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I agree MR2 that yes the shamrocks are favourites as the three in a row champions should be but what is it that makes you so certain that it will be nothing but a comprehensive Loughgiel victory?

On the back of two very strong Cross and Passion and St Marys teams who had won All-Irelands/made the final the Antrim minor team should have turned Dublin.Still convinced Croke Park moved it to Crossmaglen and sent a dodgy referee as it would have looked bad after all the money pumped into Dublns set-up.Antrim had them on the ropes and then Matthew Donnelly was sent off for a very soft foul.

As for senior championship:

Cushendall vs St Johns will be game of the weekend. It doesn't take a great stretch of the imagination to see an upset here
Dunloy and Ballycastle to follow Loughiels example and cruise through.

It will be two superb semi-finals and the most open in years!

Did Loughgiel hit top gear or were St Galls poor?Did Watson make an appearance in the endup?

A lot of people are rather quick to put the boot into Ballycastle.ie our own support. I still think that there isn't much between Loughgiel,Cushendall,Ballycastle and Dunloy.St Johns have supposedly got Dinny Cahill up so could be a banana skin there. Ballycastle were poor last night I agree but now is the time to try things out and I think that happened last night. Our biggest worry should be getting young McLister back to fitness.

SIE loughgiel favourites and I don't thin anyone in Ballycastle would argue otherwise.

Black and Amber Boy what was wrong with what you seen today?Our senior team is as competitive as it has been for 10-15years.I think judgements like that should be left until September?But yes MR2 Cassidy is the coach and Mickey McShane manager.

Ballycastle 0-15 - 1-15 Loughgiel

Tight game.Loughgiel had full strength team out for perhaps the first time this year??Could have went either way in my opinion.Both teams ticking over nicely for championship where I think we will see a super semi-final between them.

@NAG1 I agree that a club like Ballycastle shouldn't have a lack of talent due to the population they can draw on but it happens in every club. The current team has usually about 10-12 U21 players starting and possibly only two over 26?? As SIE pointed out winning a Feis can give a team belief at this level as happened with Loughgiel. Ballycastle probably wont win the Championship but they are back as contenders.They ran Cushendall to two points despite not hitting a point from play.They ran Dunloy to a point in last years championship.This group of player has won everything on their way up.That is the difference to the players throughout the 2000s

Just in reply to the earlier thread about underage teams.You only need 3-4 each year to have a panel.However as it was with Crossmaglen it can take one team that wins the whole way up to reinvigorate a clubs senior set up. St Johns and ourselves are both in this boat.In regard to hardstation Ballycastles youth setup has come full circle.We compete in nearly every age division and have won three U21s in the past 6/7 years.Not bad for a club with poor underage structures.

I would agree its hard to look by an LG win especially after a poor dip in form from our boys.But a good performance to build for championship would be good.I dunno about the sending off.Apart from the Portaferry game the Town have had much improved discipline!

Well men after the farce today any predicitions on tomorrows Feis Final?

It does reflect on the referee.He admitted to lying about what MMS has said which just about sums up a dreadful performance by Terry Reilly.There was not a dirty slap in the game and then he just lost the plot!

SIE....was wondering what you thought of the two games in Loughgiel at the weekend.Two great games of hurling i thought.Although making progress i feel we are a long way of challenging yet.But was wetted the appetite to go and watch more of the U21 Champ.An great double header in Dunloy men.Id say as with Rossa vs Town another two great games on the cards!

Hardstation i dont see how yous can complain....tbh i thght his sending off of young Donnelly was a disgraceful decision.But a superb game of hurling by both teams.As i predicted a game of the year contender there.

I think the Loughgiel and Cushendall will be easy wins for them in the U21 Champ.But St Kevins vs St Johns and Ballycastle vs Rossa should be two super games of hurling.I would say two of the games of the year.Also noticed that the U21 County panel has been announced.Surely the selectors should have watched the U21 Champ and then named a panel from there?

I think this years U21 championship will be super.So many strong teams in with a chance.Rossa,Lgiel,Cushendall even ourselves could be in with a chance.As well i fancy St Kevins to do very well with the amount of talented players in their ranks!Any predictions for tonights games?