Antrim Football Thread

[NatSoSaff]

After falling into Div 4 in 2020 Louth GAA implemented a strategic overhaul involving elite coaching, administrative reform and major infrastructure investment. One of the items focused on was strategic planning, with a review to streamline player pathways, improve retention in Urban clubs and enhance commercial self sufficiency through initiatives like An Lu.
Instead of all the money spent on big name managers like Davy Fitz (im sure Doran quite expensive also) could we not focus on the above?

Sounds great. So how do we streamline player pathways and retain players at club level using methods that havent been tried to date?

[Walter Cronc]

After falling into Div 4 in 2020 Louth GAA implemented a strategic overhaul involving elite coaching, administrative reform and major infrastructure investment. One of the items focused on was strategic planning, with a review to streamline player pathways, improve retention in Urban clubs and enhance commercial self sufficiency through initiatives like An Lu.
Instead of all the money spent on big name managers like Davy Fitz (im sure Doran quite expensive also) could we not focus on the above?

Sounds great. So how do we streamline player pathways and retain players at club level using methods that havent been tried to date?

I'm like a stuck record player but you could start by trying to retain players from travelling to and playing for Derry schools??  Invest in St Louis and get lads from Cargin/Creggan/M'Glass and PG1 going there. I dunno twin it with some Antrim sub academy or that!

[imtommygunn]

Surely getting trained in the derry schools is doing them good not harm...

[Walter Cronc]

Surely getting trained in the derry schools is doing them good not harm...

Not if you are trying to create an Antrim club like culture...IMO

[NAG1]

After falling into Div 4 in 2020 Louth GAA implemented a strategic overhaul involving elite coaching, administrative reform and major infrastructure investment. One of the items focused on was strategic planning, with a review to streamline player pathways, improve retention in Urban clubs and enhance commercial self sufficiency through initiatives like An Lu.
Instead of all the money spent on big name managers like Davy Fitz (im sure Doran quite expensive also) could we not focus on the above?

Sounds great. So how do we streamline player pathways and retain players at club level using methods that havent been tried to date?

I'm like a stuck record player but you could start by trying to retain players from travelling to and playing for Derry schools??  Invest in St Louis and get lads from Cargin/Creggan/M'Glass and PG1 going there. I dunno twin it with some Antrim sub academy or that!

Plus, on this one unless they are getting the grades they aren't getting in to St Louis. Hurling or Football ability don't count.

The schools they are going too are taking all comers.

[imtommygunn]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

[NAG1]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

I get your point totally, bit of a conundrum because the parents wont send their kids to schools they feel are inferior and the schools can't get out of that rut without the kids.

There needs to be investment into the schools and development squads on a level we've not seen before and a realisation that this is the only way to improve things, not your flashy senior managers etc etc.

It is generational work in schools and clubs to lift the standard and playing pool across the board.

Genuinely isnt rocket science but will be expensive and it will be hard work.

[Walter Cronc]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

I get your point totally, bit of a conundrum because the parents wont send their kids to schools they feel are inferior and the schools can't get out of that rut without the kids.

There needs to be investment into the schools and development squads on a level we've not seen before and a realisation that this is the only way to improve things, not your flashy senior managers etc etc.

It is generational work in schools and clubs to lift the standard and playing pool across the board.

Genuinely isnt rocket science but will be expensive and it will be hard work.

Totally but the Convent are St Louis are on a par academically - understand if lads attend Maghera/St Pius. Antrim have to think outside the box and pairing the school with a county academy might be one way of doing it. I reference Trillick lads previously attending St Michaels Enniskillen. That doesn't appear to happen anymore going by Omagh teamsheets. Not sure if its by chance or Tyrone GAA keen to keep lads within the county??

Regarding costs - Ulster GAA have shafted Antrim this past 10 years or more over Casement. The county board should be demanding huge investment in structures in return!

[Spike]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

you also need to invest in a high school in the vicinity of st louis for natural school rivalry in addition to providing a route for the kids who didnt pass the transfer test.    pumping money into st louis alone is throwing good money after bad and neglecting the majority of the playing base

[Walter Cronc]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

you also need to invest in a high school in the vicinity of st louis for natural school rivalry in addition to providing a route for the kids who didnt pass the transfer test.    pumping money into st louis alone is throwing good money after bad and neglecting the majority of the playing base

Who are Omaghs rivals?

[Spike]

off the top of my head Deans and St Ciarans.  i'm sure there are more.

[Walter Cronc]

Local clubs doing heavy lifting in that part of Tyrone. Comparing to SW Antrim/Ballymena very difficult. Something has to change though with lads playing for Derry schools and a result being whether intentional or not apathy towards playing for Antrim

[paddyjohn]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

you also need to invest in a high school in the vicinity of st louis for natural school rivalry in addition to providing a route for the kids who didnt pass the transfer test.    pumping money into st louis alone is throwing good money after bad and neglecting the majority of the playing base

That would leave St Patricks or Slemish College.

[Dreen]

We need the people more than investment.  We do not have enough good football men in the county to make anything happen at the minute. 
When it comes to time and volunteering, who will make the sacrifices to do the hard yards when it doesn't involve their own child or club.
The best counties have these people, currently we don't.

[Dreen]

Local clubs doing heavy lifting in that part of Tyrone. Comparing to SW Antrim/Ballymena very difficult. Something has to change though with lads playing for Derry schools and a result being whether intentional or not apathy towards playing for Antrim

St Louis only took in Grade 1's last year for a start which makes it hard to square against Maghera.

The players going to Maghera/Magherafelt, how many actually go for the football?
Pg1 being used in the debate there, only 1 player went there and he may always have been going there through his Derry connection, i know they picked 1 up from St Conor's this year(good recruitment work)