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County footballers away to Louth this weekend in the qualifiers. Probably a 50/50 game. Hopefully they can follow the hurlers example last weekend and get a good win.

Tyrone are one of the very best conditioned teams in the country. Their preparation is on another level. We are simply not in a position to match them at this stage.

I also think nerves played a big part on our own fitness levels. A lot of our players looked nervous and probably had heavy legs. They looked off the pace by their own standards in the first half, never mind Tyrone's standards.

Fair play to them for persevering and playing with a bit of pride in the second half when it would have been easy to capitulate completely.

In Colm Coopers book he has a chapter where he talks about his admiration for players in the weaker counties. Its easy for players in Tyrone and Kerry to be highly motivated and giving a massive commitment when they are seen as heroes in their community, have big financial backing and a realistic chance of reaching the latter stages of the All Ireland and playing in front of 40,000 people.

In Antrim we have players putting in the same hours every week, making the same commitment and getting no thanks or respect from anyone. Playing in front of just 30 people at Corrigan Park. Some of them probably getting bad manners for choosing to commit to county instead of just their own club. Its hard to find a good reason why any of them would want to be there, but they are. 

Lets keep that in mind if they are hammered by Tyrone and are being ridiculed in the media and throughout the country.

Rossa would be a decent division one side when they have all their players available. The last couple of years must have been very frustrating for them.

Wouldn't read too much into the Casements win as St Endas were missing half the team.

St Teresa's getting hammered by Gort Na Mona doesn't bode well for them. Still very early days but that could be a big two points come the end off the season.

Time may also be up for Clooney Gaels. They have narrowly avoided relegation for a few years now, and with a focus on hurling and very little coming through the underage ranks, it appears only a matter of time before they make the drop.

Fair play to both Gort Na Mona and St Brigids who picked up impressive wins on the opening day.

PJoe hit the nail on the head. The sad reality is that there are whole generations of Antrim GAA supporters who have had very little to cheer about or get behind. It is not popular or appealing to be an Antrim supporter anymore and can you blame them? This is the biggest problem that needs addressed to put a bit of life back into the county, and it will benefit hugely on and off the pitch.

Imagine having a county team players were dying to play for, or that big sponsors were keen to be associated with.

I would expect St. Endas and St. Brigids to be well prepared for the start of the season, and probably get a few good results early, but I'd be surprised if either finish the season in the top 6. Aghagallon were unlucky to miss out last year and probably wont be far away again. Portglenone have a strong up and coming young team and I would expect them to make the top 6 again. On their day they could beat anyone but it seems they struggle for consistency. They were poor in the championship last year so will be interesting to see if they can kick on this year

Anyone know when the league and championship fixtures are announced?

Oisin Lennehan is also on the panel but is currently out with an ankle injury

Fair play to the county lads who have made themselves available but the truth is most of them would not be playing for most other county teams. That's the reality of where we are. I feel sorry for the management who can only work with what they've got. Until we change the mindset throughout the county so that all club players want to play for the county team, we are not going to improve.

If the county were to break the bank and bring in a big name manager for a year or two, would that help? The right person might be able to get better commitment from a few of the missing players which in turn would make it a more attractive prospect for the rest of the players to commit to.

Having said that I would question the amount of genuine county quality players there are in the county who have not committed. There's not as many as some people like to believe.

In reply to the above post, I heard Donnelly was very popular with the Pg1 players and they wanted him back. They have a good young squad and there is no doubt they made a lot of progress under him.

Yes Barry Dillon has been appointed Portglenone manager

Sean Stinsons no longer exists

Anyone know what happened during the Lamh Dhearg vs Creggan game?

The County Board investigated the Portglenone Vs St Johns incident thoroughly. A good few people were called to interviews at Dunsilly to give their account, including both players and spectators. In the end I believe Portglenone received 2 suspensions and St Johns received 1. Reading the comments on here, there seems to be a lot of people happy to hype up the situation for some reason?