Antrim Football Thread

[Spike]

its all relative.  Someone brought up and continuing to play both hurling and football has developed higher levels of coordination, peripheral vision and a brain that is quicker to understand and adapt to different training sessions. 

In short, if the training is correctly planned out they actually have the advantage.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

That's all well and good but in the week before a hurling championship game, football only clubs are getting at least 3 sessions done while the dual club gets no (meaningful) football. That's every other week. I know which preparation every manager in the country would prefer.

You need to check out how teams like Dunloy, Sleacht Néill and LM Castleiney do it.

It's works very well by taking it week about. At this time of year, it's not about fitness. Moreso, ball work, shooting and tactics. 

Some clubs have once in a lifetime groups who can do it.
With regards Dunloy....they went from winning hurling championships at a canter to not winning them in the time their footballers became competitive.

[Saffrongael]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

[paddyjohn]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

I'm sure he's not happy but I'm also sure he's a proud Dunloy man.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

I think you miss the point. I imagine he's happy and proud of those lads' achievements. But he can be those things and still acknowledge that it complicates his preparations for the hurling run in. A nice problem to have for any club of course, but still a bit of a problem.
Everyone wants to see success in their club across all codes and what Dunloy are doing is fantastic.
The debate on whether the rise of football has had an impact on their hurling is 100% a real one though.

[Take the Mark]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

Nonsense. I am unfortunately old enough to remember Shane playing in, not a final but certainly at least one football semi final.

[paddyjohn]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

Nonsense. I am unfortunately old enough to remember Shane playing in, not a final but certainly at least one football semi final.

And a fine footballer he was.

[marty34]

Ask Shane Elliott how he feels about Dunloy footballers getting to an Antrim final

I'm sure he's delighted. His club in a hurling semi-final and in a football club final.

Why wouldn't he be?

[Gael-in-exile]

I seen a review on how Dunloy managed player workload back in 2019. It was miles above anything else I seen and at that stage on a par with county teams, if not better.
I'm sure in the intervening years this has been maintained and likely improved. While the dual aspect adds pressure and some issues I'd say they are so well prepared that the momentum and feel good factor around the club due to the success of both teams will outweigh the dual pressure.

Don't forget this isn't like St John's or Rossa hoping to do well in one code where they are strong and trying to progress or maintain senior status in another. That's a different pressure altogether.

[Lár na páirce 1]

Dunloy the new powerhouse club
Have to be favourites after the weekend now big ball small ball they can do it all apparently

[Christmas Lights]

Dunloy the new powerhouse club
Have to be favourites after the weekend now big ball small ball they can do it all apparently

Assume you're a Cargin man? They won't be beat in Antrim, game will follow a similar pattern to the final a couple of years ago, Cargin will prevail with a bit to spare.

Their focus should really be on progressing somewhat in Ulster but its hard to see them getting past the first round again in that competition.

[EOC1923]

Dunloy the new powerhouse club
Have to be favourites after the weekend now big ball small ball they can do it all apparently

Assume you're a Cargin man? They won't be beat in Antrim, game will follow a similar pattern to the final a couple of years ago, Cargin will prevail with a bit to spare.

Their focus should really be on progressing somewhat in Ulster but its hard to see them getting past the first round again in that competition.

And (IF) they do win Antrim but then failed to get past the Derry champions away in Celtic Park in the first round Ulster would that be deemed a failure of a season?

[SaffronSports]

Not for me. I'd consider them or Dunloy beating the Derry champions to be a massive shock so if they lose you can't be saying its a failure.

[Christmas Lights]

Dunloy the new powerhouse club
Have to be favourites after the weekend now big ball small ball they can do it all apparently

Assume you're a Cargin man? They won't be beat in Antrim, game will follow a similar pattern to the final a couple of years ago, Cargin will prevail with a bit to spare.

Their focus should really be on progressing somewhat in Ulster but its hard to see them getting past the first round again in that competition.

And (IF) they do win Antrim but then failed to get past the Derry champions away in Celtic Park in the first round Ulster would that be deemed a failure of a season?

Of course not, winning the championship is still a brilliant season for anyone regardless of how many times a team has won it. But its probably getting to that stage where you'd want to see progression within the ulster series. Just because its an Antrim club, there shouldn't be any inferior complex playing away to the Derry champions. This is club football, not county football,  there should be very little between the best club teams in each county.  Derrygonnelly can reach ulster finals. St Galls have been there,  I just want to see an Antrim team make a real go again in ulster and would love to see Cargin do that.

[SoloAndGo]

Standard in Antrim football and within each of the championships is poor. Cargin, Moneyglass and St Agnes all to win at a canter.