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No luck for Cavendish today, jumpy gears look to have denied him #35. That could be his last chance as it just opened up for him perfectly today, but he looks in good form,  hope he gets it.

Same. Gutted for him there

Upwards of a third of the current starting team won't be there in 2025, so a significant rebuild really is in the post for Armagh. That's the project for the next management team.

I think honest discussion is required between all stakeholders over the next few months. If Grugan, Campbell, etc., decide on one last dance in 2024 then it makes the most sense to keep McGeeney in place. I don't think new management would have the time to turn the bus in a new direction before those lads start getting off - it'll take a while to move on from 9+ years of McGeeneyism.

But if those older boys decide they've had their fill, then it's as good a time as any to bite the bullet and see what someone else can do in the hotseat.

Were Armagh ever to ditch McGeeney, I think the time to do it was probably in and around 2020/21. That would have allowed different management with different ideas a good 3/4 seasons with the current group. We'll never know how that might have turned out - but for me, we're as likely to have bombed to Division 3 again as anything else. It's very difficult to separate out the effect of McGeeney from the credentials of the current panel. Few of those involved have played much county football under anyone else - for better or worse, McGeeney has been central to the development of all of them.

Derry will probably improve again next year, and so might Tyrone under new management, but if Armagh keep the band together they won't be far away from an Ulster title in 2024 - an AI is miles out of reach while either of Dublin or Kerry have their shit together.

The football under McGeeney this last year or so was mostly dreadful to watch, but it did leave Armagh competitive in every game against every opposition. They've lost one of the last 11 championship games within the regulation 70 minutes - and that one game was played with a numerical disadvantage for the most part. It's been 17 league games, all against Division 1 opposition, since Armagh lost by more than a single score. There's a very solid base there.

There are also some very talented players to return from long term injury, like Oisin O'Neill, Ciaron O'Hanlon and Tiernan Kelly. These are all big, powerful, mobile footballers - built for the way the game is played these days. Fit and flying versions of each would add enormous impetus to any challenge in 2024. A couple of tweaks in approach, maybe some more conviction when in winning positions, and the summit can be reached.

Of course, the last few paragraphs are an admittedly optimistic take on things - but Armagh's next steps probably depend on how much this sort of optimism resonates with the men from the class of 2009.

Aidan Nugent to come back too

A huge attacking loss this year

f**k anyone who was on the Tyrone supporters bus and launched a full tin of beer out of the bus from 5he inside lane towards us coming from behind in the overtaking lane at 70mph at about 930pm near the toll

Went under our car but when it was first in the air as we drove towards It I thought we were dead

Tyrone wife and fans in my car wanted the bus pulled over. Driver of small mini bus apologeticly waved and Tyrone fans were young and appeared full drunk or sleeping on their bus

So it wasn't all Armagh but f**k me, dangerous

What's the point of the likes of them being near a game

Wankers

Certainly been a great year and massive strides forward

We all single players out who should/shouldn't be getting game time etc i find it strange Eastwood has played very little championship football. Certainly on the smaller side but to me he's one of those players when on the ball you feel like something is happening

Agree, find it strange as he offers more from play than others

But a great year and I wouldn't question Andy too much!

3rd quarter killed us but we died with our boots on

Thanks to Andy and the team for the effort this year, massive positivity going into next year

He was excellent today

Does anyone else get the distinct feeling that some posters  will be all over this discussion thread like a bad rash the minute Antrim get beaten. A couple of good recent wins just dosent suit their agenda.

Andy came onboard when this squad was in absolute rags and is doing a very solid job about rebuilding it. Personally I couldn't give one toss what club a player is from, when he is honoured to be invited into the squad, puts in the sheer hard work, and takes pride in the jersey strongly enough to be a valuable member of the squad,  we should support them.

Yes it's a discussion board and all about opinions...but try and stay classy.

I've had a pop at plenty of management teams and will be consistent in that regard if and when our current set up goes stale/dressing room becomes lost, but in the interests of balance let's be able to give genuine credit when it is deserved.

And CB, please note that the vast majority on here don't give a fiddlers toss about how many medals people have. If they are along the line they will only be judged on results and even more important in any coaches book, performances.

Absolutely they are busting to,  dying to see Antrim lose to say i told you so.

To call a spade a spade Cargin were extremely lucky to get anything out of the Naomh Conall game last year. They just about stayed in it and then got lucky with the goal and won on pens. They were TURGID against Glen. No shot from play in 1st half, set up not to get hammered. You could argue "we only got beat by" but to any of us we know it may as well ha e been 30points, it was a non event

They've beat other teams in Antrim when the county is at a low ebb, that's it. Haven't made a mark in Ulster bar that penalty win last year. Cannot be compared in the same stratosphere as the St Galls team who went toe to toe with anyone and everyone.

