Antrim Hurling

[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).

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

Yea that's usually the case in division 1 to be fair.  Though this year the division 2 champions (Looking like Glenariffe) will more than likely want to come up so relegation from division 1 might have to happen to facilitate this.  Though at the same time those in the board room may decide to scrap relegation and expand division 1.  Wouldn't it be great going into a season knowing exactly what the permutations were and not having to wait until the convention/fixtures meetings to know exactly what is happening.  Chances are the leagues will change again next year as the CCC are trying to push a 5 division league system. 

[johnnycool]

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?

Yea that's usually the case in division 1 to be fair.  Though this year the division 2 champions (Looking like Glenariffe) will more than likely want to come up so relegation from division 1 might have to happen to facilitate this.  Though at the same time those in the board room may decide to scrap relegation and expand division 1.  Wouldn't it be great going into a season knowing exactly what the permutations were and not having to wait until the convention/fixtures meetings to know exactly what is happening.  Chances are the leagues will change again next year as the CCC are trying to push a 5 division league system. 

We were meant to be automatically relegated last year (Ballycran won a playoff to stay up) and were all set for Div2 until we were given the option to either get remain in Div2 or stay in Div1 by Antrim CB, in and around Feb/March timeframe.
We didn't push to remain in Div1 if that's what is being implied.

[Tony Baloney]

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?

Yea that's usually the case in division 1 to be fair.  Though this year the division 2 champions (Looking like Glenariffe) will more than likely want to come up so relegation from division 1 might have to happen to facilitate this.  Though at the same time those in the board room may decide to scrap relegation and expand division 1.  Wouldn't it be great going into a season knowing exactly what the permutations were and not having to wait until the convention/fixtures meetings to know exactly what is happening.  Chances are the leagues will change again next year as the CCC are trying to push a 5 division league system. 

We were meant to be automatically relegated last year (Ballycran won a playoff to stay up) and were all set for Div2 until we were given the option to either get remain in Div2 or stay in Div1 by Antrim CB, in and around Feb/March timeframe.
We didn't push to remain in Div1 if that's what is being implied.

Is the winner of the div below not wanting to go up the only criteria for staying up? You wouldn't like to think *some* clubs are getting preferential treatment.

[NAG1]

Is it not time to have a serious look at it and if we have to scrap relegation for a couple of seasons to give some clubs time to adapt to senior level?

The league is petty much a farce at this stage anyway, no county players playing even though they are sitting kicking their heels on the bench with no game time.

How about some joined up thinking about how we can raise the level across the board for a change.

[Tony Baloney]

Is it not time to have a serious look at it and if we have to scrap relegation for a couple of seasons to give some clubs time to adapt to senior level?

The league is petty much a farce at this stage anyway, no county players playing even though they are sitting kicking their heels on the bench with no game time.

How about some joined up thinking about how we can raise the level across the board for a change.

You are old enough to know better.

[NAG1]

Is it not time to have a serious look at it and if we have to scrap relegation for a couple of seasons to give some clubs time to adapt to senior level?

The league is petty much a farce at this stage anyway, no county players playing even though they are sitting kicking their heels on the bench with no game time.

How about some joined up thinking about how we can raise the level across the board for a change.

You are old enough to know better.

It's the hope that kills you TB 

[imtommygunn]

The split season works in many ways but it completely stuffs up a lot of leagues and very few counties know how to deal with it.

Then again maybe we weren't great before it...

[johnnycool]

Is it not time to have a serious look at it and if we have to scrap relegation for a couple of seasons to give some clubs time to adapt to senior level?

The league is petty much a farce at this stage anyway, no county players playing even though they are sitting kicking their heels on the bench with no game time.

How about some joined up thinking about how we can raise the level across the board for a change.

It really depends on where a team is in it's development phase, and by the looks of it Carey Faughs (I think that's who was top) were probably right to remain in Div2 based on they'd quite a few older players coming to the end of their days and were needing to rebuild.

It will be very different for the Oisins who may very well be wanting to get promoted with a young enough squad with a load of their successful minor teams of yester years pushing them on.

IMO there will definitely be a relegation at the end of this league.

[paddyjohn]

A bit of bother in Ballyvoy from what I heard. Change of management and player unrest

[SaffronSports]

A bit of bother in Ballyvoy from what I heard. Change of management and player unrest

News travels fast, that's over a fortnight ago.

[Milltown Row2]

Div 2 teams bar maybe Glenarrife due to their youth coming through are not at that level to sustain a spell in Div 1

While Div 2 is competitive its a fair drop in skill from the top 6 or 7 teams in the top tier..

Having been part of a yo-yo team for many years it was difficult to maintain that consistency as (for us anyways) having div 1 in both codes was a drain on players, the country teams its a numbers game also, schools closing and homes too expensive to live in for locals will drive down the numbers..

I'm going to sound like a broken record but too many clubs, dual clubs in Belfast to have any sort of impact on the senior championship.. a dedicated two or even three clubs at hurling would then bring the competition up to 7 teams challenging.. But who will bend?   

[paddyjohn]

A bit of bother in Ballyvoy from what I heard. Change of management and player unrest

News travels fast, that's over a fortnight ago.

Glad to know you're up to date with the latest news.

[Marksman1]

Hearing reports from the weekend there from the Naomh Padraig and St. Endas minor game. Young lad from cushendun got a shocking injury in a scuffle. 1 player took his helmet off and threw it over the fence then his brother broke a stick over his head. Heard he needed 18 stitches. Deserves a long ban for that!

[Banks of the Bann]

Hearing reports from the weekend there from the Naomh Padraig and St. Endas minor game. Young lad from cushendun got a shocking injury in a scuffle. 1 player took his helmet off and threw it over the fence then his brother broke a stick over his head. Heard he needed 18 stitches. Deserves a long ban for that!

Deserves to be charged with assault and go to prison for that.

Stuff like that needs to be treated exactly the same as if done off the playing field.

[paddyjohn]

Hearing reports from the weekend there from the Naomh Padraig and St. Endas minor game. Young lad from cushendun got a shocking injury in a scuffle. 1 player took his helmet off and threw it over the fence then his brother broke a stick over his head. Heard he needed 18 stitches. Deserves a long ban for that!

Deserves to be charged with assault and go to prison for that.

Stuff like that needs to be treated exactly the same as if done off the playing field.

2 brothers is what I heard. Disgusting act and needs a lifetime ban.