Messages

Can think of only one club that really doesn't bring in outsiders as managers that much, maybe 2.. Dunloy and Rossa, the Johnnies also rely on in house for the main, the rest, well if you ain't from those clubs then ya haven't much of a leg to stand on and throw shit..

Clubs will do what they feel right for them, so let them at it, internally these posts are advertised and the options are there for clubmen to take it on. If not the only other option is the committee take that role or the look outside..

 

That day we pay for senior managers in our club is the day ill stop giving my time for the club.

Ive been involved in teams for 14 years coming now in all 3 codes and all 3 senior teams at one stage along that. Not a single penny has ever been sought for doing this nor has anyone else (bar the S&C coaches) taken from managements.

If we start to pay the managers what about all the others then who give hours up each week like myself.

If we ever start that crap then ill be finished giving my time up for free. Mercenaries coming in for a year with no care for the club or what happens the next year.

Nah, pass.

Is Murtagh O'Brien now relegated to a mere 'S&C Coach' now?

Anyone taking a job outside their won club is in it for one thing only so I wouldn't get too wound up about his loyalty to Antrim or the GAA.

Somedays its like conversing to a 3 year old on here

And??

We're putting junior grade teams up div 1 teams.

Thats not glenullin's fault

How many teams in Derry div 1?

No, didn't say it was, but 10th best team in Antrim as where Glenullin, by your logic would have met Dunloy let's say as that's where they finished..

It's not a difficult concept to understand MR2

And??

We're putting junior grade teams up div 1 teams.

Thats not glenullin's fault

If ever there was a case for our county board getting real on division 1 and championship grading today was it.   That moneyglass result was an embarrassment to us all but its not their fault as our intermediate standard is other county's junior standard

Like the South Antrim board need to helping organising the schools

The answer still lies in reducing the number of clubs on the city (albeit people won't agree)

Remove the senior argument for one min
 that's a different story

Assume for one second this was to play out:

Two clubs amalgamate (just like the schools)
You have one less pitch
30 kids instead of 15
Two sets of coaches at the one session
More numbers
More fun
More quality across the levels (ie instead of having 3 outstanding players you'd have 6 and likewise instead of having 3 who are not as developed you'd have 6) 

If we think the amalgamation at schools beneficial to city games......

It's not the number of clubs in belfast its how the playing population is apportioned between the existing clubs.  South Antrim Gaa need to be doing more

It's hard not to despair at the lack of foresight regarding schools football.

It is not solely about the exposure to a higher standard of football at McCrory level which of course is part of the solution

It also critically about the exposure to a culture within the school among the staff and pupils.  These Grade A schools collectively value the competition and the status and pride it gives to them as players and alumni. From an early age they talk, live and breathe football and carry that on with them into adulthood.

A key aspect in a lot of cases there is usually a keen rivalry with another relatively local school which fuels competition further.

St Louis needs a St benedicts as a riva.  without that there is no edge. You can be poor without consequences.

In belfast Rathmore, st malachys, st marys and knock need to be taking swipes at each other.

It is a positive note antrim have taken to target 3 schools geographically but they need to at least double that.  Rivalry drives competition especially from Principals looking advantages and kudos

Amalgamations are the sounding bell of a problem. I have concerns about the future of clubs like ahoghill, armoy  and others.  More has to be done such as small sided leagues perhaps to keep these clubs going.

There is also a perception problem which is why a good PRO needs to be backed up and working in tandem with a development officer that is serious about driving up standards

The heart of football in Antrim is the SW but kids from there dont see the county team as their goal which is completely different from derry and tyrone.  More likely to see a kid from toome in a derry top than an Antrim one.

Change how the youth in Cargin, moneyglass, Creggan, whitehill, ballymena and portglenone see Antrim and the consistent work needed to play for it and you may unlock the first door to success

Would.agree with Tommy gun, its a narrow win or an absolute spanking.

Clubs with inferiority complexes dont win championships.  Dunloy wont be overawed and newbridge have defensive issues as well.  All to play for

we love a shortcut in antrim and casement redevelopment was always one

it has been so long i have nearly forgot the details but if Casement does get built, who will actually own or run it?

it sounds highly dubious it will solve antrim's problems with facilities if ulster run it as they will have different priorities and wont be letting it out for random minor matches.

In saying that i wouldn't trust Antrim GAA with the sole running of a large stadium. there appears to be large issues with many of the projects they turn their hand to.

are we down to the stage where the ringfenced money will only pay for a new stand? nothing else appears to be moving so if thats what we have then just go for it.  repair the concrete stands, fix the pitch and get the floodlights on.

the fact that we are using casement at all would be a huge poke in the eye to all the naysayers than them driving past it and laughing year on year at the state of it

That sounds more like hope than realism.  They all have good numbers at underage from the under 8s upwards.   

Ahoghill and Moneyglass are slowly merging into the one club with a mixture of footballers, hurlers, camogie players and lgfa players now all interwoven so cant see the camogie or lgfa numbers affected. Ahoghill dont have youth boy football teams so their numbers boost moneyglass.  Its the new Sean Stinsons model which will keep ahoghill senior football existing but at underage they'll be known as moneyglass.


 

Interesting to see how they get on with that myself.

I'm not sure of the numbers they have for any underage structures in the area but i hope its a success for them. I applaud their ambition at the club to make it work and build a future as well.

I wish other clubs would show that same ambition and look at hurling/football/camogie/ladies football in their clubs where its not present. Stick your traditions in the bin and see a bigger future for your club.

The old 'oh we dont play football here' stinks of fear and change.

I do appreciate where some structures at underage might be struggling you cant just introduce another code which could kill one completely off but it can be planned for - starting at fundamentals etc and working its way. You might just find that more people would bring their children along with more options.

Are the majority of clubs across the county not providing all 4 codes now?

Id definitely not say the majority. City clubs are quite good for it tbf. North Antrim only Glenravel/Ballymena/Naomh Eanna.

How do you get clubs playing hurling / clubs playing football in areas that have little to no interest in it?

I'm sure parents would send Little Sean down to whatever the underage sport is at their club but cant see them coaching it. 

Football struggles in the Glens and Hurling struggles in the SW. 

Outside development officers taking teams in these areas?

Its getting the coaches to take them and getting them to commit over a long period of time for a code that hasn't been popular in the area. 

Genuine question - Getting to that established stage is important so how does a club do it if they haven't that many people living locally who could coach underage with an interest?  Not sure joining other clubs in unofficial amalgamations is the answer either