Antrim Football Thread

[Lár na páirce 1]

Cargin gave Moneyglass a good hammering in O'Cahan cup semi final to set up a repeat of last years county final should be a good game

[Sportacus]

Antrim have officially contested the Ulster Council's decision to stage their provincial SFC quarter-final against Armagh in Páirc Esler next month.

It is understood the county lodged the objection to Ulster GAA's decision to Croke Park this past weekend and awaiting word on when a hearing will take place. Antrim footballers have maintained they will not play the game anywhere other than Corrigan Park.


That's the summary...

I wouldn't even have bothered. We've made our position clear, it's up to the Ulster Council to get down off their silly high horse.

I'm guessing still an official route to go to cover certain bases?

Well yes, explore all avenues etc, but honestly, I just think we should sit it out, Antrim have done no wrong.

[Níl a fhios agam]

How did the game go tonight?

Ballymena won by 11. 4-12 to 0-13.

My god johnnies have a slow but steady decline from the great teams theyve historically had, right up to their last county final in 2017. Very sad to see, as obviously talent is not the issue in that club. They are very blessed with players in both codes that play county level. But outside of that they are really struggling.

[YoungSaff]

I see folk talking about relegation playoffs. Was it not said that there would be no playoffs?

Turns out I was talking shite. Top 4 and bottom 4 into playoffs to win the league and to be relegated.

Not talking shite lol , I thought i had heard the same somewhere but it kind of takes away from the league completely you can play shite the whole league and just win 1 game at the end and your safe , makes the whole thing a bit pointless , understand teams are missing players etc but still.

[YoungSaff]

Cargin gave Moneyglass a good hammering in O'Cahan cup semi final to set up a repeat of last years county final should be a good game

Look forward to that final good chance for both teams get their hands on a first piece of silverware !! I heard Cargin were well at the races and blew them away in the second half , wasn't many in it at half time but a few dodgey calls including a square ball when the ref was near the half way line !!

[Hectic]

How did the game go tonight?

Ballymena won by 11. 4-12 to 0-13.

My god johnnies have a slow but steady decline from the great teams theyve historically had, right up to their last county final in 2017. Very sad to see, as obviously talent is not the issue in that club. They are very blessed with players in both codes that play county level. But outside of that they are really struggling.

Very possibly the case but I wouldn't be using the opening league fixture as evidence for anything. 

Both teams likely well under strength plus Ballymena this year, as with last, went at the Ulster league with fair gusto so should be in a higher gear just now.

Ballymena also have a good size of squad of solid, if not spectacular, performers so while might not be championship challengers they are well stocked for another decent league campaign.  Other teams will have more of a drop off with absentees.

And regardless it's a long long time since St John's were a proper top side.

[Hectic]

I see folk talking about relegation playoffs. Was it not said that there would be no playoffs?

Turns out I was talking shite. Top 4 and bottom 4 into playoffs to win the league and to be relegated.

Not talking shite lol , I thought i had heard the same somewhere but it kind of takes away from the league completely you can play shite the whole league and just win 1 game at the end and your safe , makes the whole thing a bit pointless , understand teams are missing players etc but still.

Depends how you look at it.

There are a number of teams with county players not available.  This is not just senior county football but also senior county hurling as well as U20 commitments across the codes depending on the club.

Could argue leagues already devalued if a lot of teams are playing without marquee players.

At least with the current model county commitments are generally cleared up by the time playoffs happen meaning clubs are not in effect being punished for providing county players.

That said there is definitely a question on timing of playoffs as I believe most teams involved in last years winner and relegation playoffs had a number of lads on holiday. But I don't know when a better time is.

As well the current model nearly forces teams to blood a lot more players into senior football than if they were going all out to win a league or avoid relegation.  Maybe through time the levels will rise across squads as a result.

And that's not coming from a place where I am championing the current structure.  Because for competitive leagues I prefer 8, 8, 10 and 8+ (depending if any clubs have genuine resource to put their reserves in the league structures). 

But I don't think the current structure is as bad as some make out.

[Take the Mark]

I think it could be any of 4 or 5 teams to go down. Dunloy could be in that mix. I wouldn't be ruling out seeing Lamh Dhearg down round the bottom. Their season ended pitifully in last years semi final, not sure what they will have to add to that side - they might lose men from it if anything.

Ahoghill are a side who keep pulling it out of the bag to beat the drop too - that might change some time soon with low numbers and aging players. Glenravel will certainly struggle for wins without their county men too.

Pencil Naomh Eoin in for the fight for relegation after last nights result. Thats a trimming. More contenders for relegation than there is for top 2.

