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Messages - Gael-in-exile

#1
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
October 05, 2025, 09:43:22 AM
Watched online and it seemed the extra man just gave St John's enough to get over the line. Fair play to them after so many close runs in recent years, especially against Cushendall.
Jerome & McIntosh did seem to think it was a questionable score that forced extra time but no footage to verify unfortunately.
I'm not sure what McManus got a red for but the commentators & viewers no doubt all thought it would be the end of Eoghan Campbells day for a reaction that was on camera. And the ref didn't seem to be in any way biased, in fact it was the linesman who reported McManus.
Overall St John's probably deserved it, if not for the performance yesterday but as reward for continuing close calls at this stage over 10years or so.
#2
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
October 03, 2025, 01:46:31 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on October 03, 2025, 12:32:44 PM
Quote from: Gael-in-exile on October 03, 2025, 12:05:06 PMI imagine at this stage it will be off and they are considering a suitable refix so it could all be announced at once.
Glenariffe have minor final next week but surely it could be refixed for Sunday or possibly next Friday evening. Just maybe a few logistics to sort.

Must be 5/6 minors on that senior panel.

I wasn't sure of the crossover but that's quite a few.
The traditionalist in me always liked the minor and senior finals on the same day and remember St Galls having a player double up around early 00's in a football final. I'm sure Cushendall maybe had similar in hurling once or twice.
However a Friday/Sunday would avoid that, and while I understand burnout calls etc somewhere there has to be a line drawn on how crossover between age groups is allowed to dictate fixtures.
Quick move though to fix for Wednesday which must suit both clubs is good to see.
#3
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
October 03, 2025, 12:05:06 PM
I imagine at this stage it will be off and they are considering a suitable refix so it could all be announced at once.
Glenariffe have minor final next week but surely it could be refixed for Sunday or possibly next Friday evening. Just maybe a few logistics to sort.
#4
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
October 01, 2025, 08:49:26 AM
I seen a review on how Dunloy managed player workload back in 2019. It was miles above anything else I seen and at that stage on a par with county teams, if not better.
I'm sure in the intervening years this has been maintained and likely improved. While the dual aspect adds pressure and some issues I'd say they are so well prepared that the momentum and feel good factor around the club due to the success of both teams will outweigh the dual pressure.

Don't forget this isn't like St John's or Rossa hoping to do well in one code where they are strong and trying to progress or maintain senior status in another. That's a different pressure altogether.
#5
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
September 29, 2025, 10:13:59 AM
Quote from: paddyjohn on September 29, 2025, 08:35:03 AM
Quote from: NorthAntrimSaff on September 28, 2025, 07:20:20 PM
Quote from: Jonkunlon on September 28, 2025, 09:51:05 AMArmoy were approached by CCC the day before Loughgiel became unavailable, to move the fixture away from the clash. They declined. They wanted to stick with the arrangements that were already posted on the county website. CCC then refixed to 6.30pm on the Saturday. Other venues were available on Saturday afternoon. CCC declined.

Thats interesting!

Very!
Quote from: paddyjohn on September 29, 2025, 08:35:03 AM
Quote from: NorthAntrimSaff on September 28, 2025, 07:20:20 PM
Quote from: Jonkunlon on September 28, 2025, 09:51:05 AMArmoy were approached by CCC the day before Loughgiel became unavailable, to move the fixture away from the clash. They declined. They wanted to stick with the arrangements that were already posted on the county website. CCC then refixed to 6.30pm on the Saturday. Other venues were available on Saturday afternoon. CCC declined.

Thats interesting!

Very!

Armoy well within their rights to try keep game at original time and split the Glenravel support, as many teams would do for their own benefit.
And the county are even relatively generous by speaking to Armoy first before the change.
But ultimately avoiding a club playing two county final fixtures at the same time is just common sense. And I don't think there can be any questioning of it.
#6
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
September 26, 2025, 08:39:49 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on September 26, 2025, 05:02:48 PM
Quote from: Gael-in-exile on September 26, 2025, 03:30:04 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on September 26, 2025, 03:19:48 PM
Quote from: Saffrongael on September 26, 2025, 12:15:00 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on September 26, 2025, 09:44:12 AMJunior final moved to Dunloy at 6.30pm next Saturday. Disgrace for both teams involved.

