Antrim Football Thread

[marty34]

I would say that's a bit harsh. They are pretty much in the top four in the county which isn't bad. There are just better teams than them.

I'd say this is a fair assessment.

For a single code club I would be questioning that if I were them. But maybe top 4 is good enough.

Do you think if they were dual code they would have an excuse for being lower?   Sometimes a club can hit the jackpot with a group of exceptional athletes who can turn their hand to anything.

No I would just expect a single code club to be more competitive.
No doubt you can hit and exceptional group in one go, but I would have thought this one will stick with them for a bit.

Personally, I think being dual can help clubs to a point unless they get consistent good runs in both codes which can eventually lead to fatigue.

I'd go back to a comment Damian Cassidy made in the Cargin vs Aghagallon commentary, the day before Dunloy vs St Brigids. He said St Brigids would win as in their bye week they were in Dublin playing a challenge football match while Dunloy had a Championship hurling match. All I could thing of at that time was how I'd far rather the team had the intensity of a championship hurling match over travelling for a football challenge match.

Fair point.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

That's all well and good but in the week before a hurling championship game, football only clubs are getting at least 3 sessions done while the dual club gets no (meaningful) football. That's every other week. I know which preparation every manager in the country would prefer.

[marty34]

That's all well and good but in the week before a hurling championship game, football only clubs are getting at least 3 sessions done while the dual club gets no (meaningful) football. That's every other week. I know which preparation every manager in the country would prefer.

You need to check out how teams like Dunloy, Sleacht Néill and LM Castleiney do it.

It's works very well by taking it week about. At this time of year, it's not about fitness. Moreso, ball work, shooting and tactics. 

[Spike]

its all relative.  Someone brought up and continuing to play both hurling and football has developed higher levels of coordination, peripheral vision and a brain that is quicker to understand and adapt to different training sessions. 

In short, if the training is correctly planned out they actually have the advantage.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

That's all well and good but in the week before a hurling championship game, football only clubs are getting at least 3 sessions done while the dual club gets no (meaningful) football. That's every other week. I know which preparation every manager in the country would prefer.

You need to check out how teams like Dunloy, Sleacht Néill and LM Castleiney do it.

It's works very well by taking it week about. At this time of year, it's not about fitness. Moreso, ball work, shooting and tactics. 

Some clubs have once in a lifetime groups who can do it.
With regards Dunloy....they went from winning hurling championships at a canter to not winning them in the time their footballers became competitive.

[Saffrongael]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

[paddyjohn]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

I'm sure he's not happy but I'm also sure he's a proud Dunloy man.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

I think you miss the point. I imagine he's happy and proud of those lads' achievements. But he can be those things and still acknowledge that it complicates his preparations for the hurling run in. A nice problem to have for any club of course, but still a bit of a problem.
Everyone wants to see success in their club across all codes and what Dunloy are doing is fantastic.
The debate on whether the rise of football has had an impact on their hurling is 100% a real one though.

[Take the Mark]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

Nonsense. I am unfortunately old enough to remember Shane playing in, not a final but certainly at least one football semi final.

[paddyjohn]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

Nonsense. I am unfortunately old enough to remember Shane playing in, not a final but certainly at least one football semi final.

And a fine footballer he was.

[marty34]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

I'm sure he's delighted. His club in a hurling semi-final and in a football club final.

Why wouldn't he be?

[Gael-in-exile]

I seen a review on how Dunloy managed player workload back in 2019. It was miles above anything else I seen and at that stage on a par with county teams, if not better.
I'm sure in the intervening years this has been maintained and likely improved. While the dual aspect adds pressure and some issues I'd say they are so well prepared that the momentum and feel good factor around the club due to the success of both teams will outweigh the dual pressure.

Don't forget this isn't like St John's or Rossa hoping to do well in one code where they are strong and trying to progress or maintain senior status in another. That's a different pressure altogether.