Antrim Football Thread

[Christmas Lights]

There has been some tankings given out in D1 this year. Time to end this experiment,  its just not right at all.

[Hoof Hearted]

There has been some tankings given out in D1 this year. Time to end this experiment,  its just not right at all.

Just look at the championship odds
That's 3 different divisions

[Hectic]

Do we know the championship paths beyond the group stage yet?

I think Cargin are rightly favourites but Creggan and possibly St Brigids will have a say.

Dunloy will depend on availability of key men, Portglenone just don't seem to have the mettle and while Aghagallon look far better stocked this year and will be interesting they will probably come up short as well. Galls worth keeping an eye on.

Don't think any of the others are in the conversation though LD have improved and have decent experience in the ranks- but wouldn't be parting with money there.

No idea why Rossa are so far up the betting - maybe due to their group.

[AllStar15]

Dont go worrying too much Gaels. Huge match for MG, meaningless run about for PG1.

Sean Boyd and Aidan McErlain impressive for Moneyglass, pace and ability to play at a higher level, imo.

Are you thinking of dipping back in to the transfer market?

[AllStar15]

Cargin, Creggan, Brids and PG1 all strong contenders.

The next group of Galls, Aghagallon, LD, Dunloy all have a chance of doing something this year with LD, Galls and Aghagallon improving a lot on last year - it's as wide open a championship as we have had in a long time.

[marty34]

Cargin, Creggan, Brids and PG1 all strong contenders.

The next group of Galls, Aghagallon, LD, Dunloy all have a chance of doing something this year with LD, Galls and Aghagallon improving a lot on last year - it's as wide open a championship as we have had in a long time.

Well...since last year anyway.

[Christmas Lights]

Looking down through the results from seniors to u16 games and the likes on the Antrim website,  are there only a handful of referees in the county? Seems to be the same names game in,  game out, they must be out 3 or 4 times a week?

I assume they get paid for this?

[Milltown Row2]

Looking down through the results from seniors to u16 games and the likes on the Antrim website,  are there only a handful of referees in the county? Seems to be the same names game in,  game out, they must be out 3 or 4 times a week?

I assume they get paid for this?

Expenses

Shortage of referees, no shortage of referees during match day though at the grounds 

[Saffron71]

Yea.  The amount of games some of those refs do per week plus school games (40/50 quid a game).  It's maybe worthwhile leaving the day job. 😅

[paddyjohn]

We have plenty of refs but only a handful of proper ones. 😉

[playwiththewind1st]

Yea.  The amount of games some of those refs do per week plus school games (40/50 quid a game).  It's maybe worthwhile leaving the day job. 😅

I don't recall seeing the name of any Antrim GAA referee when the Panama Papers were published!!

[bannside]

https://www.toalsbet.com/Sports/MatchBetting?eventid=Club%20Football%202026c799fb27-95a1-4752-a211-21d298b990fb&sport=GaaFootball

There you go, whatever tickles your fancy!

Suggesting the most wide open competition for years.

[Hectic]

Looking down through the results from seniors to u16 games and the likes on the Antrim website,  are there only a handful of referees in the county? Seems to be the same names game in,  game out, they must be out 3 or 4 times a week?

I assume they get paid for this?

Expenses

Shortage of referees, no shortage of referees during match day though at the grounds 

There is a shortage of referees of a high standard.

The regular appearance of poor ones gets people in attendance extremely frustrated.

I have seen experienced referees make decisions lately that are baffling and have had to go home and pick through the rules to make sure I am not losing it.

This leads to referees coming in for a lot of criticism which in turn makes the job look a poor attraction.

Of course there will be an element that are on a referees case from start to finish regardless.

And getting enough volunteers for a number of roles is a struggle for most clubs in the county.

And while I am at it - what is the story with guldering when lads are about to hit frees?

Like of Cargin and Portglenone are flat out at it and a few others as well. It's not shouting at the free taker but clearly deliberate as it's a roaring match 'watch the post' being a particular favourite.

Is that all acceptable because it's bloody obvious what the tactic is.

[Milltown Row2]

Looking down through the results from seniors to u16 games and the likes on the Antrim website,  are there only a handful of referees in the county? Seems to be the same names game in,  game out, they must be out 3 or 4 times a week?

I assume they get paid for this?

Expenses

Shortage of referees, no shortage of referees during match day though at the grounds 

There is a shortage of referees of a high standard.

The regular appearance of poor ones gets people in attendance extremely frustrated.

I have seen experienced referees make decisions lately that are baffling and have had to go home and pick through the rules to make sure I am not losing it.

This leads to referees coming in for a lot of criticism which in turn makes the job look a poor attraction.

Of course there will be an element that are on a referees case from start to finish regardless.

And getting enough volunteers for a number of roles is a struggle for most clubs in the county.

And while I am at it - what is the story with guldering when lads are about to hit frees?

Like of Cargin and Portglenone are flat out at it and a few others as well. It's not shouting at the free taker but clearly deliberate as it's a roaring match 'watch the post' being a particular favourite.

Is that all acceptable because it's bloody obvious what the tactic is.

So what are you saying?

You are blaming the referees for their calls in the game that justifies the abuse which in turn makes it unattractive for who? Potential brilliant referees?

There is just a shortage of referee's end off, its your judgement on the standards

As for someone shouting directly at the player taking a free, that's a simple one, ball is moved forward if it hasn't already, if it has its a yellow card.. But someone shouting watch the post is not the same as someone shouting abuse, and if a player is put off by that, I'd change the kicker

If someone went to watch a game as a neutral, they'll see less 'mistakes' by the ref than going to their own teams games

[Hectic]

I'm not really arriving at any conclusions - just observations unless you count highlighting sub standard referees as a conclusion.

Nor am I justifying abuse but a poor refereeing performance will frustrate those in attendance. Personally I don't believe shouting at a poor referee will make them any better.

That's interesting about the shouting when frees are about to be hit. So basically shout as much as you want when a lad is hitting a free as long as it is not directly aimed at him.

Maybe I should be congratulating teams fully exploiting that loophole now you have clarified.

If the free taker gets put off by shouting it is the players fault and needs to be stood down from the role.

But if a referee is making a balls of his job suck it up.