Where/when was it supposed to be ?

Loughiel at 1pm on the Saturday. Changed last night.

Surely 6:30 Saturday evening in Ballycastle is an improvement on the Saturday lunchtime slot?

Or Dunloy before the semi final?

I'd love to know why it's changed.

True although as we head into October double headers on pitches can be troublesome.
And some may think playing a final before the senior semi final may devalue it.
But the logic is very sensible. Maybe it could been played after an intermediate semi final on the Sunday?
#7
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
September 26, 2025, 03:30:04 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on September 26, 2025, 03:19:48 PM
Quote from: Saffrongael on September 26, 2025, 12:15:00 PM
Quote from: paddyjohn on September 26, 2025, 09:44:12 AMJunior final moved to Dunloy at 6.30pm next Saturday. Disgrace for both teams involved.

Where/when was it supposed to be ?

Loughiel at 1pm on the Saturday. Changed last night.

Surely 6:30 Saturday evening in Ballycastle is an improvement on the Saturday lunchtime slot?
#8
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
September 24, 2025, 09:50:41 AM
I think there's definitely (and most may agree) a good argument for getting more big club hurling games in Belfast, especially involving Belfast teams.
St John's are likely using the amount of games they've played at semi final stage in Dunloy or other NA venues as a good starting point for the consideration.

But unfortunately outside of Corrigan there are no venues that I think are suitable in Belfast. St Enda's get games but wouldn't be good enough in my view and for some reason Lamh Dhearg hasn't been used so I am assuming it is not under consideration.

The closest they could hope for would be Dunsilly or possibly a football venue in southwest.
#9
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
September 22, 2025, 11:15:34 AM
Quote from: podge on September 21, 2025, 09:03:05 PM
Quote from: SaffronSports on September 21, 2025, 05:50:36 PM
Quote from: podge on September 21, 2025, 02:14:35 PM
Quote from: SaffronSports on September 21, 2025, 01:45:34 PMI think it either needs to go to 8 or 12. This year it had 11 but that means 5 rounds of matches to get beyond the groups which equates to 2 months of groups when its every other week

I'm not talking about the size of groups.  Just talking about top 3 going through rather than just 2. Group winners go straight to semi and the other 4 play on 2 matches for the other semi final spots.  Same as senior and junior.

It's just adding one more round of games but makes many of the group games meaningful.

Aye but the reason only 2 go through at present is because it takes 7 rounds to complete while senior takes 6. Add in a preliminary qf or whatever and that takes it to 8 rounds which is basically a month longer than senior when you're taking dual clubs into consideration so you'd really have to change the whole format.

I'll say it again- it's one extra round of fixtures involving 4 teams. Not that hard to accommodate.

It's quite hard to accommodate when you go to the practicality and detail of it. The IHC started on 25th July. To add in an extra round you need to start it on 19/20th July. That was All Ireland final weekend.
Somebody out there will tell you starting championship on that weekend is ruining the spectators chances of attending the weekend. Others will tell you that you are not believing Antrim can get there. Each to their own I suppose.
The last league games in hurling were July 6th. Football approx 2nd July. But then football were to have relegation games also which I'm assuming were to be between Monday 7th July and Sunday 13th or close.

I get the impression that "it's just one extra round" but when you start to look at it across the whole calendar it's not that simple. Although I do agree IHC could be improved with introduction of QF.

However I do think the dead rubber games and teams failing to field are not good and while groups give multiple games for teams in championship they allow for possible problems. Especially with 5 & 6 teams where by game 3 some are possibly finished.
#10
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
September 19, 2025, 01:18:02 PM
Quote from: johnnycool on September 19, 2025, 11:46:53 AM
Quote from: NAG1 on September 19, 2025, 11:22:52 AM
Quote from: johnnycool on September 19, 2025, 11:21:15 AM
Quote from: NAG1 on September 19, 2025, 10:31:31 AM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on September 18, 2025, 07:24:03 PM
Quote from: NorthAntrimSaff on September 18, 2025, 12:06:31 PMSeen a report i think had said mcmanus, shivers and bennett had left
Left or asked to leave?

