Antrim Football Thread

[Take the Mark]

Of course you'd be right not to be drawing any lasting conclusions from the league however it was plain to see last night that Portglenone were out to lay down a marker or banish a demon - whatever way you want to paint it. Failed to do so, from 6 up.

Who are the best ball winners that aren't around apart from Niall McKeever?

Oh and Bannside - I'm not sure about Portglenone but Cargin also had 9 :-)

[NatSoSaff]

Decent game last night at home to Whitehill. Looked as if we were going to run up a cricket score after 15 minutes. They came back well to their credit.

That should be the top 4 finalised as I don't see any slip ups from the current 4 in the next league round, meaning Portglenone will miss out.

I imagine all 4 sides wouldn't mind getting a trophy in the cabinet at this stage. St brigids will want to retain it and the other 3 have went without it long enough now to want it back.

No doubt holidays will have an impact on all 4 clubs.

[bannside]

Take Your Mark, I'm not going to be getting worked up about a game I had no big expectation of, no matter who was playing or wasn't playing.

Anything happening in Mid June is too early to be concerned about what might happen in August or September.

And I emphasise the word "might", because you need a strong panel to win anything, and at the minute we look a bit light.

[BigGreenField]

We are talking about Belfast schools combining for the purposes of team training and preparation for Ulster College fixtures.

What they do to sustain that after the competition is over I haven't a clue. Go back to their clubs and county development squads I assume..

What do you propose?

My starting point is it's good to see something new being tried and if it exposes schools as to what is needed (and begins to build the culture needed)at a higher standard that is great.

two things, what evidence is there from elsewhere that amalgamations at schools long term lift standards? Down hurling, Derry City, Donegal? Amalgamations can't run forever so when they end how are higher standards delivered and embedded.

if this is a 3 or 4 school amalgamation then that means a panel of 25(?),  best 6 or 7 from each school. That leaves 3 or 4 schools with the rest of their panel at a lower level again. for the lads in the amalgamation they get to play at a higher standard but for the 75 lads not in it they end up playing at a lower standard.

It's worth a go however a plan continues to be needed for raising collective standards in order that the ground is fertile for when the amalgamation ends.

If we believe county coaching is better than club then to me this involves significant expansion of development squad programme both on skills and S&C. Building the culture of self improvement.

I also think schools should be open to and be given (by Croke:Ulster Gaa) an annual review in the quality and quantity of in school training and coaching and S&C (doesn't have to be disclosed). Direct Gaa resources to this schools willing to get better. The same should apply to clubs and if clubs don't get their house in order then players should be free to transfer away.

That is a different environment and perhaps a step away from everyone doing their best.

[BigGreenField]

Decent game last night at home to Whitehill. Looked as if we were going to run up a cricket score after 15 minutes. They came back well to their credit.

That should be the top 4 finalised as I don't see any slip ups from the current 4 in the next league round, meaning Portglenone will miss out.

I imagine all 4 sides wouldn't mind getting a trophy in the cabinet at this stage. St brigids will want to retain it and the other 3 have went without it long enough now to want it back.

No doubt holidays will have an impact on all 4 clubs.

All saints fielded reserves last year, I do wonder with new rules producing more demands athletically on players, if clubs actually want to have 2 intense games or wouldn't mind a week or two down time, league silverware or not.

[InnocentByStander]

You can count PG1 out of the championship now. Cargin got stuck in and hit them hard they lay down and threw away a 6 point lead.

By laying down i literally mean it, their full back caught the ball and looked like something out of the premier league he let out this cry and held his hand to his face. Collie to his credit was having none of it he fisted it to david johnston who stuck it in the net. Embarrassing stuff.

Everything goes through their blow in he is their only threat in the forward line if he gets injured they wont make it out of the group. Outside of McKeever they were full strength, BS is playing it off if i was a PG1 man id be very worried.

[Take the Mark]

Take Your Mark, I'm not going to be getting worked up about a game I had no big expectation of, no matter who was playing or wasn't playing.

Anything happening in Mid June is too early to be concerned about what might happen in August or September.

And I emphasise the word "might", because you need a strong panel to win anything, and at the minute we look a bit light.

Nobody said you were getting worked up - chill out. My point was that as a team it seemed from the outset you (the Portglenone team) were going hard at it for the win, just my opinion.

You failed to name the ball winners you were missing as well when questioned, your prerogative though.

[bannside]

Personally I would be delighted if Fergal OKane Shane Delargy and Niall McKeever turned up for training. All three can win their own ball, but in the meantime I respect their own right to make their own decisions.

Conor McGhee and Ronan Delargy would also help in that regard, both out injured atm.

But every club has players missing injured or unavailable, so this is not unique. It's still mid June, a bit early to be judging too harshly.

[Spike]

We are talking about Belfast schools combining for the purposes of team training and preparation for Ulster College fixtures.

What they do to sustain that after the competition is over I haven't a clue. Go back to their clubs and county development squads I assume..

What do you propose?

