Antrim Football Thread

[Saffsof82]

Has to stay u17 for this year, can go to u18 next year. Some players have already received sanctions based on u17 and a few transfers gone through apparently as well as lads left u17 last year. Only sensible thing to do is stick with u17 this year and return to u18 next season.

[NAG1]

Genuinely cant believe this is even a debate at this stage.

Clarity was given that we would return to the original status 2024, why not just keep to that and make the best of this year. Plan for the following year and be ready to go.

Causing trouble and chaos over nothing.

[JimStynes]

Genuinely cant believe this is even a debate at this stage.

Clarity was given that we would return to the original status 2024, why not just keep to that and make the best of this year. Plan for the following year and be ready to go.

Causing trouble and chaos over nothing.

Seems like the clubs are going to vote it to change this year though

[Lár na páirce 1]

Genuinely cant believe this is even a debate at this stage.

Clarity was given that we would return to the original status 2024, why not just keep to that and make the best of this year. Plan for the following year and be ready to go.

Causing trouble and chaos over nothing.

Seems like the clubs are going to vote it to change this year though

madness. All clubs should stick together on this one. With the amount of clubs who need the 18 year olds to field teams

[Cnoc Bán]

My opinion is, rightly or wrongly, they should just change the one age group, u17 to u18 and leave the others as is.

Then make it so only final year u18s can play senior and u15s can't play up to u18.

That would make it a simple change for this year.

Ideally I would go half ages, from next year, then to tie in with class age groups, so u11 1/2, u13 1/2, u15 1/2 and then u18 1/2 still with the 18 year olds allowed to play senior.

That would combat the drop off at that age group as really al those still of school age would still be able to play together with the strongest able to also play senior.

I am sure someone will see the error in this and happy to hear it as I can't think of the negatives myself!

[Sportacus]

Genuinely cant believe this is even a debate at this stage.

Clarity was given that we would return to the original status 2024, why not just keep to that and make the best of this year. Plan for the following year and be ready to go.

Causing trouble and chaos over nothing.

Seems like the clubs are going to vote it to change this year though

How do you know?

[EOC1923]

Genuinely cant believe this is even a debate at this stage.

Clarity was given that we would return to the original status 2024, why not just keep to that and make the best of this year. Plan for the following year and be ready to go.

Causing trouble and chaos over nothing.

Seems like the clubs are going to vote it to change this year though

How do you know?

I'm getting mixed vibes about it. Bigger clubs with plenty of players will vote to change it now as it doesn't affect them, if anything they'll gladly take the 18 year olds out of their adult squads to lessen the numbers of players needing game time. Other clubs with smaller numbers will want to wait until early 2024 when it is changing for good, as they need these 18 year olds to make up their teams. I read an article a few weeks ago saying decoupling of 18 year olds wont be in place next year as long as the 18 year olds don't play adult football before March of that season. All adds to the confusion.

[Milltown Row2]

Clubs will always look after themselves first..

It's only natural. If you have a potentially great under 17 you'll vote for that, if potentially your under 18 squad has the makings of a championship team you'll opt for that.

I never agreed with the change in the first place, seen absolutely no merit in it personally speaking

[Hoof Hearted]

Clubs will always look after themselves first..

It's only natural. If you have a potentially great under 17 you'll vote for that, if potentially your under 18 squad has the makings of a championship team you'll opt for that.

I never agreed with the change in the first place, seen absolutely no merit in it personally speaking

Have to agree on that first line

But this shouldn't be an issue on the first week of February
Same as how it took 10 days for a decision on on the AI Club final

I know you're a big supporter MR2 that no point hiding behind a keyboard, get out and volunteer, but you would really love to know what goes on the minds of the people in authority

[Milltown Row2]

Clubs will always look after themselves first..

It's only natural. If you have a potentially great under 17 you'll vote for that, if potentially your under 18 squad has the makings of a championship team you'll opt for that.

I never agreed with the change in the first place, seen absolutely no merit in it personally speaking

Have to agree on that first line

But this shouldn't be an issue on the first week of February
Same as how it took 10 days for a decision on on the AI Club final

I know you're a bit supporter MR2 that no point hiding behind a keyboard, get out and volunteer, but you would really love to know what goes on the minds of the people in authority

I've served my time at all ages and have had many, many a spat with authority's over rulings which I felt at the time went against me as manager of various teams. And not just me but other clubs too. But the reality the county ( in this case) hands tied.

Would certainly put me off going back to managing again.

Preparation is hampered, I know Jim is looking after minors so his frustration must be through the roof!!

Croke haven't covered themselves in glory recently that's for sure.

As for the club final two balls ups have given us the problem. It must be a procedure thing with regards of a club having to put in an appeal, I wouldn't know the ins and outs of that side of things tbf

[JimStynes]

I was reading that Limerick or somewhere isn't going to bother changing as it would take that long drawing up a new fixture list etc. Surely it is too rush now to start that process from next week and have it all set up and ready to go for a few weeks later.

[delgany]

I was reading that Limerick or somewhere isn't going to bother changing as it would take that long drawing up a new fixture list etc. Surely it is too rush now to start that process from next week and have it all set up and ready to go for a few weeks later.

Totally agree! Leave at u17 for 2023 and move to u18 for 2024.
Would be harsh on lads , thinking theyve moved up to senior level to now be told , go back to underage !

[north aontroim gael]

I was reading that Limerick or somewhere isn't going to bother changing as it would take that long drawing up a new fixture list etc. Surely it is too rush now to start that process from next week and have it all set up and ready to go for a few weeks later.

Totally agree! Leave at u17 for 2023 and move to u18 for 2024.
Would be harsh on lads , thinking theyve moved up to senior level to now be told , go back to underage !

I think it's harsher sending a lad just turned 18 into Senior. Another year developing do them no harm. Under 17 has been the biggest nonsense

[johnnycool]

Three options on the table;;


National Policy on Club Age Grades
1. Maintain the core club championship age grades nationally at club level as U13/15/17 with decoupling nationally remaining at U17. At least one further age grade (as suits the particular needs of the County) should be organized between U17 and Adult in this circumstance.

2. A county that wishes to organize competitions at even age grades only (12/14/16/18) may do so provided they adopt an internal bye law to decouple at U18 (i.e. in such Counties U18's would not be permitted to playing Adult competition). At least one further age grade (as suits the particular needs of the County) should be organized between U18 and Adult in this circumstance.

3. Alternatively, a county that wishes to organize competitions at even age grades only (12/14/16/18) may do so, and retain decoupling at 17 with at least one further age grade (as suits the particular needs of the County) being organized between U18 and Adult. Players in their 18th year will only be allowed to play for or train with Adult teams post March 1st and once the signed consent of the player, their parents/guardians and the Club Executive has been provided. The Task Force also recommends that no player should have to play an Adult and U18 game within 60 hours of each other and request County CCC's to adhere to this policy.


In relation to Part 3 of the policy, it is envisaged that permission would be sought on a standard Association form (possibly digitally under the new Foireann system).The form would require to be submitted in the period from March 1st - April 1St and would essentially mean that a plyer in his 18th year would be ineligible for adult competition until post March 1st annually (i.e. until the school games programme is winding down).The form will alert those involved to the risks around burnout/overtraining/overuse injuries for players in their 18th year playing with and training for multiple teams across the Youth and Adult games programmes.

[Lár na páirce 1]

Option three wasn't an option for Antrim clubs it seems that has been left out.