Messages

Reasons for the change were stated as, the condensing of the national GAA calendar and players disdain for mid week fixtures so more games to be played on Sundays.

To me it shows a real disregard to Division 2 teams with county players as 3 national league fixtures will clash with Div 2 league games.

Its a directive from Croke Park, i'd imagine very little Antrim officials can do about it.

No, trying to implement for the incoming season.

Fixtures /CCC meeting last night with clubs proposal some major changes to league and championship structures.
1. Div 1 = SFC , DiV 2 = IFC   DiV 3 = JFC
relegation play offs for losing teams in championship
Losing club relegated.  League football  no bearing on outcome

And / or
Div 2 / 3 winners promoted
Runners up playoff with 2nd bottom team

Proposals to be discussed at next county committee meeting

My only thing being that i think the championship winner should get promotion so the following year they are playing a grade up. ie if you win JFC you also get promotion to Div 2, if its the same team that win the league then the next team down gets promotion also.

Agree with the promotion option summarised above, they operate a similar system in Tyrone, however the relegation via championship is nonsensical you could hypothetically lose all your league games, get a bye into the quarter final of the championship get beat there and still stay up.

1. Chris Kerr Criostoir Mac Giolla Cheara Naomh Gall

2 Peter Healy Peadar O hÉilidhe Naomh Eanna

3 Patrick Gallagher Padraig O Gallchoir Lann Abhaigh

4 Niall Delargy Niall O Duilearga Ruairí Mhic Asmáint

5 Kevin O Boyle (Capt) Caoimhin Ó Baoill Clann na hÉireann

6 Ricky Johnston Risteard Mac Seagháin Ciceam an Creagán

7 James Laverty Seamas Ó Labhraí Clann na hÉireann

8 Patrick McAleer Padraig Mac Giolla Uir Naomh Uile

9 Niall McKeever Niall Mac Iomhair Ruairi Mhic Asmaint

10 Mark Sweeney Marcas Mac Suibhne Naomh Jude

11 Conor Murray Conchúr Ó Muiri Lamh Dhearg

12 Ruairi McCann Ruairi Mac Cana Ciceam an Creagán

13 Ryan Murray Rian O Muiri Lamh Dhearg

14 Matthew Fitzpatrick Maitiú Mac Giolla Pádraig Naomh Eoin

15 Patrick McBride Padraig Mac Goilla Bhride Naomh Eoin

16 Andrew Hasson Aindriu O hOsain Ros Earcain

17 Stephen Beatty Stiofan Mac Biataigh Ui Donnabhain Rosa

18 Pat Branagan Padraig O Branagáin Achadh Galláin

19 Conor Burke Conchúr de Búrca Naomh Gall

20 Colum Duffin Coilm O Duifinn Naomh Eargnaid

21 Odhran Eastwood Odhran Mac Conurchoille Naomh Eanna

22 Kristian Healy Kristan O hÉilidhe Naomh Eanna

23 Connell Lemon Conal Mac Laghmainn Naomh Uile

24 Declan Lynch Deaglan Loingsign Lamh Dhearg

25 Michael McCarry Micheal Mac Fhearaigh Naomh Uile

26 Eunan Walsh Ádhamhnán Breathnach Achadh Galláin

Thoughts?

Looks pretty close to the personnel used during the league, id imagine they will line up slightly differently to whats named though. Sweeney at CHB no doubt and Paddy McBride HF would be surprised Ricky the most likely candidate to pick up Harrison in that line up.

Good options off the bench as well.

I think Antrim have a real good chance of winning Down not going well in the league and Newry certainly not the most intimidating place to go.

was at our game yday v st bridget's and it was horrible to watch. its most def at times like this you have to wonder who plans the games for clubs and what their logic is. They played a North Antrim hurling match v Carey on Saturday, the football on Sunday and then tonight they have the reserve hurling championship. thats 3 games in 3 days for some of them.

It made ydays game a farce and a waste of time for st bridget's travelling down from Belfast. Its deeply frustrating for any management to be put in the position where your asking fellas to play 3 days in a row.

Why was the football match not played on Friday night with the other fixtures? Agreed that it is too much to ask any player to complete that sort of schedule but apparently burn out is only applicable to underage players.

I'd imagine Cassidy's remit with Cargin is to regain the Championship rather than win another league title, so whilst there might be a few eyebrows raised at the results I don't think there will be any mass panic in Toome just yet.

Yea heard that rumour Two Hands. Thanks. Don't think Cavan are that happy about the 4G, and would prefer to host it in a
bog of their own.

Think i'm right in saying that Cavan played their match on the 4G at Breffni on Wednesday night so shouldn't have much room for complaint.

Jesus lads what have Antrim been doing since the new manager took over?
The conditioning coach needs sacked straight away looking at those pictures on that saffron site
Quite embarrassing for a county team

The conditioning coach can only do so much, from what i'm hearing the collective conditioning work is very professional and tailored to suit the needs of modern day Gaelic football. However the coach cant control the diet of players or ensure they are completing personal sessions outside of training time, also in Tyrone and the likes these processes are happening from development squad level up with the expertise of Peter Donnelly etc working with squads on their conditioning and education around the subject. Antrim are now trying to get in line in this regard so hopefully we will see the benefits over the next few years. The levels of conditioning of a modern day county footballer isnt an overnight turnaround unfortunately.

If the clip posted by @indosport is what caused this whole fuss....well what a joke. I swear it's nothing more than u see at any game at any level. A disgraceful waste of everyone's time and effort.

FFS sake gotta agree BB......saw the Indo clip as well....and those 'unpaid volunteers' in Croke whe decided on  penalty for that please take a bow.
Seen far worse in an under-8 game and in the words of J Brolly the whole thing was complete bollox.

Great news that Matt Fitzpatrick is cleared to play as we will need all our best available out to challenge Donegal, however I would disagree with your summaries of the clip he strikes out at the Armagh player, the amount of contact is irrelevant as the rule states striking or attempting to strike, for which he was handed a 1 match ban the penalty that was retrospectively handed down as you well know was not for the original incident.

However the important thing is the player is now available and Antrim go in as strong as they possible can. Will be a tough day at the office and a chance for a few of the younger lads to put their hand up for the future.

No real shocks in yesterdays round of games, maybe only Moneyglass beating Glenavy in Div 2 and Sarsfields beating Glenravel in Div 3. Both away wins

Glenavy missing quite a few regulars yesterday but 6 up at half time, very much a game of two halves.

Watched Cargin on Wednesday night whilst the opposition not at their level they looked very impressive.

#2 was Pat Brannigan from Aghagallon and he did indeed have a good game, I was disappointed in Ruairi Scott thought he was well below the standards we have seen from him before, not a criticism just think on the night he was poor.

Thoroughly enjoyed the game last night and while some great performances and serious talent on show I came away somewhat disappointed that we didn't get something out of the game.

Some great individual and team scores but Monaghan scored with worrying ease at times, and when they pushed a man up in the second half we looked slightly devoid of ideas in terms of getting the ball from kickouts and building attacks. All in all though positive that there certainly is a raft of talent coming through.

I see the Under 21's are in action on Wednesday night against Monaghan in the DUB.

There hasn't been much noise about our U21's this year does anybody have any insight into our chances of what sort of a squad has been assembled?

Would tend to agree with Bannsides sentiments, whilst the coaching they are receiving in the Derry schools is helping the good work done in the clubs is where those boys got a solid grounding.

Also an Antrim man who is at the helm of the St Marys MacRory coaching panel.