Antrim Football Thread

[EOC1923]

New manager new system some new players and a div 3 team playing a div 1 team away from home who were in the 14 finals last year on the 4th of Jan!!

Some serious expectations here, lets judge us when we play a team at our standard, these are pre season warm up games

People stating the obvious and fearing the worst, tired old posts

No reading into result, Were a Division 3 team and Armagh with continuity from recent years progress meant getting close to them would be hard. One concern is the fact out of last years senior semi finalists (which is 60 odd players) we only had 3 on the in the starting team. Looking at the subs this isn't going to change. Managers can only play players who commit so hopefully the team improves as the year goes on.

[NatSoSaff]

Gee whiz lads, give the heads a wobble. Positives are that we look to be making strides physically, a few new players were blooded against top opposition, new management got to look at players in a competitive setting and a couple of prospects looked like they can step up and make an impact in division 3 this year. I'm always amused that the mud slinging comes from the eejits who didn't actually travel to the game and likely didn't bother watching online either. I'd be expecting a more competitive game against Cavan on Sunday. Maybe you boys will brave the mild drizzle and head to portglenone for it.

[Caesar]

New manager new system some new players and a div 3 team playing a div 1 team away from home who were in the 14 finals last year on the 4th of Jan!!

Some serious expectations here, lets judge us when we play a team at our standard, these are pre season warm up games

People stating the obvious and fearing the worst, tired old posts

No reading into result, Were a Division 3 team and Armagh with continuity from recent years progress meant getting close to them would be hard. One concern is the fact out of last years senior semi finalists (which is 60 odd players) we only had 3 on the in the starting team. Looking at the subs this isn't going to change. Managers can only play players who commit so hopefully the team improves as the year goes on.

Fair question. Why are there so few players from Cargin, Creggan and Portglenone? At least there's a few Aghagallon men up, with Adam Loughran and Eunan Walshe notable absences?

[country bumpkin]

Gee whiz lads, give the heads a wobble. Positives are that we look to be making strides physically, a few new players were blooded against top opposition, new management got to look at players in a competitive setting and a couple of prospects looked like they can step up and make an impact in division 3 this year. I'm always amused that the mud slinging comes from the eejits who didn't actually travel to the game and likely didn't bother watching online either. I'd be expecting a more competitive game against Cavan on Sunday. Maybe you boys will brave the mild drizzle and head to portglenone for it.

Yep.....Mc Ginley got a kicking all last year despite starting with a win in Mc Kenna and giving Donegal a game in round two..
No representatives from the county champs starting...resting up after a lengthy 2022 campaign....
Times will get better......

[JimStynes]

New manager new system some new players and a div 3 team playing a div 1 team away from home who were in the 14 finals last year on the 4th of Jan!!

Some serious expectations here, lets judge us when we play a team at our standard, these are pre season warm up games

People stating the obvious and fearing the worst, tired old posts

No reading into result, Were a Division 3 team and Armagh with continuity from recent years progress meant getting close to them would be hard. One concern is the fact out of last years senior semi finalists (which is 60 odd players) we only had 3 on the in the starting team. Looking at the subs this isn't going to change. Managers can only play players who commit so hopefully the team improves as the year goes on.

Fair question. Why are there so few players from Cargin, Creggan and Portglenone? At least there's a few Aghagallon men up, with Adam Loughran and Eunan Walshe notable absences?

Adam is injured and Eunan has stepped away.

[country bumpkin]

New manager new system some new players and a div 3 team playing a div 1 team away from home who were in the 14 finals last year on the 4th of Jan!!

Some serious expectations here, lets judge us when we play a team at our standard, these are pre season warm up games

People stating the obvious and fearing the worst, tired old posts

No reading into result, Were a Division 3 team and Armagh with continuity from recent years progress meant getting close to them would be hard. One concern is the fact out of last years senior semi finalists (which is 60 odd players) we only had 3 on the in the starting team. Looking at the subs this isn't going to change. Managers can only play players who commit so hopefully the team improves as the year goes on.

Fair question. Why are there so few players from Cargin, Creggan and Portglenone? At least there's a few Aghagallon men up, with Adam Loughran and Eunan Walshe notable absences?

Adam is injured and Eunan has stepped away.

The problem is that ambition to gain success really requires full commitment from a healthy squad.
Such requires 5 sessions per week nothing less..

Anything less without firm reasons may well see a return to the basement....

[general_lee]

New manager new system some new players and a div 3 team playing a div 1 team away from home who were in the 14 finals last year on the 4th of Jan!!

Some serious expectations here, lets judge us when we play a team at our standard, these are pre season warm up games

People stating the obvious and fearing the worst, tired old posts

No reading into result, Were a Division 3 team and Armagh with continuity from recent years progress meant getting close to them would be hard. One concern is the fact out of last years senior semi finalists (which is 60 odd players) we only had 3 on the in the starting team. Looking at the subs this isn't going to change. Managers can only play players who commit so hopefully the team improves as the year goes on.

From the 60 odd players involved in the Armagh senior semi finalists only two started for Armagh last night.

