Antrim Football Thread

Caesar · June 17, 2021, 04:01:33 PM

Gallagher was told he was surplus to requirements before the trials had even concluded. Very harsh on a player who served the county well and never let the side down. At the time it looked like a statement from the new management team.

McGinley seems to prefer attacking style defenders which is fair enough. Paddy would not fit this description. However, even Stevie Wonder can see we have no chance of staying in D3 next year unless we tighten up at the back next year. Not saying Paddy G is the solution but the problem does need addressed somehow.

bannside · June 17, 2021, 04:54:48 PM

It's important we can come on here and have a fairly sensible discussion about all things related to Antrim football without getting hysterical. A comment or two that we could tighten up defensively does not necessarily equate to what some may deem to be negative criticism. We all want the same result, an Antrim football team we can all get behind and support to the hilt.

Theres a range of people on here from experienced players and managers, officials, journalists poking for a story, newcomers to the county scene or ones just out of school joining over from Hoganstand. Theres barristers and bin lids.
No one has all the answers, it's all about opinions.

To change the subject, if you were picking the Antrim team who is the one player you would pick that's not on the panel? No unduly negative criticism please, that would be cheap considering the player cannot defend himself!

bannside · June 17, 2021, 04:57:28 PM

I'll kick this off myself. AND STILL the undefeated best ball winning forward in the county, the one and only Kevin Niblock.

Caesar · June 18, 2021, 08:48:01 AM

Fitzpatrick - quite possibly the best player in Antrim

bannside · June 19, 2021, 07:48:08 AM

Not too many would argue that point Caesar. There's a handful can think of would be equal in ability to those on the panel, and wouldn't be out of place there. But not too many jumping out at me that who are missing that would go straight into the team.

Theres a few hurlers who can play big ball at that level if they could give it the same dedication. Hypothetical I know. Keelan Coby Gerard Walsh Niall Mc Kenna Seann Elliott come to mind.

Paddy Mc Aleer an obvious exception if he returned from Dubai or wherever he is. Would fit into that team seamlessly imo.

Milltown Row2 · June 19, 2021, 09:00:42 AM

No Rossa lads BS?

bannside · June 19, 2021, 03:25:24 PM

100% yes. There's one mentioned above plus half a dozen others that wouldn't be out of place. SB, MA, and at least three from last year's under 20s. Crickey too. Plenty of quality players at Rossa. Plus of course Michael Byrne.

Rossa at full strength will take a fair bit of beating!

NatSoSaff · June 21, 2021, 09:58:47 AM

Well 2 players we have yet to see kick a ball competitively for Antrim this season yet are Pat Shivers & Mick McCann. Both would significantly improve the starting 15 going in against Armagh if fit, but from what I hear it will be too soon for both unfortunately!

bannside · June 21, 2021, 11:13:59 AM

Agree. Will be next year for the pair of them at this stage by the look of things.

Flanker · June 21, 2021, 11:30:16 AM

Colm Duffin Good work rate in middle 3rd, 3-4 years+ inter County S&C, chips in to keep score board ticking

Has a few years left in front of him and could get up to the level quickly

bannside · June 21, 2021, 05:11:27 PM

Never looked out of place at any stage in the three or four years he was a regular . Still in his prime. Good call Flanker.

ck · June 22, 2021, 11:13:01 PM

Does anyone have a full Antrim squad?

Dunsilly King · June 23, 2021, 12:10:27 AM

He never looked out of place, jez grow set. Not near it. Thank god none of you r taking the team with some of the names your throwing around. Fitzy and Mc Cormick. End of. Mick and big Pat I'm lead to believe are on the panel injured. IMO Fitzy is the best footballer in Antrim by a slight margin over the aging but peerless Mc Cann.

NatSoSaff · June 23, 2021, 09:24:46 AM

Hard to disagree DK. What are peoples thoughts going into the Armagh game then in terms of a starting 15? For me the problem areas for us will be at 3 and 6. I think these 2 areas are where we need to find diamonds in the rough or convert existing squad members longer term. I don't want to discredit the lads who have played in those positions to date in the league, but I think Armagh in an Ulster championship is a different animal to a division 4 match against a Waterford or Sligo. Could McKeever play 6 if McCann or Shivers come into midfield next season? Could Mick McCann dictate a game from centre half back perhaps? Would Paddy McBride suit it? I wouldn't mind seeing how any of those worked out if given the chance. But as for full back I'm not sure what the answer is. McAuley has worked well at corner back in my opinion, however for Armagh I wouldn't object to seeing him back at 6 with maybe McCormick in at corner back. There is still a rawness to him but pace and aggression he certainly does not lack and both will be required against a fit and powerful Armagh side.

asaffgael · June 23, 2021, 12:58:32 PM

Agree with you totally NSS especially with the two O'Neills lining up directly in them positions. Both physically strong and quick.

The whole Armagh forward line will be hard to match up with the pace they have but again they are a Div 1 team and that's what is out there. Up to our boys to match it.