Messages

Luis Diaz. Really, I've never seen the lad so he could be anything. That he's Colombian is a black mark, for they've an appalling record in the PL (though someone must eventually break that duck).

What I suppose I'm getting at is that anyone getting excited about Diaz has probably not seen him play but has seen the transfer fee and made assumptions.

I am glad Jurgen doesn't log in here for transfer market advice or otherwise he might have had some wise guy telling him Salah was a waste of time because no Egyptian has ever made in the PL....    Brazilians didn't exactly have a stand out impact on the PL until recent years either. 

Maybe he's better just sticking to his own method of judging it on ability and character rather than birthplace

[6 starters yesterday were U18]

U20 team was physically pushed about by the more mature Donegal team. 6 starters yesterday were U18 so a bit on the light side yet for senior hurling. Donegal the better team on a wet Dunsilly pitch.

Remember this is not U20 v U20

This.

A county the size of Antrim really shouldn't be playing lads with three years left this level. Where's all the U19's and U20's that have went through the various development squads?

FWIW Donegal are a handy team full of good big hurlers so playing Antrim U20's in the middle of January on a heavy pitch and beating them isn't a surprise and if anything Antrim U20's could be better off for it.

Same thought struck me. Some of these guys are way too light for this. In fairness it may be that a lot of the u20s are elsewhere due to combination of the antrim senior squad being light (don't think any of the Dunloy lads started yesterday) and perhaps others playing for UU or QUB.  It may also be general apathy towards this age group.

I thinks its pretty poor that our county hurling champions at various levels have been sitting for what must be close to 6 weeks waiting on the first round of Ulster to be played. I assume they have found it difficult to get friendlies. Having said that I am sure these clubs are delighted to have this winter distraction.  Good luck to them all.

Good captaincy from Sexton all day although a couple of missed conversions nearly came back to haunt. Strange decision from whitelock to
take 3 points with 8mins when they were 6 down and had us on the rack.

Would this leave the result open to an appeal? That would be messy.

Club secretaries were told of the finish on the day protocols on 10th Aug ! So I dont that there would be any grounds to appeal it !

If the finish on the day protocols stated extra time and penalties and that protocol wasn't followed then I would have thought very obvious grounds

And yet, in both competitions, the best 4 teams are left in each. Glenariffe the one club that could feel aggrieved. Carey gained an advantage in knowing what they had to do to qualify and further, Gort had no motivation but pride, in which they showed none.

If we had a strong proactive county board it would not have come to this in the Intermediate championship.

I don't see the issue in the group stages to be honest. I do think it was odd that the senior championship 6 went through (2 to semi and 4 to quarter ) whereas in intermediate, historically the most competitive, only 4 went through

Wasn't against the rules when I was looking after these teams, so you're wrong on that part. I've also said that we have a current amalgamation at my own club, these are my views, I still believe you can make the numbers with hard work.

Nothing lazy about the effort I put in, at the time I made it work, the rules were different granted but the talent pool at proper age level was about 7/8 lads next grade down 5/6 lads and a couple of munchkins...

No one got hurt no one was being over worked the kids enjoyed it, the age rule has certainly brought on more amalgamations since it was introduced.

Was Sean Stinsons a needed amalgamation? Using them as a successful team that produced successive minor teams.. they looked to have plenty subs

I certainly didn't suggest your effort was 'lazy'. But to imply all amalgamations are the easy option is just way off the mark. Some may well be, but I know for many small rural clubs it's the only way to survive.  And I would the percentage  participation levels in some of those small rural parishes is a lot higher than in many of clubs fielding on their own.

It is great to see another club wanting to grow, but is there not a wider question needing to be asked when we are seeing more and more clubs amalgamating up through the ages groups. Clubs that would be considered to be well established clubs and cant even get 15 of their own kids out to field a team?

does this not exacerbate this specific situation even further?

The work is just not being done at underage to keep young people interested. Based on the Belfast population alone there should be far more clubs, not less.

Then why are there so many amalgamated clubs at underage level?

I honestly think its easier to amalgamate than put the effort in and find the kids to be involved. If you have 12 kids and 12 kids from another club sure that's a team ready made with two coaches from each club at the ready. 

Now I'm saying that and we have a team mixed with another at juvenile hurling, and great hurling lads looking after it, I can go back a few years and I remember looking after our underage, Id at least three age groups for under 12, I'd lads at 9 10 and 11 all looking to get on, I was doing this by myself, running tournaments and heading to tournaments, the thought never entered my head about joining up with someone else, so I just ploughed on with that crowd, produced 4 or 5 seniors from that set up, one who have went on and played in Croke Park for the club in a hurling final and the other 4/5 have played in a county hurling final.