[EOC1923]

New manager new system some new players and a div 3 team playing a div 1 team away from home who were in the 14 finals last year on the 4th of Jan!!

Some serious expectations here, lets judge us when we play a team at our standard, these are pre season warm up games

People stating the obvious and fearing the worst, tired old posts

No reading into result, Were a Division 3 team and Armagh with continuity from recent years progress meant getting close to them would be hard. One concern is the fact out of last years senior semi finalists (which is 60 odd players) we only had 3 on the in the starting team. Looking at the subs this isn't going to change. Managers can only play players who commit so hopefully the team improves as the year goes on.

From the 60 odd players involved in the Armagh senior semi finalists only two started for Armagh last night.

Do you think Armagh might have more quality players at their disposal than Antrim?

[Lár na páirce 1]

New manager new system some new players and a div 3 team playing a div 1 team away from home who were in the 14 finals last year on the 4th of Jan!!

Some serious expectations here, lets judge us when we play a team at our standard, these are pre season warm up games

People stating the obvious and fearing the worst, tired old posts

No reading into result, Were a Division 3 team and Armagh with continuity from recent years progress meant getting close to them would be hard. One concern is the fact out of last years senior semi finalists (which is 60 odd players) we only had 3 on the in the starting team. Looking at the subs this isn't going to change. Managers can only play players who commit so hopefully the team improves as the year goes on.

Fair question. Why are there so few players from Cargin, Creggan and Portglenone? At least there's a few Aghagallon men up, with Adam Loughran and Eunan Walshe notable absences?

Were only a few asked up as far as I know and mostly injured

[geezer]

Anyone actually expecting a different result? Armagh could have very easily gotten to the AI final last year. They are miles ahead of Antrim.

McEntee using this competition as it should, to test new players out. Will be the same on sunday.

Relax.

[imtommygunn]

One factor in the number of championship finalists is the age demographic. Croziers, McCanns , Johnstons etc are beyond county playing age.

As people said I wouldn't get too worried yet. Armagh are a level above us. Where we get to in division three is the key thing. I honestly think survival is a result and if we were to get near promotion it would be bonus territory.

[country bumpkin]

One factor in the number of championship finalists is the age demographic. Croziers, McCanns , Johnstons etc are beyond county playing age.

As people said I wouldn't get too worried yet. Armagh are a level above us. Where we get to in division three is the key thing. I honestly think survival is a result and if we were to get near promotion it would be bonus territory.

Johnston's beyond county age...?

Mc Cann's pocketed championship medals again last year....Cargin handing out p45s.......Paul and Gerard 31.....and with Kevin Mc Shwith ane , Tomas and Mick....gonna get long rests......with John Carron

30+ scrap heap.....

[imtommygunn]

 I am not in any way slating them. Going back to your point on the five nights a week you get to an age where you have commitments that don't suit that.

What is the older age of county players these days? Not much more than 30+ these days... just to be clear I am in no way talking about ability here.

The mckenna cup is the place to try the younger boys and mcentee is doing that. Teams like Armagh are just a level above us but the key thing is getting experience and eyes on a few players to take into the league.

Hopefully some of the "old" boys will come back too but it's a lot of commitment for people with young families and businesses too.

[NAG1]

One factor in the number of championship finalists is the age demographic. Croziers, McCanns , Johnstons etc are beyond county playing age.

As people said I wouldn't get too worried yet. Armagh are a level above us. Where we get to in division three is the key thing. I honestly think survival is a result and if we were to get near promotion it would be bonus territory.

Johnston's beyond county age...?

Mc Cann's pocketed championship medals again last year....Cargin handing out p45s.......Paul and Gerard 31.....and with Kevin Mc Shwith ane , Tomas and Mick....gonna get long rests......with John Carron

30+ scrap heap.....

Probably the reason why the county is where is at the moment, when this is the case.

No doubting the quality there in the players above, but when they 'pocketing' medals in that age profile it is a little concerning for the health of the talent within the county.

[country bumpkin]

One factor in the number of championship finalists is the age demographic. Croziers, McCanns , Johnstons etc are beyond county playing age.

As people said I wouldn't get too worried yet. Armagh are a level above us. Where we get to in division three is the key thing. I honestly think survival is a result and if we were to get near promotion it would be bonus territory.

Johnston's beyond county age...?

Mc Cann's pocketed championship medals again last year....Cargin handing out p45s.......Paul and Gerard 31.....and with Kevin Mc Shwith ane , Tomas and Mick....gonna get long rests......with John Carron

30+ scrap heap.....

Probably the reason why the county is where is at the moment, when this is the case.

No doubting the quality there in the players above, but when they 'pocketing' medals in that age profile it is a little concerning for the health of the talent within the county.

Hard to find logic for this N1.....when more than 50% of that 2022 wining panel.were under 25 and Cargin did collect back to back minor titles in 20 and 2021......

And those 'veterans' all played lead roles in Cargin's win over the Donegal champions, and gave Ulster club champions a real scare in the provincial semi final......?