Antrim Football Thread

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

We cant compare reserve football and hurling. Most football teams have reserve. There are really only around 5 (reliable) reserve hurling teams

By reliable i mean entering the leagues year on year

The reason for that was the decline of the reserve leagues. Many moons ago when i played reserve hurling we played constantly in the reserve league.

The three Down clubs, Loughgiel, Cushendall, Ballycastle, St Johns, Rossa, Dunloy all played in the D1 reserve league back then. It was constant, competitive and played before the senior league games. 

Two seasons ago the reserves played 2 games in the league. No clubs wanted to play a reserve game midweek so there was less and less games played. Once they removed the league games before the senior fixture they started to cancel the games.

[NorthAntrimSaff]

I dont think entering them into Div 3 is the answer either. Hurling reserve teams divisions were selected. In my opinion the top 4 reserve teams would finish top 4 in 3. One up one down etc etc the actual junior teams would not be happy

[Milltown Row2]

We cant compare reserve football and hurling. Most football teams have reserve. There are really only around 5 (reliable) reserve hurling teams

By reliable i mean entering the leagues year on year

The reason for that was the decline of the reserve leagues. Many moons ago when i played reserve hurling we played constantly in the reserve league.

The three Down clubs, Loughgiel, Cushendall, Ballycastle, St Johns, Rossa, Dunloy all played in the D1 reserve league back then. It was constant, competitive and played before the senior league games. 

Two seasons ago the reserves played 2 games in the league. No clubs wanted to play a reserve game midweek so there was less and less games played. Once they removed the league games before the senior fixture they started to cancel the games.

Going back a few years we played div4  won it, div3 won it snd had a junior title with that reserve squad. Was a great building block for those lads that came through to the senior teams, young Gallagher mcgourty and Co all played in those teams.

Was scrapped when South Antrim wanted to promote the Southy league more, as the reason we played in the leagues was the Rossa's and Johnnies played reserve league which left the teams and standard poorer, they came back and it was a good aul battle on a Monday night..

The reserves need respect, I've done a few reserve games in football and unfortunately it's not great..

Did enjoy the Sundays away or at home playing in front of the seniors, we'd be in the bar few scoops and come out and watch the seniors!

[NorthAntrimSaff]

I think its more attractive for some to play before the Seniors..go in get changed and pull on a sub top and be part of that too. Its also more attractive for some to play on the friday night and go on the beer on saturday.

The minors now on a Sunday obviously has a major impact on this

[asaffgael]

The reserve leagues have fell away! Anyone who was involved will agree! There is so many unfulfilled fixtures it makes it hard to commit to.

I believe being entered in div 3/4 is the answer but it can't be at the same time as the senior team. Ultimately everyone wants to watch their own team so it's not fair to have a reserve team playing at same time in different location

[Milltown Row2]

The reserve leagues have fell away! Anyone who was involved will agree! There is so many unfulfilled fixtures it makes it hard to commit to.

I believe being entered in div 3/4 is the answer but it can't be at the same time as the senior team. Ultimately everyone wants to watch their own team so it's not fair to have a reserve team playing at same time in different location

No, this is definitely not the way

It leaves it open for 'reserve' teams  to have a few extra players from the senior panel, stand alone team..

I get watching your senior team but feck me! I'd only be interested in playing ball! Plenty time to see your seniors come championship when it matters.

It's not fair on the other team

[Northbelfastgael]

The reserve leagues have fell away! Anyone who was involved will agree! There is so many unfulfilled fixtures it makes it hard to commit to.

I believe being entered in div 3/4 is the answer but it can't be at the same time as the senior team. Ultimately everyone wants to watch their own team so it's not fair to have a reserve team playing at same time in different location

No, this is definitely not the way

It leaves it open for 'reserve' teams  to have a few extra players from the senior panel, stand alone team..

I get watching your senior team but feck me! I'd only be interested in playing ball! Plenty time to see your seniors come championship when it matters.

It's not fair on the other team

Aye, think that the Ardoyne Hurlers complained about that this year (Rossa in Div 4).

For me, it would be a better standard if the reserve teams played in Division 3 (4/5). And before senior games. No better way for a St. Malachy's to show case themselves as a club than going to Milltown, playing a good game against a big reserve team before a senior match.

[paddyjohn]

Happy and safe Christmas period to you all.

[BigGreenField]

Any known intentions to publish squad details for McKenna Cup?

[inabsentia]

Any known intentions to publish squad details for McKenna Cup?

Would love to know if any fresh faces have made the cut for this year. Hard to know anything about it unless there's a lad from the club on it

[Milltown Row2]

Any known intentions to publish squad details for McKenna Cup?

Would love to know if any fresh faces have made the cut for this year. Hard to know anything about it unless there's a lad from the club on it

Plenty new and old lads about from what I can see

[Casement]

Any known intentions to publish squad details for McKenna Cup?

Do you actually expect there to be a squad published?

That won't happen. Heard old faces involved and not too many "hot prospects" have made it through. Plenty of people tout their players but the trials were their opportunity and they came up short... as expected.

Still not impressed with Mark Doran taking a club team at the same time. Think it's a disgrace to be honest.

[Dunsilly King]

Who is the club team?

[Milltown Row2]

I'll be honest I'm not sure it actually matters.. if he's given Antrim a commitment of x a number of nights and he's given this club a commitment to x a number of nights, what does it matter?

If I'm working three times a week with me team I've still 4 days left to work with another team?

What's the reasoning with not being happy with it?

[Casement]

It's not as simple as that for me. Technically of course he's free to take teams the other 4 nights (the best county teams operate on a 5-7 session basis btw).

But it would be based on two things. The first being the bad message that it sends out to be players and the county in that he might not expect Antrim to be playing into the latter stages of competitions and therefore he can focus on his club team thereafter.  The second thing would show to me that his focus isn't 100% on Antrim, which it clearly wouldn't be.

There is another question to be asked as to why he wants to take more than one team. It speaks mercenary vibes to me.

I want them to do well and I want to watch them but there's something to me not right about a man taking money from multiple places whilst the players knock their balls in for love of the county.