Antrim Football Thread

[inabsentia]

U20 had a convincing win against Wicklow ahead of the senior game on Saturday. Reality is our u17/u20 football could be competitive with around half of the teams in the country , but in Ulster we have the underage powerhouses of Donegal, Tyrone and Derry , with the others not that far behind.

That the footballers? Can see nothing about it anywhere

[SaffronSports]

U20 had a convincing win against Wicklow ahead of the senior game on Saturday. Reality is our u17/u20 football could be competitive with around half of the teams in the country , but in Ulster we have the underage powerhouses of Donegal, Tyrone and Derry , with the others not that far behind.

That the footballers? Can see nothing about it anywhere

It was a challenge match so doubt any media were there. One of the players told me they won by a point.

[inabsentia]

U20 had a convincing win against Wicklow ahead of the senior game on Saturday. Reality is our u17/u20 football could be competitive with around half of the teams in the country , but in Ulster we have the underage powerhouses of Donegal, Tyrone and Derry , with the others not that far behind.

That the footballers? Can see nothing about it anywhere

It was a challenge match so doubt any media were there. One of the players told me they won by a point.

Any word on squad/team?

[SaffronSports]

U20 had a convincing win against Wicklow ahead of the senior game on Saturday. Reality is our u17/u20 football could be competitive with around half of the teams in the country , but in Ulster we have the underage powerhouses of Donegal, Tyrone and Derry , with the others not that far behind.

That the footballers? Can see nothing about it anywhere

It was a challenge match so doubt any media were there. One of the players told me they won by a point.

Any word on squad/team?

I think they start their campaign in 3 weeks so I'm sure there will be team news before then.

[Saffsof82]

Your are 100% correct.....we lambast and wring our hands that our school teams can't compete in A competitions, yet in hurling our schools are in the B competition (Mageean winners only qualify to go into B semifinal). Our u17 and u20 hurling teams play in a revamped ulster championship and have struggled at times over the last number of years , but then progress to B level competition in Leinster where we are only just competitive and hang on by the finger nails. In Ulster football we are a mile off the top teams and that gap is not narrowing. The introduction of an Ulster B competition is welcome, but as EOC said, we need rid of the dysfunctional & outdated provisional system and have a graded all Ireland competition as already happens at Academy Squad level up to u16 and works really well, so the model is there.

[Saffrongael]

Your are 100% correct.....we lambast and wring our hands that our school teams can't compete in A competitions, yet in hurling our schools are in the B competition (Mageean winners only qualify to go into B semifinal). Our u17 and u20 hurling teams play in a revamped ulster championship and have struggled at times over the last number of years , but then progress to B level competition in Leinster where we are only just competitive and hang on by the finger nails. In Ulster football we are a mile off the top teams and that gap is not narrowing. The introduction of an Ulster B competition is welcome, but as EOC said, we need rid of the dysfunctional & outdated provisional system and have a graded all Ireland competition as already happens at Academy Squad level up to u16 and works really well, so the model is there.

It's actually our U-16s play in the Ulster U-17 championship (and won it last week)

[NorthAntrimSaff]

U20 had a convincing win against Wicklow ahead of the senior game on Saturday. Reality is our u17/u20 football could be competitive with around half of the teams in the country , but in Ulster we have the underage powerhouses of Donegal, Tyrone and Derry , with the others not that far behind.

The argument is that hurling is in a bad place because we are in Ulster now we are saying football is in a bad place because we are in Ulster?

We aren't competitive in Ulster. Players need good games. 10/15/20 point defeats against Ulster sides isn't the right way to develop. Kerry havent played in the munster hurling championship for 20 + years

[imtommygunn]

In hurling *ulster* school teams are in the B competition.

Our footballers are getting routinely beaten by a lot in the minors. It can't be doing much for an incentive of playing county.

[Saffsof82]

Minors level with Donegal here at Dunsilly with 10 left on the clock, work rate is fantastic

[bannside]

Finished a draw. Well done all involved.

Long time.....

[Hoof Hearted]

Played well, as was said, workrate.
If you think you're not the level of other teams ability wise  the least you expect is effort, and it was there to see today, from getting a point from the throw in and a 17th point with the last kick to equalise, and everything in between
Well done.

[Belfast GAA man]

St John's won the hurling last year
Ant belfast teams could win the football this year ?

[paddyjohn]

St John's won the hurling last year
Ant belfast teams could win the football this year ?

St Galls will be the next City team to do it

[ONeill]

Played well, as was said, workrate.
If you think you're not the level of other teams ability wise  the least you expect is effort, and it was there to see today, from getting a point from the throw in and a 17th point with the last kick to equalise, and everything in between
Well done.

Was at it and disagree to an extent. Ability-wise, Antrim were their equal and more.

Gave away a couple of cheap scores for not giving the ball back but beyond that, Antrim has just as much talent.

Probably one take-away were the set ups. Donegal backroom staff is something else, even at that level.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

St John's won the hurling last year
Ant belfast teams could win the football this year ?

St Galls will be the next City team to do it

Billy Big Statement......

Will the West Belfast teams make much of an impression in this years senior championship?

Rossa are now finally reloaded with the Murphy brothers after their 3 year sabbatical trying to spread the hurling gospel to our fellow Down natives in lovely Liatroim and will they be able to kick on from their league form to take a scalp or two in North Antrim?

The Johnnies took Cushendall all the way in the semi-final last year, can they repeat or go one better?

Simple Answer is No.

Big Ears will be staying beside the coast.