Antrim Hurling

[Milltown Row2]

Mark O'Neill is the best referee I've seen this year and did an excellent job of the U21 final. I've also been very impressed with a lad from Glenravel, Ryan O'Reilly, who is very much in the same mould as Mark, quietly going about the job and barely noticeable in the games I've seen him ref. Not one of the big names, but very good IMO.

+1

[saffron89]

know a glenravel referee but not sure if he is ryan O'reilly the guy im thinking of is carrying a little bit of timber, no slant just trying to place this ryan fellow

hear the u21 boys are starting training etc soon with seniors a good few have been contacted

only worry I have with the shams was the poor performance in the half back line and midfield

will side with the ex all Ireland champions on this one.  reckon they will win by 3.  cushendall and their young lads will have to wait another year.  loughgiel don't have much on the conveyor belt for the next while as far as I can see.  that was a particularly strong minor outfit that were victorious.   however some will drift away and others will play senior with their own clubs I assume i.e. cushendun

[paddyjohn]

Played in games that Ryan & Aidan reffed, 2 super refs & go quietly about it and can have a smile with players to.

Whatever happened Herbie McAuley?

[Milltown Row2]

Played in games that Ryan & Aidan reffed, 2 super refs & go quietly about it and can have a smile with players to.

Whatever happened Herbie McAuley?

Aye right enough, really liked Herbie's style

[btdtgtt]

I don't get any argument about loughgiel being too old.

Forget about age - fitness and hunger matters.
They have it in abundance.

The age thing is a county issue - and it's got more to do with time available than anything else.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

The age thing won't matter this weekend lads, I'm speaking more in the next few years. Players legs go, you know it yourself if your like me and in your 30's. it's not easy staying fit.

I've always stated that I think lgiel are a good team but the reality is the success will stop in a few years time, the same as it did for us. Lgiels best players are their oldest ones. Ding, DD, Liam, johnny, Barney are all more or less coming to the end of a great career. Can they replace players like that? You can't simple as.

I'm looking more in the long term and I see the dall being stronger next year and the year after. They won't lose many strong players whereas lgiel will.

[theskull1]

I think you are way off the mark DR. If you had the lean years that those lads had you'd enjoy all the potential good ones. You're also ignoring a fair few of their central players whove a fair few years in them. Loughgiel are winning on merit. Anyone who wants to win against them will have to put it up to a serious team who know what they're about. The dall are too light both in frame and fragility for the likes of Loughgiel (not trying to demean their obvious potential...they beat us afterall). They're a good team but not championship material in my book

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

i know what your saying skull. we did it for years but you know yourself that when the core of your team goes due to age you cant replace those great players with players similar sitting on a bench. it isnt that easy to do. lgiel dont have it coming up through from under age and havent had it for a few years now. we are the same.
cdall on the other hand are a young team blending youth in well eg natty, campbell. ok they may be light this year but the next few years will be better for them.

[theskull1]

You don't have to be winning championships at juvenile to have players with good potential. Loughgiel have players with good potential at U14 U16 U18 and U21. 

[north aontroim gael]

You don't have to be winning championships at juvenile to have players with good potential. Loughgiel have players with good potential at U14 U16 U18 and U21.

The average age of Loughgiel's outfield starting team on Sunday was 27.  As someone else stated I think age is more of a factor at inter county level.  Hopefully this team will be around for some considerable time yet.

[johnneycool]

You don't have to be winning championships at juvenile to have players with good potential. Loughgiel have players with good potential at U14 U16 U18 and U21.

The average age of Loughgiel's outfield starting team on Sunday was 27.  As someone else stated I think age is more of a factor at inter county level.  Hopefully this team will be around for some considerable time yet.

DD as a keeper can go on for a few more years, Watson must be 33 or 34 now and if he looks after himself would be a threat at club level for a few more years yet, ditto Ding. TBH if the older guard can avoid injuries they've a few more years left in them yet.
Age wouldn't be a concern for Loughgeil just yet.

[north aontroim gael]

You don't have to be winning championships at juvenile to have players with good potential. Loughgiel have players with good potential at U14 U16 U18 and U21.

The average age of Loughgiel's outfield starting team on Sunday was 27.  As someone else stated I think age is more of a factor at inter county level.  Hopefully this team will be around for some considerable time yet.

DD as a keeper can go on for a few more years, Watson must be 33 or 34 now and if he looks after himself would be a threat at club level for a few more years yet, ditto Ding. TBH if the older guard can avoid injuries they've a few more years left in them yet.
Age wouldn't be a concern for Loughgeil just yet.

Winker turns 31 shortly.

[johnneycool]

You don't have to be winning championships at juvenile to have players with good potential. Loughgiel have players with good potential at U14 U16 U18 and U21.

The average age of Loughgiel's outfield starting team on Sunday was 27.  As someone else stated I think age is more of a factor at inter county level.  Hopefully this team will be around for some considerable time yet.

DD as a keeper can go on for a few more years, Watson must be 33 or 34 now and if he looks after himself would be a threat at club level for a few more years yet, ditto Ding. TBH if the older guard can avoid injuries they've a few more years left in them yet.
Age wouldn't be a concern for Loughgeil just yet.

Winker turns 31 shortly.

I suppose he's been on the go from an early age.

Is Joey Scullion a bit younger then?

[imtommygunn]

Scullion would be no more than 27/28 I reckon. DD Quinn about 34/35 and Gillan about 35/36. Johnny Campbell must be 30 then? I don't think he's as old as people reckon.

Cushendall fairly young too. McKeegan the oldest.

Dunloy still have a few older guys hanging round I think. The Richmonds and Micky McClements must be low 30s at least.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Liam's 36. Paddy I think 33, Micky 32. They are the oldest members. The rest are 19-27 bracket which is grand for us to work with. The core of the team won't change much for the next 6 years.