Antrim Hurling

[clootfromthe21]

Yes u15s won as well.  Made 13 changes in the last 15 minute period to give all 30 of the squad a run out and KK scored 4-2, up until that point they had scored 1-5 to Antrim's 2-10.  Out hurled KK in all aspects of the game for the 60 minute period.

Limerick were due to travel also but unfortunately could not come in the end. However our develpoment coaches and admin staff have solid links there and Limerick have instead offered to host two of our development squads for an overnight trip involving games and coaching sessions - which we will be taking up.

Saturday was a great day for our young hurling squads - stern tests for all and in most cases Antrim performed very well. The work going on at this level is huge, and will pay dividends long term. Saturday's activities were financially supported by the members of the One Antrim scheme - thats where the money is being primarily targeted, it is worth getting on board.


Not to forget the footballers; both U16 and U17 teams beat Down on Saturday before each losing to Donegal.

All great to hear Brendan! I think everyone on the board would support all of this!
In keeping with tradition can we also start discriminating against some Loughgiel lads? (Sorry SiE - u know i jest)
Maybe throw a city lad off for some indiscipline at an away game also?

Can I ask - Is the focus on the best players at this level only?

My feeling is the same as at senior - we need a broader base to sustain and push the standard.

I mean, the best players at juvenile don't always develop to be the best in senior (in all counties) so we can't neglect currently lesser players who might develop better by senior.

Not an just an Antrim issue i know - I suppose its the subtle difference between a county squad, and a county development squad.
If we concentrate on the players who happen to be the best at that point in time - ultimately it might not 'develop' hurling at all by senior should that smaller focus not come through.

Stronger players at stronger players have the best chance here, but to develop maybe some focus on "lesser" players at "lesser" club might help.

Genuine question.

I think the focus has to be on the best players at this level. In a world of unlimited resources (both money and coaches) of course it would be better to spread those resources equally across all clubs but in Antrim we have neither the money nor the pool of coaches to do that. We also have the issue highlighted by Johnny of geographical isolation which compounds expense which (Down apart) nobody else has.

By focusing on an elite and putting scarce resources into such a group, we can persuade a group of 14/15/16 year olds (and the rest of the county) that they can be the match of anybody in the country.  Of course many will drop out and not become senior "stars" but if we can create a culture of matching and indeed beating the "big" counties at underage level, that can only be good for the game in the county. It can only attract more people to play.

From the lists of squad members that you can find on various sites, the squads certainly don't appear to be the preserve of the big clubs. I think I read somewhere that the 35 members of the under 15 squad come from 16 different clubs. While anybody coming up through a squad will obviously have a huge advantage, I think it is important that membership is reviewed every year and there is at least a possibility of someone playing their way onto a team.

[Milltown Row2]

MR2 - have you been referreeing this year? How have you found the standard with the developing clubs? The Ahoghills, the Sarsfields and the Cloughmills of this world?

Gaels have lifted it a gear I've noticed they have a bigger squad also, still the main guys playing but more experienced, Sarsfields have kicked on from last also, they have a great 15 and Kevo's lads are very good with McKenna taking good scores, they will only improve. Was disappointed with Cloughmills last year, they looked good in parts but I actually played against them (thats how short we were that day) and beat them. Creggan are the team that has improved the most, refereed them last year and they have done well in the league so far this year.

Hopefully these teams lift the other teams in their leagues, always a good thing when everybody raises the standard, which hasn't been the case in the div 1 football over the past 10 years

[theskull1]

Late developers from the strong clubs will be getting a decent standard of coaching there and as has been said, we currently haven't got the right numbers of boots on the ground to take these teams or the finance (could it improve if we raise the level of our ambition? Maybe). I do think lads with potential but with raw stickwork from weaker clubs (where the coaching effort/standards wouldn't be the same) should be given some sort of dispensation (if thats the right term? Minder will set me straight) which allowed them to stay onboard with development squads to iron out their stickwork.

I wish more from our club would commit to the development squads. I think they're doing a very good job

[btdtgtt]

Resources is a fair point - I can imagine the problems faced. It's the same everywhere unfortunately.

My point is just that I think we lose so many hurlers from weaker clubs - whilst the current development squads concentrate on players already getting quality coaching in the big clubs or schools.

Casting the net wider will ultimately produce some hurlers that otherwise we'd lose - whereas we wouldn't be at so much of a risk of losing the better ones from the better clubs. Proper development might focus behind the high levels already catered for.

But it's very true - a matter of volunteers & resources etc restricts the capability for all things at all times. I'm sure there's many a coach cursing my point when they're already working hard against the tide!

[Bonamargy]

MR2 - have you been referreeing this year? How have you found the standard with the developing clubs? The Ahoghills, the Sarsfields and the Cloughmills of this world?

Gaels have lifted it a gear I've noticed they have a bigger squad also, still the main guys playing but more experienced, Sarsfields have kicked on from last also, they have a great 15 and Kevo's lads are very good with McKenna taking good scores, they will only improve. Was disappointed with Cloughmills last year, they looked good in parts but I actually played against them (thats how short we were that day) and beat them. Creggan are the team that has improved the most, refereed them last year and they have done well in the league so far this year.

