Antrim Football Thread

[paddyjohn]

Did Niall McKenna come in from the cold for this game or had he playing all year?

Niall played, he's been injured most of the year and has just started lining out for ballycastle over the last few weeks in hurling. He hasn't been out in the cold as you would say.

I understand him transferring to play hurling for Ballycastle as he's living there, but why would you still be playing football in Belfast (but not hurling) ?

He still enjoys playing with his mates and obviously has an agreement with paddy as to how they were going to manage it. From a club point of view is it better to have niall for football and let him have more time with his family & reduce travel rather than not have him at all? 100% it is. It was all sorted before his injury. He was always expected to play county hurling then maybe play a few football league games and then championship. Injury etc cut the county out of the picture and he's not long back. He played well last night and long may that continue and everyone is delighted  to have him on-board.

He's some asset!

[asaffgael]

Div 2 league decider was a good game last night at Moneyglasse's new pitch I went down

That young lad Brian Healy can seriously dig a ball off the deck pulled Sarsfields out anytime it got tight with a big score.

Moneyglass didn't seem to click missing an early penalty too , I think that will make a great first round championship game !!

Thought Ray Matthews did good job in the middle


Left our game at ht due to it being a beating in match sadly.

Seen the second half from what I seen Sairsfields lived off frees from Healy who was impressive off the ground.

Moneyglass had there chances to just missed 1/2 at crucial times. The mark 50m rule is a terrible one Ray gave 2 against moneyglass which lead to 2 2pt frees and didn't give one the other way but other than that he wasn't the losing or winning of the game.

I must admit Sairsfields are a lot better and more physical than I originally thought credit to them getting out of division 2,

as for moneyglass a bit nervy at times that comes with a young team but they need regroup for championship.


I think it could be a great championship to watch this summer

Did the 50m mark rule not change last weekend so shouldn't have been moved up  on Wednesday? It's only a free at the spot now.

[Milltown Row2]

Div 2 league decider was a good game last night at Moneyglasse's new pitch I went down

That young lad Brian Healy can seriously dig a ball off the deck pulled Sarsfields out anytime it got tight with a big score.

Moneyglass didn't seem to click missing an early penalty too , I think that will make a great first round championship game !!

Thought Ray Matthews did good job in the middle


Left our game at ht due to it being a beating in match sadly.

Seen the second half from what I seen Sairsfields lived off frees from Healy who was impressive off the ground.

Moneyglass had there chances to just missed 1/2 at crucial times. The mark 50m rule is a terrible one Ray gave 2 against moneyglass which lead to 2 2pt frees and didn't give one the other way but other than that he wasn't the losing or winning of the game.

I must admit Sairsfields are a lot better and more physical than I originally thought credit to them getting out of division 2,

as for moneyglass a bit nervy at times that comes with a young team but they need regroup for championship.


I think it could be a great championship to watch this summer

Did the 50m mark rule not change last weekend so shouldn't have been moved up  on Wednesday? It's only a free at the spot now.

Starts tonight

[Plugin]

Looks like aghagallons money taking regime is ticking along nicely ?!?

[Goodray]

Looks like aghagallons money taking regime is ticking along nicely ?!?

The hierarchy seem happy enough to get relegated rather than sacking Pete McGrath and his backroom team.

[thegladiator]

Looks like aghagallons money taking regime is ticking along nicely ?!?

The hierarchy seem happy enough to get relegated rather than sacking Pete McGrath and his backroom team.

Unless they know something we don't in terms of no relegation  from  D1 this year and yet another restructure? The rumour mill is starting  to click into gear to that effect

[Hard2Listen2]

Looks like aghagallons money taking regime is ticking along nicely ?!?

The hierarchy seem happy enough to get relegated rather than sacking Pete McGrath and his backroom team.

Who is in his backroom team?
In the past he has always had his nephew Pete Jnr in tow

[Goodray]

Looks like aghagallons money taking regime is ticking along nicely ?!?

The hierarchy seem happy enough to get relegated rather than sacking Pete McGrath and his backroom team.

Who is in his backroom team?
In the past he has always had his nephew Pete Jnr in tow

Pete Junior seems to be charge.
Your man Spug from Lurgan is the lack of fitness coach.
The goalkeepers coach, I'm not sure who he is, could be some boy from Co Down, yet to see any goalkeeping improvement tho.

[Hectic]

Bar an upset in the last round of fixtures it looks like we have the 3 main championship challengers in the top 4 of the league in the form of Cargin, Creggan and St Brides. Doubt any will show their hand in league playoff.

Creggan will need someone else to take Cargin out of the championship if they are going to win it.

Ballymena the other team putting in a good league campaign and for the second year running. 

Be interesting to see if they can translate that to championship or if they go the way of Randalstown last year who finished top 4 league but were not near it come championship.

As for league bottom 4, Aghagallon can only overtake St John's at this stage but will have to beat Ballymena and hope St Paul's take something off the Johnnies.  Looks a long shot.

[Take the Mark]

I don't think it will be a matter of showing any hands in the playoffs, moreso teams juggling due to player holidays and injuries.

Can't see Aghagallon beating Ballymena, even if they do I imagine St Johns will have enough for St Pauls to get away from playing any relegation playoff.

Both top and bottom playoffs are balls anyway. Whoever finishes top should win and those in the relegation spots should be down.

[AllStar15]

If Aghagallon and St.Johns win I think that puts Pauls in to the bottom 4 on score difference. (three on the same points means no H2H)

[AllStar15]

I don't think it will be a matter of showing any hands in the playoffs, moreso teams juggling due to player holidays and injuries.

Can't see Aghagallon beating Ballymena, even if they do I imagine St Johns will have enough for St Pauls to get away from playing any relegation playoff.

Both top and bottom playoffs are balls anyway. Whoever finishes top should win and those in the relegation spots should be down.

Winners should be winners - relegation playoff makes more sense

[Take the Mark]

Crazy to think that some of those teams could fend off relegation in league playoffs and have to do the same again after championship.

[Round or stuffed]

If Aghagallon and St.Johns win I think that puts Pauls in to the bottom 4 on score difference. (three on the same points means no H2H)

surely score difference doesn't apply after aghohill didn't field?

[Plugin]

Looks like aghagallons money taking regime is ticking along nicely ?!?

The hierarchy seem happy enough to get relegated rather than sacking Pete McGrath and his backroom team.

Who is in his backroom team?
In the past he has always had his nephew Pete Jnr in tow

Pete Junior seems to be charge.
Your man Spug from Lurgan is the lack of fitness coach.
The goalkeepers coach, I'm not sure who he is, could be some boy from Co Down, yet to see any goalkeeping improvement tho.

Never seen junior's name attached to much success over the years ...is this his first rodeo ?