Antrim Football Thread

[Point_taken]

Well if Laochra didn't want to come up into Div 2, what do you want Gort na Mona to do? Volunteer to go down? I'm not a fan of being potentially relegated based on your final position in the championship groups as well as the league to be honest. Think it's a bit unfair especially if there have been good league results and performances. They should be rewarded. I can't remember what the rationale was for it. Anyone remember?

[Round or stuffed]

A championship group stage is a load of shite and when Antrim realise that they might be in a better place, Aldergroves relegation through the championship a farce too, and for the record, Gort and Davitts drew in 2025, davitts are obvious candidates based on league position last year, and there was never to be a relegation between bottom of intermediate championship and runner up in Junior, there was to be one between lowest place teams in each group, which even the powers that be in Antrim realised was a complete balls, so it never happened.

[delgany]

Eire Og heavy favourites for junior league and championship double. Heard they are flying under new management.

I heard a few squad players moved to Eire Og from Lisburn & that the Randalstown manager was directing the EO training for the manager( triple jobbing ?)
Also heard Conor Murray now coaching Lisburn.

[Saffsof82]

Dixon, Mulholland and Aaron Thompson transferred from Lisburn to Eire Og, think Aaron is there as player/manager

[thegladiator]

Dixon, Mulholland and Aaron Thompson transferred from Lisburn to Eire Og, think Aaron is there as player/manager

Only Eoin Dixon was regular starter last season but had some injury issues. When fit and focused he is great and Lisburn will miss his scoring ability, along with Ruadhan mckenna (goalkeeper). Both hit a lot of scores, particularly 2 pointers and frees last season. Red is finished at d2 level so a move into coaching/management was coming, especially  since he looked after the Lisburn reserves last year. Him and knux go way back to playing with St Teresa's, so it's not surprising  that knux might give him a few training  drills/sessions from his back catalogue, but saying triple jobbing is harsh! Lol. For Lisburn, my worry would be squad depth, as they have lost 4/5 from last year- but have picked up a few new faces as well, so they may be ok depending on their quality, but there were times last season that there wasn't much of a bench and at least 2 of them have moved on now.

[AllStar15]

Well if Laochra didn't want to come up into Div 2, what do you want Gort na Mona to do? Volunteer to go down? I'm not a fan of being potentially relegated based on your final position in the championship groups as well as the league to be honest. Think it's a bit unfair especially if there have been good league results and performances. They should be rewarded. I can't remember what the rationale was for it. Anyone remember?

That is why he's saying they were meant to go down, because they were. No club should be allowed to reject promotion, does a disservce to the whole point of the leagues.

[AllStar15]

I wonder how much the injury to Deccy Smith will hit Dunloys chances. I'd forgotten about that. It's a serious injury to come back from and he was crucial to them last year. Mick McCanns retirement will be of equal if not more impactful on Cargin. There could well be more of the older hands hanging up the boots there in addition to that. I agree with the previous poster that Matthew and Conor Downey returning to Lavey wont be as significant a loss to St.Brigids as has been made out.

Cue the ridicule, but I think I'm convincing myself it might just be Creggans year! 

Mick McCann's retirement may be greatly exaggerated

[BigGreenField]

I wonder how much the injury to Deccy Smith will hit Dunloys chances. I'd forgotten about that. It's a serious injury to come back from and he was crucial to them last year. Mick McCanns retirement will be of equal if not more impactful on Cargin. There could well be more of the older hands hanging up the boots there in addition to that. I agree with the previous poster that Matthew and Conor Downey returning to Lavey wont be as significant a loss to St.Brigids as has been made out.

Cue the ridicule, but I think I'm convincing myself it might just be Creggans year! 

Mick McCann's retirement may be greatly exaggerated

Taking up refereeing full time? 

[imtommygunn]

Surely as good as he is he has to drop off pace wise etc. at some point...

Also I still would say that Cargin would be decent favourites. With Dunloy I would say it's starting to sting on the hurling front because they really should be winning antrim and in addition teams will be more aware of their tactics now too.

I wouldn't see St Brigids or Portglenone as winning it tbh. (Don't mind on either front but really from an outside looking in perspective both would seem a good bit off unless something drastic changes). Though I guess I would have said the same about Dunloy last year but I really think it would be a big surprise on either and Creggan looked last year to have dropped off a bit.

[AllStar15]

Mick McCann's retirement may be greatly exaggerated
[/quote]

Taking up refereeing full time? 
[/quote]

Sure he's been at that for 20 years, he's earned his retirement

[Caesar]

Cargin, Creggan, Dunloy, Portglenone and St Brigids all capable of winning the championship if the stars align. Cargin remain firm favourites. One bad performance doesn't make them a busted flush after a decade of dominance. But if I was a betting man, my money would be on Creggan.

[AllStar15]

Cargin are still the favs but less so if Mick has retired. There is no doubt the chasing pack of 4/5 are getting closer to Cargin but whether thats because they are getting better or Cargin is sliding a bit is up for discussion.

[Hoof Hearted]

I think Cargin have made a statement by retaining their management and strengthening their backroom team.
You don't become 2nd best just by one bad game.
Ist year with new rules, for everyone obviously, but suited others better.
Dunloy very much so.
Cargin can't just shut up shop and close out games the way they did, and did it very well tbf.

Cargin very much still favourites in my eyes, but as Dunloy, Madden and Loughmacrory proved last year, there's hope for everyone.

New management's are a big thing too, aswell are retaining the tried and trusted.
We saw what MOR done with Glen a few years back.
A talented team who were struggling to get over the line, then......

[Saffsof82]

I wonder how much the injury to Deccy Smith will hit Dunloys chances. I'd forgotten about that. It's a serious injury to come back from and he was crucial to them last year. Mick McCanns retirement will be of equal if not more impactful on Cargin. There could well be more of the older hands hanging up the boots there in addition to that. I agree with the previous poster that Matthew and Conor Downey returning to Lavey wont be as significant a loss to St.Brigids as has been made out.

Cue the ridicule, but I think I'm convincing myself it might just be Creggans year! 

Mick McCann's retirement may be greatly exaggerated

Taking up refereeing full time? 

      

[bannside]

All about opinions, sure nothings won on Gaaboard lol. So many 50/50 games, league will be interesting, but Cship the big prize.

Is McNamee heading for a new destination in 2026??