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Messages - Spike

#1
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
May 12, 2026, 03:15:44 PM
what grounds in Antrim have a bit of atmosphere?  take it there
#2
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
April 18, 2026, 08:36:50 PM
Score that sitter late on and theres 7 between the sides.   They counter immediately, go up and knock over a 2 pointer and its out to 12. Thats the margins.

Antrim in similar place to last year but with some more bite. Never looked like winning after that terrible 1st goal went in, undid a lot of good work.

Paddy McBride has some neck on him being a pundit today after ditching them. 
#3
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
April 04, 2026, 02:22:13 PM
What is everyone's opinion on our development squads?  Just looking at that camogie result today and our recent gaa and lgfa squads. For every decent set up there seems to be a mess elsewhere.  How can we get a proper set up for all codes at all age groups?
#4
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
March 23, 2026, 11:14:07 AM
you would think they need to pick picking up cheap points at the start of the league.  cant see it getting any easier once the better clubs have men back from county and fitness levels improved.
#5
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
March 18, 2026, 12:22:30 PM
Quote from: Christmas Lights on March 16, 2026, 10:53:34 PM
Quote from: JimStynes on March 16, 2026, 10:11:57 PMGlorified friendlies at this time of year

What's the point of the league then?

Very little other than to get players fit and experiment with positions and systems.  the better teams can afford to put out reserve sides knowing with the poor quality at the bottom due to the size of the league there is no chance of relegation.   the playoff winner system means a late run will get you into the play offs.

Waterford game positive was seeing Healy back and more miles for others.  good to get the win for momentum and confidence
#6
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
March 02, 2026, 05:30:01 PM
shame the better clubs have chosen not to take it a bit more seriously after its regen last year. 
#7
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
March 02, 2026, 09:19:24 AM
some new players in has helped, forward players starting to gel, others players starting in proper positions and the spine working with each other.   
#8
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
February 25, 2026, 11:57:42 AM
Would be surprised if creggan and st brigids arent in the mix. Both have their issues but very capable.  Unknown if the Downey relocations are a morale boost or a crusher for the biddys.   dont know where PG1 are at as they looked stale all last season and dont know if they have it in them to find that extra few percent.  St Galls dangerous and upcoming though may be a year of more development rather than a title challenge.  Think the worst thing happened Cargin last year was beating Dunloy with a bit to spare in the earlier rounds of the championship.  Underestimated them in the final and their tactical set up showed that. Dunloy will be dangerous again and with the added confidence of championship win.  Could be a repeat of last years final. 
#9
Antrim / Re: Antrim camogie
February 23, 2026, 11:00:19 AM
well done NGG for starting it up

a rare win that should be cherished.   realise it wasnt Cork full out but the strength of the cork panel would have been too much is previous years so credit due to the progress the girls are making.  antrim beating cork in any code will always be of note

was it individual performances or was a there a tactical change from the tipperary match that made the difference?
#10
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
February 23, 2026, 10:55:45 AM
Good win especially in the circumstances. hopefully this is the start of it
#11
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
February 17, 2026, 10:42:13 AM
its a bit of everything  - everything needs to be done well and done well consistently over time.  The schools arent the deciding factor but they give a polish and another few percent.

Every club is different and has their own personalities and pros and cons that affect how they can approach things.    One poster mentioned Dunloy having 63 kids in P1 and are an outstanding club model now in both codes. On the flip side I  would suggest Creggan, Cargin and Moneyglass wouldnt have 63 P1s in their parish between them yet are competing at senior level individually.

Some clubs have a good coach for a couple of years and then a vacuum afterwards.  Others get a natural bunch of outstanding talent which masks the shitshow above and below.

Consistency of good practice can only bring its rewards but it is not a quick fix. Too many kids cast adrift at 12 because they are too small and too many of our clubs are hoping for that quick fix.  i go to a lot of underage football and it is apparent which clubs put the effort in and which don't.  This may sound mad in 2026 but simple things like having a pitch ready or a set of jerseys are not givens.

Consistent good effort year after year will eventually pay off - though it takes time. It cant be intermittent.
#12
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
February 17, 2026, 09:05:50 AM
How close are St Louis to getting out of the MacLarnon Cup and into the MacRory?
#13
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
February 16, 2026, 02:39:05 PM
People living along the loughshore naturally look west rather than east.  it will take something unnatural to change that. 

Add in that magherafelt is only 5 or 6 miles away then simple geography is going to rule.

South Derry and Tyrone schools also don't have to worry about hurling too much and can concentrate on the football.

maybe a better option would be to target st louis and st benedicts.    then have st killians and cross and passion in the glens.    im sure someone better placed in belfast could suggest more than a few rivalries in north, south and west belfast.

Parents are sending their kids to magherafelt because they are good schools and it is closer than ballymena. 

There is zero chance the board of governors at st louis are going to change to non-selective just for the good of antrim football!

Parents in ardboe cookstown and moortown also send their kids to magherafelt and they seem to be quite secure in their tyroneness. 
#14
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
February 16, 2026, 02:06:22 PM
off the top of my head Deans and St Ciarans.  i'm sure there are more.
#15
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
February 16, 2026, 01:58:24 PM
Quote from: imtommygunn on February 16, 2026, 01:42:39 PMYeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

you also need to invest in a high school in the vicinity of st louis for natural school rivalry in addition to providing a route for the kids who didnt pass the transfer test.    pumping money into st louis alone is throwing good money after bad and neglecting the majority of the playing base