I wish Cargin did win Ulster, i wish they improved our Countys standing, i wish they would throw off the shackles and have a real go in Ulster but fear age has caught up with their better players, the time for that was 5 or more years ago. Just because you win Antrim  when Antrim were at a low ebb does not guarantee all your players start for the County. Shivers can take a point but doesn't move....we  ALL need him to work on that to I prove our County's fare

Compared to the like of a Tomas McCann (who was an absolutely and utterly exceptional footballer for us and a certain starter) he doesn't compare. I'm disappointed he walked away but I appreciate he's young and it's balls not playing any football

The hyper sensitivity re the ex management is bizarre

Looking at a sun break in October/November midterm break.

Is the Canary Islands the only guaranteed sun destination? Algrave or Southern Spain an option but can be unlucky with weather. Don't want/expect roasting sun but would like heat/dry/warm weather.

Go to Marrakech in Morocco.  Thank me after

3 hour flight from Dublin, different culture, treated fantastically in their hotels (Riads) and weather incredible.  Can sunbath on top floor of 2 storey Riad and sightsee during the day

Camel riding,  hot air balloons and markets (souks)

It's 1st class. In from the sea so warm that time of year

Great comeback and win. McCann is some man for a goal. Class

Disappointed Shivers walked away. Hopefully he can work on pace and strength and fitness and come back better conditioned for it next year because his talent is obvious but he's still young

With that analysis it doesn't sound like your that disappointed 😂

I am.

I want Antrim to be successful and he is obviously one of our most talented players

He's still young and hopefully will fulfil his potential.  We are all on the same side here....he 100percent needs to work of his conditioning,  speed , sharpness and fitness and should be pushed by all to do so, for the good of the County

Great comeback and win. McCann is some man for a goal. Class

Disappointed Shivers walked away. Hopefully he can work on pace and strength and fitness and come back better conditioned for it next year because his talent is obvious but he's still young

Resigned

Yeah?

Liam Stewart passed away yesterday evening, a person with great vision who along with others brought about some golden era's within the club, chairman during the Ulster club winning team of the 80's through to bringing about the golden generation that went on to win the All Ireland.

As chairman of the club during the troubles we always had a safe place to be, running many summer clubs and trips up the north coast, I'm sure as kids we tested his patience to the full 

Was a recipient of the Presidents award I believe

Father of Karl Stewart who played with distinction for both club and county.

On a personal note he was Mr St Galls and will be missed by many from within and outside of the club

An absolute Gent

Did I hear he played in and won an Ulster Minor Football and Hurling title with Antrim in the same year

RIP

Pains me to say in-laws are  Tyrone... From a Junior Club who can't get out of Div 3, bottom of the Tyrone barrell

I've seen them play a load and they would be top half Div 1 in Antrim.
Full of Hogan Cup winners, pace and doggedness, boys with maybe limited sporting ability who are just hardy and brute ignorant and  wouldn't let a man go past them. We let men waltz up the middle  (look at Armagh senior game) and score in a way they never would accept

We might get the odd 'I'll knack yer ballix in" slabber hit a Judas,  cowardly dig from behind your back in an Antrim league game but about as hard as fcuk-all in comparison to the boys above, not worth a f**k

They have a depth in that County we could only dream of matching

The sport is the County's Culture, its who they are and their teams are how they pride themselves. We just don't have that.

Like nearly every non GAA playing girl in their county would nearly know who they are playing that weekend and not have a bad word said about their county......that level of passion filters down to each child and they all want to play for their county.

She's 2 cousins who started and won underage all irelands in last year who can't make full Tyrone Senior squad.....they would both start for and massively improve Antrim Seniors.

The levels are just night and day

Interviewing Henry Sheeflin and  fawning over and clapping his achievements won't change that, it might get us some money, which all Counties need to keep operating

Realistically Leitrim won't win an All Ireland in 10 or 20 years and neither will Carlow and neither will we. We can keep trying but our ceiling will never be that high. Unless schools all start competing in McCrory etc that won't change. Clubs too, demanding more of players,  coaches who know the sport and coach with a higher level in mind

Other Counties like Tyrone, now with Ballygawley, Donaghmore  and Carrickmore in McCrory are massively widening the gap

What way do the groups work? How many qualify from the groups?

Top 2 in each play in AI quarter final?

The goal was a FLUKE! Poor and insane  shot straight up the middle that flukley went through Morgans legs

Was absolute madness....But class at the same time

Everyone expected a handpassed point for a draw but The Monaghan no 14 was actually standing at the edge of the small square for an easy open net palmed in Ryan McHugh goal....O Toole had the blinkers on though, clearly never played BBall in his life....ask Stephen O Hanlon what he thought of that decision to shoot!

But here thankfully he did, incredible drama

Hope Monaghan kick on now

That free  given to level it for Tyrone for McCurry simply diving to collect the ball


Then playing on minutes over, refusing to blow the final whistle until Monaghan got the ball

Rank amateur shite