Looking in from the outside, little or no input from them or any of the back room team, so why would you hang around?

It's the Davy show.

And the last time he had any success of note he'd Paul Kinnerk by his side and that wasn't yesterday.



No coincidence

None whatsoever.  ;D

Kinnerk is a Limerick man living in Clare.

You could pick many holes in Davy's success. Kinnerk obviously involved in Clare All Ireland win being one.
Wexfords LSHC win in 19 seen 4 games played and they only beat Carlow. Three draws and one win. Then got by Kilkenny by a goal in the final.

So that year they played 7 championship games and won 2.
#11
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
September 18, 2025, 01:36:52 PM
Any word on the streams for this weekend?
#12
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
September 06, 2025, 11:20:49 AM
Quote from: Antrim on September 06, 2025, 06:52:30 AM
Quote from: Saffron71 on September 05, 2025, 08:04:48 AMThis behaviour from underage mentors seems to generally come from coaches who are in it to feed their own ego so in other words win at all costs.  If you're coaching at underage with a mindset like that you are more detrimental to the game on many levels. Underage should be about player development and trying to retain players whether that be in a playing capacity or other.  If you achieve success along the way then great but it should never be the absolute end goal.  The end goal should be how many are still involved in the club in x amount of years etc.  When coaches behave in a manner like mentioned above it is unacceptable.

Apologies, this is the post I meant to quote and agree with.

So you mustn't have seen what happened. I'll obviously not name names. One of the St Galls coaches approached one of the Dunloy coaches and made sure everyone heard him saying "Keep the hurling going up in Dunloy". There then followed a bit of chit-chat and then he let out a big 'yagh' laughing his head off.

That patronising statement of 'keep the hurling going up there' was something that was used towards all northern teams and always hurt to an extent, intended or not.
If it was said it was a low jab and the individual needs to have a look in the mirror to consider if that's how they really want to be and/or if it's appropriate behaviour.
#13
Antrim / Re: Antrim Football Thread
August 19, 2025, 02:22:43 PM
Maybe this will help for context on the officials job/role/decisions.

For clarity I refereed one game at u14 under pressure as a ref failed to show and the game would not have gone ahead. I made mistakes and was abused. Questionable career choice decision made, avoid at all costs.

A good few years ago when I was acting as an umpire at a hurling game for a club mate the following happened. Now note this was a reserve championship game - so while competitive should be noted was not county final or senior championship pressure.
A long free came in, as the ball dropped in and over the bar I followed it with my eyes (I assume that was the correct thing to do).
At the same time I heard a thud/crack/slap sort of noise. It's ten years ago so I'm not 100%.
The keeper lifts the ball to hit a quick puck out but as I notice a forward crouched over holding his head I make the assumption he's been injured.
I called the ref as he was unaware of the player injured (no remote technology then) and he stopped play to have the injured player looked at.
The medic and manager came over. At which point the manager gave me verbals along the lines of I seen the incident.

I laughed into myself as I thought well I didn't see it but I knew something took place and I have ensured your player is being looked at for injury.

Maybe that will help make sense for some of decisions made.
#14
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
August 07, 2025, 11:05:33 AM
It again brings up the issue of lack of infrastructure in Antrim.
I would argue this impacts on clubs developing their games also. If you play for Rossa, St Paul's or St John's you are limited to one pitch with no lights. They all make use of pitches elsewhere for training and games but it removes the community element to the club when a 12 year old may never play or train on the home ground. And if they aren't big club people that child may never visit the club home ground.

City clubs are hindered by space more that some in the country but across there is a distinct lack of facilities in comparison to other counties.
Do we have any pitches outside of PG & All Saints suitable for hurling under lights?

Is is something that the county need to have a real strategic look towards??
#15
Antrim / Re: Antrim Hurling
August 07, 2025, 10:10:20 AM
Glenarm is certainly closer to Glenravel but not by that much more to make it unfair.
My bigger concern would be the game at Gort Na Mona. The last I was there a number of years ago it was a field with one line for a 65. That's tight for a football game but can make a bit of a mockery of hurling at senior level.