Antrim Football Thread

[NatSoSaff]

This tripe about being x number of years off Derry in terms of conditioning, where does this waffle come from? They all looked fairly similar to me on Saturday, big strong athletic players across both panels. Where are you pulling these conditioning figures from? Have you seen test scores or max reps lifts or whatever it is they measure this stuff by?
It's a cop out. Those Antrim lads have been in gyms and on programs since their early teens like every other county. Derry players have come up through a much better standard of club coaching (by and large), much better/more competitive leagues, championships and fixture structures, and as a result they continually play at a much higher level on a sustained and consistent basis. That's it. Not the extra 2 mm Paudie Mcgrogans jersey sleeve stretches in comparison to Nial burns.

Wake up.

[Milltown Row2]

This tripe about being x number of years off Derry in terms of conditioning, where does this waffle come from? They all looked fairly similar to me on Saturday, big strong athletic players across both panels. Where are you pulling these conditioning figures from? Have you seen test scores or max reps lifts or whatever it is they measure this stuff by?
It's a cop out. Those Antrim lads have been in gyms and on programs since their early teens like every other county. Derry players have come up through a much better standard of club coaching (by and large), much better/more competitive leagues, championships and fixture structures, and as a result they continually play at a much higher level on a sustained and consistent basis. That's it. Not the extra 2 mm Paudie Mcgrogans jersey sleeve stretches in comparison to Nial burns.

Wake up.

They are conditioned from secondary school up! The levels they play within just the schools never mind clubs is higher, the county has been bar one year in the top two leagues for many years, they obviously have better strength and conditioning when they are still fit after 65 minutes to run up and down the pitch and put in tackles, they have to be playing at that standard..

But I'm getting from your post you feel that's bullshit and Antrim should have been closer to derry or even winning?

We can't get out of div 4 this year but be in contention with Derry?

[ck]

Aw here we go again, they have better schools so that's why they hammer us in Championship. It's a lazy argument usually made by the passive who grasp at easy excuses. How many Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan schools play in McRory Cup? Not many, yet are always up there competing.
The answer always starts and stops with the clubs. Certainly the schools can compliment a good club structure but they never replace it. Always looks at the clubs if you wants answers.

As for Saturday Vs Derry. I wasn't expecting a lot bit still felt disappointed. I read somewhere last night that Derry had 12 goal chances. The score board was more than kind to us and there was still 13 in it. I thought the players gave great effort but Antrim looked to be set up for damage limitation rather than having a go. Doran did a number of interviews after and apart from not looking too bothered about the result clearly stated that he wasn't expecting to win the game. I wonder did Westmeath, Leitrim or Wicklow have a similar approach or was it different?
On a positive note I thought Niall Burns was a joy to watch. Easily Antrims best player. I still maintain the players are there to be doing better but I guess the Tailteann is now where the year will be most harshly judged.

[Milltown Row2]

I didn't, unless someone can put it up that posters on here said Antrim would be in contention to win this game?

I'll stop quoting schools if people stop quoting Westmeath beaten finalists last year in Leinster, the odds were -3 for Meath away from home that I felt was generous.

Chalk and cheese, goal chances! Christ. The score at the end is what matters, McNabb had the game between the sticks we've become accustomed to, shot stopping saves, as Roy Keane would say, he did his job, they didn't

We are a depressive type of Gael in Antrim.. If there was a league for moaning Cnuts we'd be champions every year 

[bannside]

Depressing spell we are going through. Minors Under 20s seniors..its not easy bring an Antrim football supporter atm!

[AntrimRealist]

Doran had the team set up for damage limitation from the 1st minute. Keep possession at all costs-not one attempt at a two pointer when playing with the wind said it all

[SaffronSports]

Set them up to have a go, beat by 30 points... "did he really think they could win?" Constant gurning regardless of the situation.

