Antrim Hurling

[Antrim Coaster]

If the current management are to remain, which I think they will, then they really do need to get the tactics and set up right.

Why was Simon McCrory playing at corner back when he is a superb No.5. and wasn't utilized there. Other lads played out of position..

Re Aaron Graffin - superb hurler for club and county without doubt.

TBH if Antrim are to be considered as part of the new hurling proposals and placed in the section along with Carlow, Laois etc then management really do need to get things sorted on that front.

I don't think that Antrim are ready to step up to that level yet and would need another year in the Christy Ring where Derry are lying in wait ready to have a crack. With the Sleachtneil lads on board I reckon they'll be a handful next season.

I wouldn't be surprised if Carlow will take Laois in the next round.

[johnneycool]

If the current management are to remain, which I think they will, then they really do need to get the tactics and set up right.

Why was Simon McCrory playing at corner back when he is a superb No.5. and wasn't utilized there. Other lads played out of position..

Re Aaron Graffin - superb hurler for club and county without doubt.

TBH if Antrim are to be considered as part of the new hurling proposals and placed in the section along with Carlow, Laois etc then management really do need to get things sorted on that front.

I don't think that Antrim are ready to step up to that level yet and would need another year in the Christy Ring where Derry are lying in wait ready to have a crack. With the Sleachtneil lads on board I reckon they'll be a handful next season.

I wouldn't be surprised if Carlow will take Laois in the next round.

Antrim won't be in the CR if the new hurling championship proposals get the go ahead.

Strange decision by Antrim management to parachute a lad in considering their big thing all winter and spring was dedication to the cause. I'm sure the lads who were usurped weren't at all pleased even if Graffin is a fantastic hurler on his day.

[Antrim Coaster]

Thing about it Johnney, the Christy Ring is Antrim's level at present and if they are to play in the CR next season there is absolutely no guarantee they will win it

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

Antrim have failed to win at 2 times of asking.

They are Christy Ring level at the minute. Derry Versus Antrim next year will be a good game if Collie McGurk gets another year at it.

But no doubt the begrudgers in Derry will work against him.

[Franko]

Think Derry could be a couple of years away from consistently challenging Antrim/Carlow etc - but if they keep that squad together, it's there for the taking.  As for the begrudgers, you're dead right.  One look at the Derry thread will show you the sort of wankbags floating about Derry at the minute.

[north_antrim_hound]

How many players on that Carlow team are from Carlow?

All of them are from Carlow. We don't and never have done a Kildare and brought in outsiders.

Fair play
Have many played under DJ for That successful Carlow IT team
I heard they have been playing some good challenge matches leading up to the final as well
Well done to all involved, no questioning who the better team was

[paddyjohn]

Think Derry could be a couple of years away from consistently challenging Antrim/Carlow etc - but if they keep that squad together, it's there for the taking.  As for the begrudgers, you're dead right.  One look at the Derry thread will show you the sort of wankbags floating about Derry at the minute.

It's terrible some of the shit that's being posted. Makes you realise why nobody likes them lol

[imtommygunn]

Irrespective of saturday management have got everyone pulling together and are doing a good job. We're not a premier league football club and have had enough churn anyway.

There was a big difference in standard of the two games saturday so derry have a bit to go yet but with these proposals i don't think antrim will be in the ring though it is our level at present.

[stevecw]

How many players on that Carlow team are from Carlow?

All of them are from Carlow. We don't and never have done a Kildare and brought in outsiders.

Fair play
Have many played under DJ for That successful Carlow IT team
I heard they have been playing some good challenge matches leading up to the final as well
Well done to all involved, no questioning who the better team was

Just 2 of the team were part of DJ's IT Carlow side. James Doyle who got 4 of the goals on Saturday and Marty Kavanagh who got the other 1. Playing at that high of a level in Fitzgibbon Cup has brought these lads on a lot.

Thanks, we were obviously by far the better side on Saturday after a very even 1st 20 minutes. But I think some posters on here are being very harsh on Antrim.
After all Antrim only lost 1 of the 4 games v Carlow this year, and got promotion to 1B. That's not a bad season at all. Definitely a much improved side compared to last year and will only get better playing in 1B next year.

[north_antrim_hound]

How many players on that Carlow team are from Carlow?

All of them are from Carlow. We don't and never have done a Kildare and brought in outsiders.

Fair play
Have many played under DJ for That successful Carlow IT team
I heard they have been playing some good challenge matches leading up to the final as well
Well done to all involved, no questioning who the better team was

Just 2 of the team were part of DJ's IT Carlow side. James Doyle who got 4 of the goals on Saturday and Marty Kavanagh who got the other 1. Playing at that high of a level in Fitzgibbon Cup has brought these lads on a lot.

Thanks, we were obviously by far the better side on Saturday after a very even 1st 20 minutes. But I think some posters on here are being very harsh on Antrim.
After all Antrim only lost 1 of the 4 games v Carlow this year, and got promotion to 1B. That's not a bad season at all. Definitely a much improved side compared to last year and will only get better playing in 1B next year.

I reckonend Doyle was one of them but couldn't remember
And here is the real crux of the problems in Antrim
Our good underage players are not getting enough game time at that level
We don't even take the u21 competition seriously, not even a manager in place yet
Competitive counties have been training since Christmas
Not all managerial commitment problems , The players are non committal as well
They never showed  up for training for the competition  even when Kevin Ryan was eager to prepare them
We are at this level for a reason
Carlow are making steady progress and getting more competitive at minor and u21
Throw in Fitzgibbon cup and good geography in terms of challange matches and things are looking good
Still apart from dealing with Doyle and kavanagh last Saturday we have other problems
Looked of the pace and the ball to put forwards was bad
We struggled in nearly every position
Thought young Rooney and Clark and to lesser extent Mc Manus where the only players up to standard

[imtommygunn]

Stevecw antrim fans are a harsh bunch! You guys have really upped your game and fair play to you. Your number 11 kavanagh was unmarkable and doyle's 4 goals speaks for itself. Your number 14 might want to a bit less theatrical though!

Nah i am glad someone else is saying the same about rooney. I thought he did ok. We have a long way to go but in the same way as a big win won't make us world beaters a loss like this doesn't make us doesn't make us the worst in the world.

Hopefully some kind of lessons will be learnt but we'll see.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

i was impressed with Carlow on sat. they were the better team on the day and we could of played them for another hour and still never of got close to them. Fair play to Carlow as, like Antrim, they are a county that is make good progress in terms of their senior county team.

Next years Championship set up will be good and competitive with all those teams all around the same level as each other.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

i see the two results there from the reserve and senior match between Ballycastle and Loughgiel. Were ballycastle missing a lot of players or how did that happen? i know in the reserves they have been struggling for nos but i didnt think at senior level they would be taking a beating like that.

Was at our game yday over in Cmills. Was competitive enough for the opening 10 mins where both teams traded points but once we got the goal it seemed to knock the life out of Cmills. was very flat paced after that but 26 points, nearly all from play, is a good return

[Usain]

I was looking at results from Division 1.

B'Castle played Lgiel twice in a matter of days and got two fairly serious beatings. What's going on there? Big rivalry and I wouldn't have thought there was so much between the two sides. Town facing relegation by looks of it.

[TheGeneral]

Ballycastle would be missing several of there seniors from the last couple years.

Couple lads in Australia, A couple in america etc.

and with regards their Reserves, any of the reserves that would have been reserves have been called upon to hurl senior.