Antrim Football Thread

[SaffronSports]

I'd say the dynamic is different this year. In previous years teams aim to peak in the Championship. This year, I think to be at your best for the Championship, you will want your best players to have as much experience of the new rules as possible. League table shows that with the teams being talked about, Cargin, Creggan, St Galls, Portglenone and St Brigids all currently in the top 6.

[Spike]

It could also be the strange anomaly of Antrim football which sees the County team full of players from the weaker teams in our Premier league, leaving them at a disadvantage for some games and the top teams competing for championships having little to no recognition or representation.


And then we wonder what the reasons could be as to why that quality of our County panellists have been relegated into Division 4

[Hectic]

Our county panel would win the senior club championship at a canter if they were in it.

[Spike]

would get to a final.  wouldn't have the  mentality or the minerals to win it.

[Milltown Row2]

Had this thought many years ago when Antrim were doing the same thing and thought our club would beat them in a game, with something at stake.... But the reality was they wouldn't have, there is a different conditioning for players at county level than club.. Peak county is beating peak club every week

[Spike]

Had this thought many years ago when Antrim were doing the same thing and thought our club would beat them in a game, with something at stake.... But the reality was they wouldn't have, there is a different conditioning for players at county level than club.. Peak county is beating peak club every week

In a normal county set up yes.  But to misquote Fergie ''Hey lads, it's Antrim''

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

That also rings true for our club teams at present though. Our top team is mediocre at best by the standards of other counties.

[Spike]

though its still much better than our county side. Go figure.

[YoungSaff]

though its still much better than our county side. Go figure.

Could you name the best starting 15 in the county atm I am curious to see this as you think they would beat the county team?

[Spike]

though its still much better than our county side. Go figure.

Could you name the best starting 15 in the county atm I am curious to see this as you think they would beat the county team?

are you seriously telling me you couldn't name a better starting 15 in the county outside of the 15 that started against Limerick?   Do you watch Senior football?

[ck]

though its still much better than our county side. Go figure.

Could you name the best starting 15 in the county atm I am curious to see this as you think they would beat the county team?

are you seriously telling me you couldn't name a better starting 15 in the county outside of the 15 that started against Limerick?   Do you watch Senior football?

Go on. Put your money where your mouth is. Name a better starting 15 in the county outside of the 15 that started against Limerick.

[YoungSaff]

though its still much better than our county side. Go figure.

Could you name the best starting 15 in the county atm I am curious to see this as you think they would beat the county team?

are you seriously telling me you couldn't name a better starting 15 in the county outside of the 15 that started against Limerick?  Do you watch Senior football?

I agree with you in the sense that there are better players not in the squad in the county but in every position ? Factor in injuries etc and its hard. Definitely improvements in a few positions but do not think there is a better 15 really

[YoungSaff]

though its still much better than our county side. Go figure.

Could you name the best starting 15 in the county atm I am curious to see this as you think they would beat the county team?

are you seriously telling me you couldn't name a better starting 15 in the county outside of the 15 that started against Limerick?   Do you watch Senior football?

Go on. Put your money where your mouth is. Name a better starting 15 in the county outside of the 15 that started against Limerick.

Agree CK , I am genuinely just interested to see your POV not in a cheeky way. There are some good talents outside county squad but I don't think we could have a much better 15

[BigGreenField]

While the current make up of the county senior team ais an interesting diversion and helps Cargin supporters circle the wagons ahead of Championsjp it's not really the main issue, neither is the structure of the leagues (although it is wrong)

Standards of coaching (both quantity and quality) have to go up. In patches they are and this is reflected in the range of which clubs are beginning to make progress  at juvenile level. How to force this is a challenge, it's a volunteer gig. Personally, I'd give clubs a "rating" of coaching quality of some description , if that comes with restrictions/teeth if not at a min level is a tougher one.

Schools need to enter higher standard competition , accept they won't win them but exposing players even at group stages to higher standards has long term benefits. It's no surprise that the county border clubs are the strongest in recent years as their players have had repeat high level schools exposure in Derry or Armagh.

From a county dev perspective I think they need to be tougher on athletes who are
Multi sport and missing out on key development because of  another sport, sign up to a min number of sessions or make way for a player who will - build the culture of minimum standards here.

S&C - in patches this is improving, teams are more athletic. Not convinced enough are doing the required amount of foundation building from 16 on that needs done. Other counties run the model of regional S & C with a large number taking part in 3 or 4 hubs, again if players sign up then county takes them in for S &C regardless of if they are on the playing panel (clubs or paid for private facilities are the gyms, county provides the expertise)

Gaelfast role is to raise awareness of games and increase participation, i think they are doing that with bigger all resources.  Clubs are increasingly sending volunteers into Local primary schools to help with PE and after schools sessions with volunteers taking time off to do this. Huge effort and getting more consistent ball in hand
time for kids.

[Take the Mark]

I don't want to come across as a snob    so I won't mention any names from Cargin but there are certainly players in the county better than a lot of those starting for Antrim. Smyth from Dunloy, along with Seán Elliott. Ruari McCann another, McAleer another, Healy another...