Antrim Hurling

[Hirty Darry]

I make Cushendall favourites - not because of the relative ability of the teams/squads which a fairly well matched but because Cushendall have got the upper hand mentally over the last couple of years which will be at least as important as anything on the day.

You have to remember that an unfancied Loughgiel U21 team took Cushendall right to the wire this year (stole it at the death in fact).  This was a very strong Cushendall team full of "young stars" that will be playing on Sunday.   The young Loughgiel players would have the mental edge there and in all fairness have held their own at Senior level to date.

The mental edge thing would be fine if things remained relatively unchanged but a Cushendall team going in to a Championship Final with out the services of 2 of arguably their top 3/4 players over the past number of years is certainly not going to give them any more "mental strength" - it does however ease the pressure a bit.

If Cushendall win it will be seen as the young boys coming through well and they delivered but if they lose - sure we were missing Arron & Shane, it will take the young boys time to gain experience senior level, Neil wasn't back that long.

The pressure is fully on the Shamrocks to deliver, full panel to choose from, I was quoted by someone it is the best panel in Ulster - some are already looking forward to another All-Ireland campaign, therefore there should be no excuses winning Antrim against a depleted Cushendall side.

Anything but a Shamrocks win for everyone in Loughgiel will be total devastation. 

Playing things down SIE isn't going to excuse these facts.

Rubbish .......Shane McNaughton  (All Ireland final aside) has been poor the past few seasons. Loughiel have as many young talented hurlers as Cushendal. Damon, Cathal, Maol, Wee Betty, James. How have they the mental edge if they lost?

Shane McNaughton has been a thorn in the side to Loughgiel over the years, it would be fair enough to say his form has been patchy but as they say and as you have highlighted you are only as good as your last game!

Of course Loughgiel have as many talented hurlers as Cushendall, very good point.

So much talent and strength in depth that out of the five you have named, Loughgiel will have the luxury of only starting 2 out of the 5 based on the semi-final.

[theskull1]

We get it Hirty ffs 

[Hirty Darry]

We get it Hirty ffs 

Just a bit banter Skull, you know the old craic - if people want to reply or comment on my posts, I only feel it fair to respond! :-)

[Milltown Row2]

We get it Hirty ffs 

Just a bit banter Skull, you know the old craic - if people want to reply or comment on my posts, I only feel it fair to respond! :-)

Do you fancy your team or not?

[Hirty Darry]

We get it Hirty ffs 

Just a bit banter Skull, you know the old craic - if people want to reply or comment on my posts, I only feel it fair to respond! :-)

Do you fancy your team or not?

I am worried.

[theskull1]

Anybody going into a county final will have apprehensions about what way the game might go regardless whether you hold the favorites tag or not.

[Milltown Row2]

When two teams are close then its down to whoever is putting on the most money (at the bookies) that decides who are the favs for the game... so by that logic the Loughgiel betting public and neutrals who fancy them are waging on them thus making them favs!!!

Phew stop looking at the bookies and trust your own judgement on what they have delivered so far!

[theskull1]

I see what you did there ... ya crafty hoor

[Seamroga in exile]

Soothsayers and mind readers the lot of ye!!

I said a score. Not a point. 

I've never ruled loughgiel out of anything actually. And I haven't this year either. I've had Cushendall favourites the last couple of years, correctly I might add, and have again this year going on recent championship form. Apart from a few rare occasions there hasnt been much between the teams in finals. Could go either way. A fair enough assessment i believe.

[Milltown Row2]

Soothsayers and mind readers the lot of ye!!

I said a score. Not a point. 

I've never ruled loughgiel out of anything actually. And I haven't this year either. I've had Cushendall favourites the last couple of years, correctly I might add, and have again this year going on recent championship form. Apart from a few rare occasions there hasnt been much between the teams in finals. Could go either way. A fair enough assessment i believe.

Im going for a draw then!

[Seamroga in exile]

Soothsayers and mind readers the lot of ye!!

I said a score. Not a point. 

I've never ruled loughgiel out of anything actually. And I haven't this year either. I've had Cushendall favourites the last couple of years, correctly I might add, and have again this year going on recent championship form. Apart from a few rare occasions there hasnt been much between the teams in finals. Could go either way. A fair enough assessment i believe.

Im going for a draw then!

Not out of the question.

[bogieman]

A draw is a good bet, 15/2.
Or there should only be a point in it, not a score... 
Anyways, the shamrocks are favorites

https://sports.paddypower.mobi/#sport/67/competition/12010/event/11199732

[paddyjohn]

I just saw Aaron Griffin walking through Ballymena after buying new boots!

[Sleeping giant]

I just saw Aaron Griffin walking through Ballymena after buying new boots!

Shane Mc Naughton with him no doubt!!     best of luck to the hurlers and management team tomorrow.   the better team will win. 

[paddyjohn]

I just saw Aaron Griffin walking through Ballymena after buying new boots!

Shane Mc Naughton with him no doubt!!     best of luck to the hurlers and management team tomorrow.   the better team will win.

Shane was in Maureen's eating a burger. 👍😂

Hoping for a good game, hopefully it dries up a bit.