People look for success quicker, stick and develop what you have, you can't compete every year, the bigger picture is enjoyment 

It is great to see another club wanting to grow, but is there not a wider question needing to be asked when we are seeing more and more clubs amalgamating up through the ages groups. Clubs that would be considered to be well established clubs and cant even get 15 of their own kids out to field a team?

does this not exacerbate this specific situation even further?

The work is just not being done at underage to keep young people interested. Based on the Belfast population alone there should be far more clubs, not less.

Then why are there so many amalgamated clubs at underage level?

I honestly think its easier to amalgamate than put the effort in and find the kids to be involved. If you have 12 kids and 12 kids from another club sure that's a team ready made with two coaches from each club at the ready. 

Now I'm saying that and we have a team mixed with another at juvenile hurling, and great hurling lads looking after it, I can go back a few years and I remember looking after our underage, Id at least three age groups for under 12, I'd lads at 9 10 and 11 all looking to get on, I was doing this by myself, running tournaments and heading to tournaments, the thought never entered my head about joining up with someone else, so I just ploughed on with that crowd, produced 4 or 5 seniors from that set up, one who have went on and played in Croke Park for the club in a hurling final and the other 4/5 have played in a county hurling final.

People look for success quicker, stick and develop what you have, you can't compete every year, the bigger picture is enjoyment 

Extremely lazy analysis to imply that all amalgamations are people / clubs taking the easy option and shows an ignorance of the very real and genuine numbers in many small parishes and clubs.  There are amalgamations that most certainly are not the easy option, there are the only option.

Definitely not gaelfast, as much as I would love to say it was. We are actually reaping the rewards of a freakish St Louis winning team. Also, I find it very difficult to work out what gaelfast is? What is actually different or is it just more of the same? I was hoping there would be some really eye catching programmes to set the county alight but it just looks like pe in schools. An insider source said the scheme is on its knees. 4 members of staff are gone. 3 managers and employing another manager, more chiefs than Indians. But sure, what do I know.

Looking in here from Derry Belfast looks like a hurling idyll. Games at all ages all the time ,fantastic facilities, great schools links, massive numbers.

We have a waiting list of 5 primary schools waiting for someone to come in but the days of some lad dandering in fir after-school program doesn't work .
Full-time coaches getting proper wages is what is needed to make proper impact. It is full-time job if done correctly

I agree with you entirely. But I am not at all convinced this is as widespread in antrim as you think it is. In fact I have seen no discernible difference arising from Gaelfast. Happy to stand corrected.

https://punditarena.com/gaa/conor-mckenna/gaa-hurling-power-rankings/?fbclid=IwAR1xOPot8YKc_Uxhjc4OsZnnrKbm4XFbE2XQIBG4EAHIq03PP6RsFz2WybU

Lazy analysis if they think Antrim's relative  success is anything to do with money ploughed in from Croke Park (although in fairness they don't explicitly say that).

Has money really put in and what is it being spent on?

Where's the team? Are all 35 from the squad being held back from club games ?

I see your man Ellis Genge has not been cited for the elbowing of Sexton when he was on the ground. I know I am looking through green tinted glasses but how does Aki walk away with a 4 match ban for a genuine tackle attempt versus this Genge chap getting away with it.

Happy enough with the point. Started well,if they had been  a bit more clinical could of scored a few.
City came back into it and missed a few of their own so I think a draw was a fair result.

Good enough result all things considered .  Thought Jota was poor, second half in particular, and Matips distribution is pretty poor. Henderson plays a big role
In games like today IMO. 

On another matter, I was surprised more was not made of the city guy who blocked a shot with his arm- the ways things are that could have been given as a pen but VAR didnt seem to lol it ?

The point McBrien scored for Rossa in the championship against Dunloy was as good as you would see anywhere. Hoping he comes on too. He is very young.

I keep reading we were missing 5 on sunday but was it not quite a few more? McNaughton, Cunning, Elliot, Nugent, Bradley then at least one Johnston? (Are there one or two on the panel?) Then there's McManus as well.

Yeah that half back line looks good. Mollloy I thought was arguably Dunloy's best performer so for him not to be on I thought the others must be good.

Elliot?

Great performances and results over last few weeks, credit where it's due. Here's hoping feet are firmly on the ground and they back it up next day out which will be a tough encounter away from home.  Are the covid cases allowed back for the weekend ?

Johnny McIntosh was absolutley fantastic!

All about opinions but im stunned that anyone could think otherwise

His enthusiam and craic was 1st class and added to the games...plus he was very clear about the score and reminding the viewers the score which is so necessary when you dont have a score graphic and was lacking in the other games ive seen.

He said a few names wrong bht was honestly the best and most enjoyable commentary ive heard in a long long time

What a service....hope it continues after covid. 4.5k homes watching...incredible

Couldn't agree more, I found the whole thing v refreshing and watchable and credit to everyone behind it. I would go so far as to say I found Johnny easier to listen to than his former club colleague of BBC fame who seems to try to be like Seamus Heaney in every sentence he comes out with.