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Agree with above, this is a big position and there won't be many with both essential and desired criteria. It's Croke Park led (not Antrim) so hopefully the net extends as far as it needs to go to get the right person. This is a huge appointment, and whoever gets it needs a lot of support.

Some information about the roles and responsibilities....

GAA Operations Manager Antrim GAA Cumann Lúthchleas Gael (GAA) is Ireland's premier sporting and cultural organization, with over 500,000 active participants and a large base of non-playing members. Celebrating its amateur status, the GAA is driven by the voluntary efforts of its members, dedicating all resources to the growth of Gaelic Games and Culture both nationally and within local communities. Role Profile Cumann Lúthchleas Gael is now seeking applications from suitably qualified persons for the role of Operations Manager, Antrim GAA. The successful candidate will be responsible for working with the county Executive to develop the vision and strategies of the GAA within the county and for implementing short and long-term plans to achieve the Association's goals. The role holder will provide direction and leadership to the management and staff and oversee the effective development of Antrim GAA. Location: Antrim GAA County Offices Reporting to: The Office of the Ard Stiúrthóir. The role holder shall report directly to the Ard Stiúrthóir, or alternatively to a manager designated by him/her. The role holder will have a secondary reporting relationship to the Chairperson of the County Committee. Primary Responsibilities General • Ensure appropriate management and supervision of all full and part‐time personnel and ensure adherence to best practice employment guidelines. Oversee HR functions to support the management and the supervision of full and part-time personnel. • Assist the County Management with the implementation of Antrim GAA's 5 year Strategic Plan, including the production of an annual operations plan and a framework to enable officers to operate as an effective team. • Assist the designated County Officer(s) with fixtures planning of all codes to ensure a meaningful and balanced programme of games is provided for all players. Oversight of the operation of the Competition Management System. • Assist the Head of Games with the implementation of the County Games Development Plan. • Service intercounty teams in conjunction with appointed liaison officers. • Ensure the application of information technology and improved systems of communication to advance the work of the County Management. Financial Management • Management of all financial and funding services which must meet best practice guidelines in terms of governance and accountability, in collaboration with the County Treasurer. • Develop and manage annual budgets in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders. • Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and cash flow management. • Monitor financial performance against budget and provide recommendations for improvement as necessary. • Financial administration of county grounds and of the Inter County Player Injury Scheme. • Work in conjunction with Facilities Manager to allocate an annual maintenance budget and ensure bookings are communicated clearly. • Responsibility for financing of Capital Development works in conjunction with the Management Committee. • Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and standards. Commercial Development • Development and implementation of marketing strategies to develop Antrim GAA commercially. • Lead the identification and development of the commercial opportunities (to include fundraising) on behalf of Antrim GAA through marketing initiatives and by building and maintaining relationships and partnerships with external parties and businesses in support of the strategic goals of Antrim GAA. • Seek and secure additional revenue through funding opportunities in conjunction with the County Treasurer. Stakeholder Engagement • Provide the necessary leadership, management, decision‐making and organisational skills to enhance the operation of the Management Committee in the day to day running of Antrim GAA. • Ensure that GAA policy is implemented within Antrim GAA and that all approved policy matters are applied and communicated to relevant stakeholders. • Act as a conduit between Management and sub‐committees by maintaining key lines of communications and building relationships with key local stakeholders and other agencies including sponsors and partners so as to lead a successful county over a sustained period. • Establish strong communications with Ard Comhairle and associated County, Provincial and National bodies. • Establish, build and maintain key lines of communication with Clubs, Schools and relevant Community groups, to ensure the effective promotion of the Gaelic Games through Club, Schools and Community links. Other • Make appropriate arrangements for the County Board Meetings in conjunction with the County Secretary. • Make appropriate arrangements for County Convention and produce the annual report. • Undertake any other such projects or responsibilities as deemed appropriate and reasonably delegated by the County Chairperson/Management Committee or Ard Stiúrthóir from time to time. Essential Criteria • Minimum 5 years' experience working in a management role. • At least 3‐5 years' experience of working in the GAA or similar sporting organisation (voluntary or professional capacity). • A relevant third level qualification (minimum level 7). • Exceptional leadership and organisational skills with the ability to foster and implement effective change. • Proven experience in being able to establish and deliver a strategic plan that will generate outstanding results. • Proficiency to develop and implement progressive marketing and commercial strategies. • Strong people management skills with the ability to build and maintain strong business and team relationships and manage conflict. • Experience of effective financial planning, management and reporting with previous experience of ensuring close adherence to financial and legal governance requirements.  • Excellent administrative and IT skills. • Excellent communication/presentation and interpersonal skills. • Ability to work in high‐pressure situations, and a flexibility to work out of office hours and some weekends. • The role holder must have access to a form of transport which will enable them to fulfil their responsibilities in full. Desirable Criteria • An in‐depth knowledge of the GAA and its structures with a strong interest and understanding of Antrim GAA. • Knowledge and experience of developing, coaching strategies and tools. How to Apply If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please apply at jobapplications@gaa.ie Applications must be submitted before 3pm on Friday, 6th June 2025. The GAA is an equal opportunities employer.