My starting point is it's good to see something new being tried and if it exposes schools as to what is needed (and begins to build the culture needed)at a higher standard that is great.

two things, what evidence is there from elsewhere that amalgamations at schools long term lift standards? Down hurling, Derry City, Donegal? Amalgamations can't run forever so when they end how are higher standards delivered and embedded. Dont know about schools but the Sean Stinsons amalgamation appeared to achieve the result of both Portglenone and Ahoghill achieving Div 1 Status. Someone more knowledgeable could say how the Creggan/Tir na nog hurling experiment is going, the All Saints/Ahoghill hurling or the Ahoghill/Moneyglass current underage teams are working out? As you say they cant go on forever and first impressions they are not a sign of stable clubs but happy to be educated on this

if this is a 3 or 4 school amalgamation then that means a panel of 25(?),  best 6 or 7 from each school. That leaves 3 or 4 schools with the rest of their panel at a lower level again. for the lads in the amalgamation they get to play at a higher standard but for the 75 lads not in it they end up playing at a lower standard. will a rising tide not left all boats?

It's worth a go however a plan continues to be needed for raising collective standards in order that the ground is fertile for when the amalgamation ends.

If we believe county coaching is better than club then to me this involves significant expansion of development squad programme both on skills and S&C. Building the culture of self improvement.

I also think schools should be open to and be given (by Croke:Ulster Gaa) an annual review in the quality and quantity of in school training and coaching and S&C (doesn't have to be disclosed). Direct Gaa resources to this schools willing to get better. The same should apply to clubs and if clubs don't get their house in order then players should be free to transfer away. Surely you cant be serious about that last sentence? these arent soccer clubs.    schools are all ticking the right boxes to get past any assessor but over and above is needed to correct the problem

That is a different environment and perhaps a step away from everyone doing their best.

[Take the Mark]

Personally I would be delighted if Fergal OKane Shane Delargy and Niall McKeever turned up for training. All three can win their own ball, but in the meantime I respect their own right to make their own decisions.

Conor McGhee and Ronan Delargy would also help in that regard, both out injured atm.

But every club has players missing injured or unavailable, so this is not unique. It's still mid June, a bit early to be judging too harshly.

They'd have some brass neck to show up in July if they have opted out to now.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

We are talking about Belfast schools combining for the purposes of team training and preparation for Ulster College fixtures.

What they do to sustain that after the competition is over I haven't a clue. Go back to their clubs and county development squads I assume..

What do you propose?

My starting point is it's good to see something new being tried and if it exposes schools as to what is needed (and begins to build the culture needed)at a higher standard that is great.

two things, what evidence is there from elsewhere that amalgamations at schools long term lift standards? Down hurling, Derry City, Donegal? Amalgamations can't run forever so when they end how are higher standards delivered and embedded.

if this is a 3 or 4 school amalgamation then that means a panel of 25(?),  best 6 or 7 from each school. That leaves 3 or 4 schools with the rest of their panel at a lower level again. for the lads in the amalgamation they get to play at a higher standard but for the 75 lads not in it they end up playing at a lower standard.

It's worth a go however a plan continues to be needed for raising collective standards in order that the ground is fertile for when the amalgamation ends.

If we believe county coaching is better than club then to me this involves significant expansion of development squad programme both on skills and S&C. Building the culture of self improvement.

I also think schools should be open to and be given (by Croke:Ulster Gaa) an annual review in the quality and quantity of in school training and coaching and S&C (doesn't have to be disclosed). Direct Gaa resources to this schools willing to get better. The same should apply to clubs and if clubs don't get their house in order then players should be free to transfer away.

That is a different environment and perhaps a step away from everyone doing their best.

The players chosen to play in the amalgamation will also play for their own school team in the lower competition.

On the second part. What authority does Ulster GAA have over schools?
Be aware that school staff are coaching GAA voluntarily, beyond their day's work.
They aren't coming down with volunteers either.

[paddyjohn]

Alot of PG1 bashing going on here.. a few agendas being pushed 🤔

[Milltown Row2]

Personally I would be delighted if Fergal OKane Shane Delargy and Niall McKeever turned up for training. All three can win their own ball, but in the meantime I respect their own right to make their own decisions.

Conor McGhee and Ronan Delargy would also help in that regard, both out injured atm.

But every club has players missing injured or unavailable, so this is not unique. It's still mid June, a bit early to be judging too harshly.

They'd have some brass neck to show up in July if they have opted out to now.

Brass neck? These lads are not professionals, county players weigh in every year around July August most years, lads that swanned aff to the States never made it back till the start of Championships for many many seasons and not a thing said.

If the likes of McKeever packed it in and came back, I doubt anyone would raise an eyebrow at that.

Some aul craic on here lol

[Take the Mark]

Each to their own, but if I were pushed out of the team for some of those who hung them up before the season started it would leave a sour taste. But as I say, each to their own.

Some mentioning Ports management etc, nonsense chat for me that.

[YoungSaff]

Div 2 league decider was a good game last night at Moneyglasse's new pitch I went down

That young lad Brian Healy can seriously dig a ball off the deck pulled Sarsfields out anytime it got tight with a big score.

Moneyglass didn't seem to click missing an early penalty too , I think that will make a great first round championship game !!

Thought Ray Matthews did good job in the middle