Hopefully these teams lift the other teams in their leagues, always a good thing when everybody raises the standard, which hasn't been the case in the div 1 football over the past 10 years

Carey are catching the eye up here, they have a very young mobile team and big McCormick has them well drilled. They had a draw with Rossa last outing and beat Glenariff handy enough the game before that. They play Cloughmills tomorrow night so will be interesting to see how that goes. Could be pushing for division 1 after narrowly missing out in league and championship last year.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

it seems that div2 is becoming more and more competitive which is great to see. St galls have done great since their set up and the same with Sarsfields.

i will be honest and say i thought they would get hammered most games but they have proved me wrong, something which im glad to say! long may it continue.

sucess boosts a club and a group of players along with that drive to compete at higher levels. Creggan look like they have the bit between their teeth, same with Cloney, to push up to that higher level. the only factor that could hold them is being a dual club thats primary game is football. its not easy to make both the main aim. St Johns do it well so theres no reason other clubs cant.

[NAG1]

it seems that div2 is becoming more and more competitive which is great to see. St galls have done great since their set up and the same with Sarsfields.

i will be honest and say i thought they would get hammered most games but they have proved me wrong, something which im glad to say! long may it continue.

sucess boosts a club and a group of players along with that drive to compete at higher levels. Creggan look like they have the bit between their teeth, same with Cloney, to push up to that higher level. the only factor that could hold them is being a dual club thats primary game is football. its not easy to make both the main aim. St Johns do it well so theres no reason other clubs cant.

DR I suppose that depends on your definition of well really. In success terms alone then you would have to say at senior level they are and have been failing.

But I do understand the point that you are making.

[btdtgtt]

Agree with both DR & NAG.
Dual clubs = "success" is relative.
Being competitive or being in division 1 is not the same as actually winning anything. Or even getting close to it!

[theskull1]

If you've alot of dual players, the facts bear out that you get mediocrity* in both if you try to achieve in both at the same time

mediocrity being a level below where you could be if you focused solely on one code. Others will have an opinion on what defines success for them. I wouldn't be a fan of mediocrity myself

[Milltown Row2]

If you've alot of dual players, the facts bear out that you get mediocrity* in both if you try to achieve in both at the same time

mediocrity being a level below where you could be if you focused solely on one code. Others will have an opinion on what defines success for them. I wouldn't be a fan of mediocrity myself

one all Ireland win with countless senior titles for a dual club in one code and mediocrity in another code is not bad. Most clubs would bite your arm off for that. Hopefully we can get some hurling success this year.

[theskull1]

If you've alot of dual players, the facts bear out that you get mediocrity* in both if you try to achieve in both at the same time

mediocrity being a level below where you could be if you focused solely on one code. Others will have an opinion on what defines success for them. I wouldn't be a fan of mediocrity myself

one all Ireland win with countless senior titles for a dual club in one code and mediocrity in another code is not bad. Most clubs would bite your arm off for that. Hopefully we can get some hurling success this year.

I agree. Its not bad at all.

Not sure why its a reply to the point that I made though as it bears no relation to what I was saying. 

[btdtgtt]

If you've alot of dual players, the facts bear out that you get mediocrity* in both if you try to achieve in both at the same time

mediocrity being a level below where you could be if you focused solely on one code. Others will have an opinion on what defines success for them. I wouldn't be a fan of mediocrity myself

Couldn't agree more skull. Precisely correct!

MR2 the point is with reference to hurling - not the whole club.
St galls are the in fact the foremost example of mediocrity in hurling because of football.

[Milltown Row2]

If you've alot of dual players, the facts bear out that you get mediocrity* in both if you try to achieve in both at the same time

mediocrity being a level below where you could be if you focused solely on one code. Others will have an opinion on what defines success for them. I wouldn't be a fan of mediocrity myself

Couldn't agree more skull. Precisely correct!

MR2 the point is with reference to hurling - not the whole club.
St galls are the in fact the foremost example of mediocrity in hurling because of football.

We'll see

[btdtgtt]

If you've alot of dual players, the facts bear out that you get mediocrity* in both if you try to achieve in both at the same time

mediocrity being a level below where you could be if you focused solely on one code. Others will have an opinion on what defines success for them. I wouldn't be a fan of mediocrity myself

Couldn't agree more skull. Precisely correct!

MR2 the point is with reference to hurling - not the whole club.
St galls are the in fact the foremost example of mediocrity in hurling because of football.

We'll see

We have already seen.

Skull hit the nail on the head.

[Milltown Row2]

If you've alot of dual players, the facts bear out that you get mediocrity* in both if you try to achieve in both at the same time

mediocrity being a level below where you could be if you focused solely on one code. Others will have an opinion on what defines success for them. I wouldn't be a fan of mediocrity myself

Couldn't agree more skull. Precisely correct!

MR2 the point is with reference to hurling - not the whole club.
St galls are the in fact the foremost example of mediocrity in hurling because of football.

Yes we have never achieved anything of note in hurling, and for the players we have that can hurl we have been overshadowed by an extremely successfull football team, I thought the initial point was that if you are dual you won't be successfull in either code. That's not the case Dunloy and ourselves and to a certain point Rossa/st Johns a few years ago where doing it well on both fronts, winning senior championships in one code and holding their own in another. Being a Gael is getting the games played supportted and promoted, the winning is a what comes along to all clubs at some point in their history and its what drives them on. I've lost a bitta love for it as I've just about stopped playing and it hurts, the refereeing still gives me that wee buzz but the gurnning cnuts that mouth the whole time in a match would sicken your hole .

Anyways, I see we were unlucky last nict away to the ports ffs!! Cushendall and Loughgiel served up a draw and the other games went to plan I think, Paddies put up a decent fight against Ballycastle also. All very interesting