[YoungSaff]

I see folk talking about relegation playoffs. Was it not said that there would be no playoffs?

Turns out I was talking shite. Top 4 and bottom 4 into playoffs to win the league and to be relegated.

Not talking shite lol , I thought i had heard the same somewhere but it kind of takes away from the league completely you can play shite the whole league and just win 1 game at the end and your safe , makes the whole thing a bit pointless , understand teams are missing players etc but still.

Depends how you look at it.

There are a number of teams with county players not available.  This is not just senior county football but also senior county hurling as well as U20 commitments across the codes depending on the club.

Could argue leagues already devalued if a lot of teams are playing without marquee players.

At least with the current model county commitments are generally cleared up by the time playoffs happen meaning clubs are not in effect being punished for providing county players.

That said there is definitely a question on timing of playoffs as I believe most teams involved in last years winner and relegation playoffs had a number of lads on holiday. But I don't know when a better time is.

As well the current model nearly forces teams to blood a lot more players into senior football than if they were going all out to win a league or avoid relegation.  Maybe through time the levels will rise across squads as a result.

And that's not coming from a place where I am championing the current structure.  Because for competitive leagues I prefer 8, 8, 10 and 8+ (depending if any clubs have genuine resource to put their reserves in the league structures). 

But I don't think the current structure is as bad as some make out.

agreed hard to keep everyone happy and have it to suit everyone , you make valid points about bleeding players and hence maybe boosting overall quality. It gives an incentive too I suppose for teams without county men to go for it early days and get points on the board.

hard to suit everyone but i suppose majority counties are the same

[Gaels1789]

Any truth about a few players losing the faith in mcantee and packing the bags?

Can't say I blame them same shit different year what has he brought to Antrim football???

If true they are missing them biggest game of the year so far Antrim could be down very handy

Hopefully I'm wrong but came from a player

[Gaels1789]

Cargin gave Moneyglass a good hammering in O'Cahan cup semi final to set up a repeat of last years county final should be a good game


 yea I seen that Cargin nearly full out missing 2/3, I seen that moneyglass team must be missing 6/7 starters maybe more hopefully Its just for that game or it could be a tough year for them,

Although I did hear Cargin were very slick as to be expected by the current county champs

[YoungSaff]

Any truth about a few players losing the faith in mcantee and packing the bags?

Can't say I blame them same shit different year what has he brought to Antrim football???

If true they are missing them biggest game of the year so far Antrim could be down very handy

Hopefully I'm wrong but came from a player

I had heard a rumour from one of the lads involved with the set up that there was recently a clash of heads with a lot of players some of whom were injured and McEntee was pressuring them to play but not sure if they walked or not ? who was the player shared the info Gaels if you don't mind sharing ?

[Milltown Row2]

Any truth about a few players losing the faith in mcantee and packing the bags?

Can't say I blame them same shit different year what has he brought to Antrim football???

If true they are missing them biggest game of the year so far Antrim could be down very handy

Hopefully I'm wrong but came from a player

Not sure what age you are but I'm not too sure what manager other than Baker and Gomrley (Tommy cup) in so many years have brought to Antrim, it's been rinse repeat for many years, but we will continually blame the manger? It's not cotton to a lot of people that we are crap (and I mean that in the nicest of terms) at football? if you are in your late 80's you may remember the good times, but I'm glad I witnessed an Ulster Final, once 

[YoungSaff]

Any truth about a few players losing the faith in mcantee and packing the bags?

Can't say I blame them same shit different year what has he brought to Antrim football???

If true they are missing them biggest game of the year so far Antrim could be down very handy

Hopefully I'm wrong but came from a player

Not sure what age you are but I'm not too sure what manager other than Baker and Gomrley (Tommy cup) in so many years have brought to Antrim, it's been rinse repeat for many years, but we will continually blame the manger? It's not cotton to a lot of people that we are crap (and I mean that in the nicest of terms) at football? if you are in your late 80's you may remember the good times, but I'm glad I witnessed an Ulster Final, once 

i agree MR2 we cannot keep pointing the finger and a manager can only play the cards he is dealt with player availability , commitment etc. However I do not agree with disregarding player welfare in order to have certain guys playing , if boys are hurt their health and welfare is a lot more important than playing for Antrim , they should be catering for injured guys who are still attending and helping get them fit rather than playing them against their will or pressuring them to.

[imtommygunn]

I think it is possible the wheels are coming off. Sligo would be favourites on Sunday but hopefully I can be proven wrong. Worst is barring Offaly game I think we have been close enough in most games and they could have went either way though you could say that for a few years.