a subsequent 12 team Division 2.

However if you also have an 8 team Division 2, it should be a decent level of competitiveness and about right for teams that fear they may be near the bottom of a 12 team Division 1.

In effect you are making Division 2 a much more attractive proposition while upping the average at Division 1.

Reserve teams should also be considered. Would have to be clubs with squad numbers meaning they are capable of being in two places at once. 

How many clubs genuinely could say at the beginning of the season that they have enough to field two teams at the same time allowing for injuries, county commitments etc?  Cargin possibly. But beyond that?

[Milltown Row2]

Agree on 8 team Division 1, think it's the only way to go.

Clubs were afraid of dropping out of a 12 team Division 1 as it would mean some really poor challenges in a subsequent 12 team Division 2.

However if you also have an 8 team Division 2, it should be a decent level of competitiveness and about right for teams that fear they may be near the bottom of a 12 team Division 1.

In effect you are making Division 2 a much more attractive proposition while upping the average at Division 1.

Reserve teams should also be considered. Would have to be clubs with squad numbers meaning they are capable of being in two places at once. 

How many clubs genuinely could say at the beginning of the season that they have enough to field two teams at the same time allowing for injuries, county commitments etc?  Cargin possibly. But beyond that?

We've done it for years having the extra senior teams, we also did it at hurling and there are benefits but there are also times in the year that it can stretch even the biggest of memberships..

Did a few reserve games last year and my god, when a 53 year old is the quickest and slimmest on the pitch (me) then there are problems lol..

Cargin and Naomh Gall would be competitive but not winning the division, as I said senior teams would be pulling players at different times of the year leaving your second stream with less options

Loughgiel were in div 2 hurling, didnt pull up many trees last year I don't think

[Milltown Row2]

A youthful St Pauls team are probably better equipped for a real division 1 than several of those teams who are currently in this 16 team compost heap.

Its 8 teams too heavy and we have teams there who wouldn't beat top half intermediate teams in any other county in ulster.

The IFC this year has become the JFC, the JFC in Antrim is now Junior B. Also - the SFC needs to scrap the groups, a tiresome start to the competition that has become.

Does it all need time? Take all the time you want. If clubs aren't working to get better from the roots there is little point. I'm not sure very many have changed recently.

These proposals need to go through your club, personally I'm all for dropping the number of games at senior championship to straight knockout, but the clubs decide these things and ya know, turkeys wouldn't vote for xmas

[Lár na páirce 1]

A youthful St Pauls team are probably better equipped for a real division 1 than several of those teams who are currently in this 16 team compost heap.

Its 8 teams too heavy and we have teams there who wouldn't beat top half intermediate teams in any other county in ulster.

The IFC this year has become the JFC, the JFC in Antrim is now Junior B. Also - the SFC needs to scrap the groups, a tiresome start to the competition that has become.

Does it all need time? Take all the time you want. If clubs aren't working to get better from the roots there is little point. I'm not sure very many have changed recently.

These proposals need to go through your club, personally I'm all for dropping the number of games at senior championship to straight knockout, but the clubs decide these things and ya know, turkeys wouldn't vote for xmas

The group phase of championship is long played out Antrim should be following Derry in bringing in the same system as is in place in Down
County can't keep saying it's to give teams proper game time it's more to make money yet bar Cargin Portglenone and Creggan the rest of teams have very poor followings

[Take the Mark]

A youthful St Pauls team are probably better equipped for a real division 1 than several of those teams who are currently in this 16 team compost heap.

Its 8 teams too heavy and we have teams there who wouldn't beat top half intermediate teams in any other county in ulster.

The IFC this year has become the JFC, the JFC in Antrim is now Junior B. Also - the SFC needs to scrap the groups, a tiresome start to the competition that has become.

Does it all need time? Take all the time you want. If clubs aren't working to get better from the roots there is little point. I'm not sure very many have changed recently.

These proposals need to go through your club, personally I'm all for dropping the number of games at senior championship to straight knockout, but the clubs decide these things and ya know, turkeys wouldn't vote for xmas

Yes, fair point. Basically we currently have clubs voting to be better in league standings instead of putting the work in. This won't benefit anyone in the long run, everyone knows that but probably won't admit it at certain clubs.

Regarding clubs entering reserve teams into senior leagues - Cargin & St Galls are the 2 standouts that did this down the years. But it was scrapped, voted down no doubt by 'traditional' junior and intermediate clubs.

[bannside]

Yea to back up the rumors, i have caught wind myself Casements have strengthened both their line and their squad with inter county recruitment. So i say they are in a healthy position to kick on this year. With the new rules i think we could be in for a shock in 2025

You very nearly got a shock in 2024 under the old rules!

2025 a new year, anything could happen. Or then again Cargin could just keep on winning. That's the great thing about sport, you just don't know.

[FactCheck]

If the person who streamed the defeat to Offaly is on this board you will want to take it down. HQ have been on to Antrim board asking why it was streamed and if people where charged.

[paddyjohn]

If the person who streamed the defeat to Offaly is on this board you will want to take it down. HQ have been on to Antrim board asking for why it was streamed and if people where charged.

Was it streamed? HQ can slide on.