Antrim Football Thread

[BigGreenField]

NEW Antrim manager Mark Doran has brought former Saffron stalwart Michael McCann into his backroom team, The Irish News understands.

The Longstone man – who guided Sleacht Néill into the last eight of the Derry SFC with victory over Bellaghy on Saturday – was named as Andy McEntee's successor two weeks ago.

Former Down player Doran previously led Ballybay to the Monaghan SFC title, alongside Jerome Johnston sr, while he has held coaching roles with his native county, Clare and Roscommon.

And enlisting a respected figure like McCann is a big boost as he bids to finalise his Antrim management team in the weeks ahead.

Still a key cog on the field for reigning county kingpins Cargin – who are going in search of a fourth title in-a-row – few know the lay of the land better than McCann as the Saffrons bid to bounce back from relegation to Division Four earlier this year.

[imtommygunn]

That's a very good move. (I think)

[Round or stuffed]

will the reserve finals be played under lights somewhere next Wednesday or at the same absurd 6.30pm as the semi finals

[Hoof Hearted]

will the reserve finals be played under lights somewhere next Wednesday or at the same absurd 6.30pm as the semi finals

the hurling equivalents are being played next week in dunsilly at 7.30, one on Tuesday, one on Wednesday.
So youd have to assume the football finals will be the same the week after.
But who knows !!

Ahoghill could also house the Cargin Portglenone game. Or Ballymena for that matter.

[YoungSaff]

McEntee in the Monaghan set up ?

How has he landed that ?

[inabsentia]

Looking at fixtures now they've been published, the div 1 relegation play off only showings Aldergrove and Tir na Nog. Is that right?

Know Ahoghill are already down, but Ballymena somehow exempt because they got to league final?

Wouldn't put it past the county to do that....

[inabsentia]

Looking at fixtures now they've been published, the div 1 relegation play off only showings Aldergrove and Tir na Nog. Is that right?

Know Ahoghill are already down, but Ballymena somehow exempt because they got to league final?

Wouldn't put it past the county to do that....

Would they not play the losers ?
3 way play off it would seem obvious

Hardly fair if one team gets 2 bites at the cherry to stay up while a team gets one. 3 way play off would mean they could fix it if they knew a result benefited both of them in the last match of the play off. But they can't force Ahoghill to play so whole thing is thrown out of kilter

[YoungSaff]

Looking at fixtures now they've been published, the div 1 relegation play off only showings Aldergrove and Tir na Nog. Is that right?

Know Ahoghill are already down, but Ballymena somehow exempt because they got to league final?

Wouldn't put it past the county to do that....

Would they not play the losers ?
3 way play off it would seem obvious

Hardly fair if one team gets 2 bites at the cherry to stay up while a team gets one. 3 way play off would mean they could fix it if they knew a result benefited both of them in the last match of the play off. But they can't force Ahoghill to play so whole thing is thrown out of kilter

Correct , 3 teams makes it fairly awkward , each team plays each other once like a league format whoever finishes worst off goes down maybe a fix ?

[Hoof Hearted]

Looking at fixtures now they've been published, the div 1 relegation play off only showings Aldergrove and Tir na Nog. Is that right?

Know Ahoghill are already down, but Ballymena somehow exempt because they got to league final?

Wouldn't put it past the county to do that....

Would they not play the losers ?
3 way play off it would seem obvious

Hardly fair if one team gets 2 bites at the cherry to stay up while a team gets one. 3 way play off would mean they could fix it if they knew a result benefited both of them in the last match of the play off. But they can't force Ahoghill to play so whole thing is thrown out of kilter

Correct , 3 teams makes it fairly awkward , each team plays each other once like a league format whoever finishes worst off goes down maybe a fix ?

Would make sense but the website just has the 2 teams on it at the minute
Not just the fixture  but a table with both teams only which would give you the impression Ballymena not involved.

[Hectic]

All Saints are in the relegation playoff.

Competition regulations state that if 3 teams involved it's a mini league with each team getting 1 home fixture. Also nothing about being exempt if finish anywhere in Div 1.

Website maybe not designed for a group playoff but will probably see them appear in the next round of fixtures where they will play either Aldergrove or Randalstown.

Quickest path would be having them play the loser of the first game as an All Saints victory would remove the need for a third game.

[Delgany 2nds]

It's a three way play off according to terms of SFC relegation rules. One Home & One away. Fixtures only in place to 14th Sept.

[Hoof Hearted]

Will be interesting to see how intense it is. Maybe one or all are thinking the same as Ahoghill, drop down and rebuild win another intermediate
Drumsurn are doing it in derry, opting to drop down and saving Ballinderry screen and swatragh the bother
Taking a lot of flak for it too on the derry discussion
Bit like here, some for some against.

[BigGreenField]

Will be interesting to see how intense it is. Maybe one or all are thinking the same as Ahoghill, drop down and rebuild win another intermediate
Drumsurn are doing it in derry, opting to drop down and saving Ballinderry screen and swatragh the bother
Taking a lot of flak for it too on the derry discussion
Bit like here, some for some against.

Decent amount of respect for Ahoghill as a solid dual club fighting against low playing numbers, and serious stuff off the field as well at times, hence a begrudging acceptance they are doing the right thing for the club.

Can't see any of the other 3 wanting to go down, while 2 of them are undoubtedly not Div 1/SFC standard they probabky rightly view staying up as the means to getting bwtter and consolidating their progress.

[Cnoc Bán]

Will be interesting to see how intense it is. Maybe one or all are thinking the same as Ahoghill, drop down and rebuild win another intermediate
Drumsurn are doing it in derry, opting to drop down and saving Ballinderry screen and swatragh the bother
Taking a lot of flak for it too on the derry discussion
Bit like here, some for some against.

Will be interesting to see how intense it is. Maybe one or all are thinking the same as Ahoghill, drop down and rebuild win another intermediate
Drumsurn are doing it in derry, opting to drop down and saving Ballinderry screen and swatragh the bother
Taking a lot of flak for it too on the derry discussion
Bit like here, some for some against.

Decent amount of respect for Ahoghill as a solid dual club fighting against low playing numbers, and serious stuff off the field as well at times, hence a begrudging acceptance they are doing the right thing for the club.

Can't see any of the other 3 wanting to go down, while 2 of them are undoubtedly not Div 1/SFC standard they probabky rightly view staying up as the means to getting bwtter and consolidating their progress.

Decent amount of respect for Ahoghill as a solid dual club fighting against low playing numbers, and serious stuff off the field as well at times, hence a begrudging acceptance they are doing the right thing for the club.

Can't see any of the other 3 wanting to go down, while 2 of them are undoubtedly not Div 1/SFC standard they probabky rightly view staying up as the means to getting bwtter and consolidating their progress.

Maybe a bit harsh on Ballymena and Aldergrove but I see what you mean 

[NorthAntrimSaff]

Ballymena had 22 league points
Aldergrove 14
Randalstown 6