Antrim Football Thread

[johnnycool]

The GAA has a centralised command structure even moreso now since the debacle of Páirc Uí Chaoimh and with that every single deed of every single GAA property resides with Croke Park.

You can't do shit to your property if you're taking out loans without CP or Ulster Council approval, especially government grants.

Even the trustees for each club will include the county secretary and the provincial secretary.

As for Casement, it was really shoddily handled by a lot of people, some have rode off into the sunset and a certain Ryan from the Ulster council and a curly haired SF MLA need to take a lot of the blame for trying to push through a totally over the top stadium in an area it was totally unsuitable for.
The residents have probably did everyone a favour as their objections and delays ended up with the H&S issue coming to light.
Deciding to try and use a pathway down to the Kennedy way roundabout as one of the main routes out of the stadium was hardly a flyer.
We can blame unionist intransigence all we like and that didn't help get those listed above out of this mess of their own making but it's not the main reason the place is still a building site almost 20 years later.

[imtommygunn]

Exactly this. I think those two people were trying to make a name for themselves then rode off into the sunset. We shouldn't have given it away yes. It's just a complete shitshow with no sign of changing any time soon.

[Sportacus]

What really gets under my skin is the photoshoots and 'big talk' from GAA officials and politicians.  It really f**king irritates me. A generation of spoofers. Really is hard to believe here we are heading for 2027 and nothing to show for it.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

What might not be known to people, or what they might forget....

When was Casement Park signed over to Ulster GAA?

It was this side of Covid, if that helps.

A shameful day for our county.

Did anyone get an opportunity to discuss it? Were the trustees acting on our behalf? Is it acceptable that such a monetary asset/such a landmass at the heart of Antrim GAA is transferred to another's possession without discussion.

We have been had here. Or, at least, allowed ourselves to be had.
Embarrassing

[whatwillbwillb]

The GAA has a centralised command structure even moreso now since the debacle of Páirc Uí Chaoimh and with that every single deed of every single GAA property resides with Croke Park.

You can't do shit to your property if you're taking out loans without CP or Ulster Council approval, especially government grants.

Even the trustees for each club will include the county secretary and the provincial secretary.

As for Casement, it was really shoddily handled by a lot of people, some have rode off into the sunset and a certain Ryan from the Ulster council and a curly haired SF MLA need to take a lot of the blame for trying to push through a totally over the top stadium in an area it was totally unsuitable for.
The residents have probably did everyone a favour as their objections and delays ended up with the H&S issue coming to light.
Deciding to try and use a pathway down to the Kennedy way roundabout as one of the main routes out of the stadium was hardly a flyer.
We can blame unionist intransigence all we like and that didn't help get those listed above out of this mess of their own making but it's not the main reason the place is still a building site almost 20 years later.

" When the Axe came into the woods, many of the trees said, At least he's one of Us" , well said JC the list would be long and distinguished.

[Torcrua]

The GAA has a centralised command structure even moreso now since the debacle of Páirc Uí Chaoimh and with that every single deed of every single GAA property resides with Croke Park.

You can't do shit to your property if you're taking out loans without CP or Ulster Council approval, especially government grants.

Even the trustees for each club will include the county secretary and the provincial secretary.

As for Casement, it was really shoddily handled by a lot of people, some have rode off into the sunset and a certain Ryan from the Ulster council and a curly haired SF MLA need to take a lot of the blame for trying to push through a totally over the top stadium in an area it was totally unsuitable for.
The residents have probably did everyone a favour as their objections and delays ended up with the H&S issue coming to light.
Deciding to try and use a pathway down to the Kennedy way roundabout as one of the main routes out of the stadium was hardly a flyer.
We can blame unionist intransigence all we like and that didn't help get those listed above out of this mess of their own making but it's not the main reason the place is still a building site almost 20 years later.

" When the Axe came into the woods, many of the trees said, At least he's one of Us" , well said JC the list would be long and distinguished.

This is the part of the whole saga that doesn't get nearly enough attention.

Forget the politics and the planning for a minute. How does a county end up transferring control of its most valuable asset without a proper, transparent debate among the clubs? For something as significant as Casement, every club in Antrim should have known exactly what was being transferred, what guarantees were being secured in return, and what protections existed if the project stalled.

Instead, Antrim effectively gave away its biggest bargaining chip and became dependent on others delivering on promises. That's not hindsight—that's basic governance.

The biggest question remains unanswered: what legally binding safeguards did Antrim receive in exchange? If the answer is "very few", then it was one of the poorest governance decisions in the county's history.

Casement should still be Antrim's county ground. Partnership with Ulster GAA is one thing; surrendering control without robust protections is another altogether.

[JimStynes]

Can Ulster GAA not just give it back to Antrim

[bannside]

Wicklow went on to win the Tailteean Cup and you could see what it means to them. Could of/should have comes to mind - can we find 10% extra next year and have another proper rattle at it.

Unpopular as this might sound, but that and getting into Div 3 and staying there for a while is the height of our ambition for the forseeable future.

[Sportacus]

What might not be known to people, or what they might forget....

When was Casement Park signed over to Ulster GAA?

It was this side of Covid, if that helps.

A shameful day for our county.

Did anyone get an opportunity to discuss it? Were the trustees acting on our behalf? Is it acceptable that such a monetary asset/such a landmass at the heart of Antrim GAA is transferred to another's possession without discussion.

We have been had here. Or, at least, allowed ourselves to be had.
Embarrassing

Really? This just gets worse.

[imtommygunn]

Glenravel and sarsfields won so randalstown and money glass now in the final.

[Hoof Hearted]

Glenravel and sarsfields won so randalstown and money glass now in the final.

Listen, this league doesn't lie
The 2 worst teams this year play off for a place in div1/2

Although, in a different season, it could easily have been the 4 teams above them playing off.
Hence, structure needs looking at it
1A and 1B has to be the way to go
I think 2 and 3 is OK the way it is.

But, for now, it is what it is.


But it is what it is now.

[Hectic]

I was looking at the league table recently and thinking you would have a 1a and 1b there that should be reasonably competitive based on exact finishing positions this year.

Might not be the top 8 teams in championship mode (though maybe not far off) as the league season presents different challenges for different clubs e.g. county commitments, dual commitments etc.

But the league table is a fair reflection of what the league season looks like for all.

[Hoof Hearted]

Boyle sports (don't gamble kids)

Cargin 5/2
Dunloy 3/1
Creggan 4/1
Portglenone 9/2
St Brigids 9/2
Aghagallon 8/1
Lamh Dhearg 11/1
St Galls 12/1
O Donovan Rossa 14/1
St Johns 33/1
All Saints 40/1
Tir Na Nog 66/1
Sarsfields 100/1
Con Magees Glenravel 100/1
Moneyglass 150/1
St Pauls 150/1

As they always say, bookies are rarely wrong
Only one they struggled with was st galls/rossa which i think is a more and 2 point betting swing
Would have SG above Ld imo

[Christmas Lights]

Portglenone is where the value is there. Worth £100 at that price.

[bannside]

Definitely not value.For that to work out....

4/6 to get out of a tough group with LD and Aghagallon sharing similar aspirations.

1/1 in a tough QF
1/1 in a tough semi
1/1 in a final

A £1 accum would be 12/1. So definitely not value.

Wide wide open this year.