[NatSoSaff]

This tripe about being x number of years off Derry in terms of conditioning, where does this waffle come from? They all looked fairly similar to me on Saturday, big strong athletic players across both panels. Where are you pulling these conditioning figures from? Have you seen test scores or max reps lifts or whatever it is they measure this stuff by?
It's a cop out. Those Antrim lads have been in gyms and on programs since their early teens like every other county. Derry players have come up through a much better standard of club coaching (by and large), much better/more competitive leagues, championships and fixture structures, and as a result they continually play at a much higher level on a sustained and consistent basis. That's it. Not the extra 2 mm Paudie Mcgrogans jersey sleeve stretches in comparison to Nial burns.

Wake up.

They are conditioned from secondary school up! The levels they play within just the schools never mind clubs is higher, the county has been bar one year in the top two leagues for many years, they obviously have better strength and conditioning when they are still fit after 65 minutes to run up and down the pitch and put in tackles, they have to be playing at that standard..

But I'm getting from your post you feel that's bullshit and Antrim should have been closer to derry or even winning?

We can't get out of div 4 this year but be in contention with Derry?

How in Gods name are you getting that I think we should have been closer to Derry? Just because I expressed my opinion that the conditioning excuse was bogus?

We shouldn't have been any closer to them. They are better footballers! A world of levels apart. That's it, not much deeper to dig unfortunately. They've been better coached as young kids right the way up, playing in stronger competitions, stronger schools against better opposition. Those are just the facts.

[Milltown Row2]

I'd question marks and asking the question.. so then you feel that we'd big lads they'd big lads and whatever strength and conditioning they were doing was the same as our lads?

I certainly didn't see that on the pitch

[paddyjohn]

Rinse and repeat.

I do know that a manager standing smiling after getting a tanking in an Ulster Senior championship game doesn't sit well with me.

[YoungSaff]

Think going off Saturday it was fairly evident a lot of our lads weren't good enough technically , I will not go through but some of he decision making an execution of basic skills was horrendous at times even when under no pressure.

If you can't get the basics right never mind the physicality and conditioning you are going to be in big trouble. Setting up to not get a pumping and very lucky Derry were off the boil or there could have been 6-7 goals easily

Hoping the Tailtean cup will be a bit more promising

[Níl a fhios agam]

Predictions for tonight...

Lurgan Reserves v City Mountain Men - Lurgan by 6

Bear Tits v Shams - Shams by 4

BT9'rs v Swamp Men - Prawn Sandwich Brigade by 3

Rossa v Pauls - Pauls by 2

Galls v County Champions - Galls by 10

Posh Swamp Men v Cant buy a Championship - Creggan by 4

The Midge Eaters v  AP McCoys Donkeys - Midge Eaters by 7

Most successful Club in Antrim v The least - Johnnies by 5

[Milltown Row2]

Predictions for tonight...

Lurgan Reserves v City Mountain Men - Lurgan by 6

Bear Tits v Shams - Shams by 4

BT9'rs v Swamp Men - Prawn Sandwich Brigade by 3

Rossa v Pauls - Pauls by 2

Galls v County Champions - Galls by 10

Posh Swamp Men v Cant buy a Championship - Creggan by 4

The Midge Eaters v  AP McCoys Donkeys - Midge Eaters by 7

Most successful Club in Antrim v The least - Johnnies by 5

Tomorrow?

[imtommygunn]

Will county players be playing for their club tonight?

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Predictions for tonight...

Lurgan Reserves v City Mountain Men - Lurgan by 6

Bear Tits v Shams - Shams by 4

BT9'rs v Swamp Men - Prawn Sandwich Brigade by 3

Rossa v Pauls - Pauls by 2

Galls v County Champions - Galls by 10

Posh Swamp Men v Cant buy a Championship - Creggan by 4

The Midge Eaters v  AP McCoys Donkeys - Midge Eaters by 7

Most successful Club in Antrim v The least - Johnnies by 5

Have to admire the time it took you to think that all up.