Antrim Hurling

[SaffronSports]

After Glenariffe being unbeaten big beating they took last night from Cushendun in division 2.

Cushendun lost their first two matches and are unbeaten since. They've taken both Ahoghill and Glenariffe's unbeaten records as well. That Div 2, Intermediate is great though. So many teams at a similar standard.

Glenarm beat cushendun and Carey without a win beat carryduff who were in very good form. Definitely very interesting division.

Didn't make it down to Cushendun as had to collect the daughter from work and she was late getting out but read the report and it sounds like Niall McGarel was on form and made the difference.

Carey haven't become a bad team over night. Won Antrim, Ulster and the league last year but maybe suffered a bit of a hangover period to begin this season which has cost them a good management team. Watched them last Wednesday against Glenarm and they could have won that match. Glenarm were two up and the Carey forward got a bit of space right on the blow and drilled his shot just over the bar to lose by one when he really should have got a goal.

It's competitive in that division most weeks.

[Saffrongael]

Glenariffe will probably win Div 2, they have a favourable few games left.

They beat Ahoghill easily on Sunday, whether anyone chooses to go up is another matter. With the age profile of Glenariffes squad they may give it a go.

[johnnycool]

Glenariffe will probably win Div 2, they have a favourable few games left.

They beat Ahoghill easily on Sunday, whether anyone chooses to go up is another matter. With the age profile of Glenariffes squad they may give it a go.

They'll have nothing to fear by going up.

[Saffrongael]

Glenariffe will probably win Div 2, they have a favourable few games left.

They beat Ahoghill easily on Sunday, whether anyone chooses to go up is another matter. With the age profile of Glenariffes squad they may give it a go.

They'll have nothing to fear by going up.

The advantage any team that goes up will have is some teams will be understrength while IC season is in full swing

[saffman]

So div 1 has split

Top 5 fighting for the league

Bottom 5 playing 4 meaningless games heading into championship?

Thats how it works isnt it?

[Saffron71]

Well it'll probably be meaningless games in both halves of the division 1 split.  Apart from Ballycran, Ballygalget and St Endas who will be fighting to avoid the drop.  As for the top half I can't imagine winning the league will be a massive target for any of those 5 teams.  They'll likely use those games to try things out ahead of championship or hold back against some of their championship group opponents (Bit of shadow boxing).  I think it's just one up and one down in all leagues this year.  I don't think there are any play offs (2nd bottom v 2nd in a league).

[johnnycool]

How do you split the league with one outstanding game to be played?

Dunloy v Portaferry was never played and now they are in different sections.

Won't probably matter but if Dunloy are 2 points short of winning the league....

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Wondering that myself JC if it was ever going to be played after the league has split now.

Personally, i couldn't care less if it was played at all and i don't think you'll find many our way wanting to worry about winning a league.

Were away to Ballycastle, Rossa & St Johns then home to Loughgiel. Cant see an appetite for another away day 

[SaffronSports]

Watched Cushendall minors in action against Glenariffe/Glenravel on Friday night, that's a very strong side. Think they have a great chance of repeating the neighbours achievements from last year by winning Ulster. Plenty of hurling to be played yet but definitely a very good team.

[Saffrongael]

Watched Cushendall minors in action against Glenariffe/Glenravel on Friday night, that's a very strong side. Think they have a great chance of repeating the neighbours achievements from last year by winning Ulster. Plenty of hurling to be played yet but definitely a very good team.

Cushendall should walk the minor this year

[imtommygunn]

I thought Dunloy were one of the favourites but see Loughgiel beat them. It's good to see different teams being so strong in the minor year on year and should hopefully make senior more competitive in years to come.

[SaffronSports]

I thought Dunloy were one of the favourites but see Loughgiel beat them. It's good to see different teams being so strong in the minor year on year and should hopefully make senior more competitive in years to come.

I'm nearly sure Loughgiel beat Dunloy in the Darragh Cup on Friday then Dunloy beat Loughgiel in the league on Sunday.

[imtommygunn]

Yeah you're right - and cushendall beat st pauls by 6 in the league too.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

I thought Dunloy were one of the favourites but see Loughgiel beat them. It's good to see different teams being so strong in the minor year on year and should hopefully make senior more competitive in years to come.

Cushendall should be the strongest at this grade going by two years ago. They had their Feile winning panel plus McMullan Cup squad so they would of been expected to be the team to beat at this grade.

I wasn't expecting our lads to be pushing this year yet but they have done really well thus far. Two excellent games between ourselves and Loughgiel in the space of three days which highlights the good work being done in both clubs.

We haven't met Cushendall yet so it will be interesting to see how we get on against them.

[saffman]

Well it'll probably be meaningless games in both halves of the division 1 split.  Apart from Ballycran, Ballygalget and St Endas who will be fighting to avoid the drop.  As for the top half I can't imagine winning the league will be a massive target for any of those 5 teams.  They'll likely use those games to try things out ahead of championship or hold back against some of their championship group opponents (Bit of shadow boxing).  I think it's just one up and one down in all leagues this year.  I don't think there are any play offs (2nd bottom v 2nd in a league).

What drop?
If you come last can you not just say you don't want to go down and everyone smiles and agrees?