Antrim Football Thread

[SaffronSports]

Why would it not go ahead? Surely we'll play the match, possibly our last of the season depending on if we're in the Tailteann Cup or not.

[AntrimRealist]

I've banged on this drum for years and clubs won't give up their own identity so they will cling on and put out mediocre teams and expect to be better without doing the work

Too many teams in Belfast for the actual numbers that play, and too many other things to get on with, I could name 4 or 5 soccer teams in West Belfast when I was young and it was mostly made up of lads that all played GAA first and turned up at soccer as their second choice, been big changes since those days.

Losing kids to other sports is a GAA problem and that'd down to those formative years when making an impression on them is key. We've lost a right few (at my club) to soccer clubs in England as apprentices, they may make and may not, but fair play if they do.

I'd be happy if clubs keep their identity, but, they either need to amalgamate at juvenile level or at senior level, either way a club can keep its identity/history but if we want quality coaching across the board then we can't be relying on Paddy who's kid plays corner back at under 14 taking the teams cause no one else could be bothered..

Anyone here actually take any teams in their club will know its not easy at any level, the commitment is needed for both games and training sessions but if the numbers are low and spread thin as they are then, kids/parents/coaches all lose interest and Paddy is looking to get his kid into another club..

This is a talking shop with all teh right things at times being said, but too few are actually putting their shoulder to the wheel

And to help matters, we get 3 line whips from Croke Park about non-competitive games until under 14. Losing kids to other sports was an issue before that came in but it certainly won't help turns things around.

[Upandover]

I've banged on this drum for years and clubs won't give up their own identity so they will cling on and put out mediocre teams and expect to be better without doing the work

Too many teams in Belfast for the actual numbers that play, and too many other things to get on with, I could name 4 or 5 soccer teams in West Belfast when I was young and it was mostly made up of lads that all played GAA first and turned up at soccer as their second choice, been big changes since those days.

Losing kids to other sports is a GAA problem and that'd down to those formative years when making an impression on them is key. We've lost a right few (at my club) to soccer clubs in England as apprentices, they may make and may not, but fair play if they do.

I'd be happy if clubs keep their identity, but, they either need to amalgamate at juvenile level or at senior level, either way a club can keep its identity/history but if we want quality coaching across the board then we can't be relying on Paddy who's kid plays corner back at under 14 taking the teams cause no one else could be bothered..

Anyone here actually take any teams in their club will know its not easy at any level, the commitment is needed for both games and training sessions but if the numbers are low and spread thin as they are then, kids/parents/coaches all lose interest and Paddy is looking to get his kid into another club..

This is a talking shop with all teh right things at times being said, but too few are actually putting their shoulder to the wheel

And to help matters, we get 3 line whips from Croke Park about non-competitive games until under 14. Losing kids to other sports was an issue before that came in but it certainly won't help turns things around.

100%, another thing turning kids away!

Kids need to learn what its like to win and lose before they are 13/14 years of age!

Every other sport they are dealing with wins and losses, competing for medals and trophies well before this age.

[Gael-in-exile]

Are there too many clubs in Belfast? Or could it be argued that there is not enough games for the kids to play?

I have no idea on soccer club numbers but would be interested to know how many there are between Lagmore and Divis.
And then how many in north Belfast.?

I think that over time clubs have played games and because in GAA in general there is a big focus on winning all games that the same players become subs all too often.
It is they who are the first to drift away.
We also have subs who watch players from years below them play ahead of them, again another kick in the teeth for a 13 year old who may walk away.

I don't believe games should be deemed challenge games but if a club has for example 12 U14s, 8 U13s and 3 U12s then surely the U14s should be prioritised.
The U13s and U12s could be joined by other U12s to field at U13 level.

Soccer seem to play in single year groups therefore giving more kids more chances at games.

What I used to find was club managers were more focussed on winning the U14 league than ensuring 80-90% of those in that group made it to minor and beyond. The best way to ensure that is to have them play.

I've seen U14 feile implement rules to ensure subs are made in each half. And then I watched 2 teams in a county final remove 2 players each after 40 seconds of the half to be replaced by better players.
The kids see this, and it must have been highly embarrassing for them.

I also watched an U14 manager during feile warm a squad of 18 up and then when the referee asked about two of the players playing the second half (I think the rules had changed from the prior example) tell the ref they were injured. Again the kids know this - they are not daft.

Overall it's a cultural thing. 

However I believe if you provide games on a regular and consistent basis e.g. U14 hurling Friday at 6:30pm and the clubs focus on playing those in that age group and focus on playing and improving and not winning you may see a change.

[marty34]

Would club teams gave enough for a single year group i.e. an U11 team and an U12 team etc.?

Maybe in city and bigger country clubs but hard to sustain.

[Jeepers Creepers]

Put it this way, my son plays soccer and at u-11 there's 10 leagues of ten teams in South Belfast league.

[Gael-in-exile]

Put it this way, my son plays soccer and at u-11 there's 10 leagues of ten teams in South Belfast league.

.

So start now at U12/11/10 or wherever suits clubs. They play reduced sized pitches anyway and match numbers in go games. Maintain that through to U14 league and allow feile to be free rein selection & 15 a side.
But if the kids get games week after week and are playing they will continue to show up.

Years ago (I'm talking 90's) North Antrim played U12 & U14 on Saturday afternoon one after the other.
There's no reason not to aspire to play U11 at 12 on a Sunday and U13/14 at 1:15.
There's no reason why with increasing numbers from U10 down in most clubs why they can't play U10,11,12,13&14 all on a Sunday between 10-1pm as long as numbers align and fixtures can be matched up.
Take away the feeling of needing to win, (and that goes for teams who win easy also and should show a sensible attitude to how long they play the strongest players) then clubs may be able to field at all ages and give 40-50 kids a game each Sunday.

Imagine knowing every Sunday around Belfast most GAA grounds have 2-3 games for 2-3 hours. That's a huge amount of numbers.

[Milltown Row2]

Soccer is the biggest team sport in Ireland

In terms of participation, association football (soccer) is the most popular team pursuit for males at 8.8% with Gaelic football attracting 3.4%. Personal exercise (at 13.4%) and running (8.9%) are the most popular.

[Take the Mark]

The most dangerous forward on the Antrim panel on the bench again tomorrow, if the team named is accurate. Very very VERY slim chance of a win I know, but surely start your strongest team available and give it a rattle.

[Christmas Lights]

The most dangerous forward on the Antrim panel on the bench again tomorrow, if the team named is accurate. Very very VERY slim chance of a win I know, but surely start your strongest team available and give it a rattle.

Whose the most dangerous forward?

[Take the Mark]

Dominic McEnhill

[Gaels1789]

The most dangerous forward on the Antrim panel on the bench again tomorrow, if the team named is accurate. Very very VERY slim chance of a win I know, but surely start your strongest team available and give it a rattle.

Young Johnston down to start and he's not even with the team. Wouldn't pay much attention to that team sheet

[EOC1923]

Corrigan or nowhere!
At least we still have all that cr#p to look forward to hearing about in next few weeks.

[bannside]

Not really. I expect UC to nominate Corrigan this week and that will be the end of the matter. Shouldn't have required any debate or discussion at all.

[Gael-in-exile]

Not really. I expect UC to nominate Corrigan this week and that will be the end of the matter. Shouldn't have required any debate or discussion at all.

Any idea what the capacity will be set at?