Antrim Football Thread

[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.

[SaffronSports]

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.

[Milltown Row2]

How did the game go tonight?

[SaffronSports]

How did the game go tonight?

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

[Milltown Row2]

Many two pointers?

[takeyourpoint]

Johnnies scored 2 or 3

[FactCheck]

any team news from both?

imagine both fairly light

[Hectic]

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?

[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.