There you go everyone. Your big chance to right all our problems!

On a serious note this is a big position, hopefully we will get the right person to fill it.

Click the link below....


https://ulster.gaa.ie/council/jobs/

https://www.irishnews.com/gaa/gaelic-football/kevin-madden-antrim-gaa-has-heard-enough-empty-promises-QIZTRWN3LFAVTEIDIRKUNOATWA/

Enjoyed this earlier today from Kevin Madden.

For us to progress to the Prelim QF, we must be one of the 3 best 3rd placed teams as NY come in and only 3/4 3rd placed qualify.

Realistically the only other group we are competing with in terms of 3rd place is Group 1 and its solely to do with scoring difference.
In Group 1 Leitrim play Tipp both on 0 points.
Tipp -19
Antrim -24
Leitrim -29

Regardless we need to win but if we do...
Scenarios:
1. Leitrim v Tipp is a draw we progress
2. Leitrim win but not by 5 points more than Antrim's winning margin
3. Tipp win but Antrim win by 6 points more than Tipps winning margin.

Agree, you need a good mix of youth and experience.

Lets get fully behind management and players for Sundays clash with London, and wherever that takes us, and after that we will have plenty of time to debate the pros and cons of who should be doing what next year.

Ps, agree 100% All Star, Kobo still a class act, 100% up there still with the best natural man marking corner backs in the county. Corner back a very specialised position. I feel Kavan and Eoghan could be seen to better advantage in the middle third, breaking lines at pace.

Lol. Some great points raised here for sure.

Regarding Mick McCann, no doubt he could impact a senior county contest right now, adding composure and nous to the mix, as well as leadership, craft etc. A one off. Would he be on my county panel right now? Yes. Is any player in Antrim right now likely to get the better of him. Most unlikely.

But leave him where he is at the moment, please.....lol.

Regarding his duel with the current county captain. Both were carrying bad quad injuries into county final, and the way I saw it both were restricted. Two good players, I'll leave it at that.

Regarding forwards, it's my view we are struggling to produce consistently good forwards and it's a long time since we had a proper marquee forward.

James OC and Eamon Fyfe (he was superb last night) are two, and we've had a lot worse in Saffron up front than Seamus McGarry. Kevin Small allegedly back to his best (that would be up there with the best in the county in my book) and I love a really pacy player in the middle third, which would bring in a SON, Paddy Ferris and for what it's worth, I'd bring Eunan out of full back, as he is up with Paddy McBride when it comes to orange flags. We need pace in middle third and scoring forwards on the end of moves, and we have a quality panel.

Ps, Peter Healy a proper loss too this year. A superb player who turned our 9 point half time deficit to Fermanagh almost single handedly!

Is there a pacier player then Eoin McKeown in Ulster? And Matt Fitz too, another huge loss to the cause.

That's only my opinion, its Andys that counts.

Hard to see how this recent pattern of poor performances can be reversed, and no matter whether you're a supporter or a member of the playing or management panel, it's hard to see anything except being an early casualty in the Tailteean Cup, on the back of a disappointing league campaign.

London will treat the final group game as if it's their all Ireland final, so we need to be on our toes just to avoid the unthinkable!

Saturday 24th May in Pearse Ogs Armagh, at 12midday probably.

Your sources are good EOC, I'll give you that. Paddy Power has Cargin as a venue at odds on atm lol...

For sure it's not for everyone Nag. But most of the counties taking it seriously will have a fair smattering of big names, including All Stars, and they are keen at 40 plus to still test themselves against their peers.

Antrim play Tyrone (all ireland winners 3 years in a row) at the end of July, at home...come along and see that for a bit of non contact nonsense!

All teams just try and be the best they can in respective grades age group or sector.

Hopefully the Masters team can give us something to look forward to, if nothing else the sight of many of the counties finest ever back out in a county jersey is still something to cherish. And winning too is always good, no matter what team it is.

I'd say yesterday was a long drive up the road for the players, lucky enough for Andy he got home a lot earlier. The performance was actually OK in parts, and we were hanging in for a long time, but the last 20 minutes was very poor.

The management arnt asking players to kick five or six short, that is on the players, they should be better than that.

Mick B left in a soft one that sucked whatever little energy was left in the legs, and Westmeath didn't look the gift horse in the mouth.

Unfortunately we have a dire shortage of marquee forwards, everywhere in the county...well except at Masters level where Paddy Cunningham ran riot at the weekend.

Can't put this all at management...the performance against Limerick will be the acid test of whether or the players desire (and maybe management too) is there to expand the season or get out of dodge.

Didn't get to our minor championship match last week against Monaghan. Disappointing to get beaten, but a bit of solace intact having touted young Odhran Doherty as a good one a year or two back. Odhran scored 13 points, no mean feat, and for sure one for a long future in Saffron.

Fair play Champ, two marathons in a week. That's some achievement 👏