Antrim Hurling

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

https://punditarena.com/gaa/conor-mckenna/gaa-hurling-power-rankings/?fbclid=IwAR1xOPot8YKc_Uxhjc4OsZnnrKbm4XFbE2XQIBG4EAHIq03PP6RsFz2WybU

Lazy analysis if they think Antrim's relative  success is anything to do with money ploughed in from Croke Park (although in fairness they don't explicitly say that).

Has money really put in and what is it being spent on?

Gaelfast

[bannside]

Very lazy analysis indeed. It's a long way from Gaelfast to anything remotely happening at development squad level, never mind senior activity.

It has been a fantastic year for Antrim hurling, the icing on the cake would be to topple the Dubs and be competitive against Galway.

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

Very lazy analysis indeed. It's a long way from Gaelfast to anything remotely happening at development squad level, never mind senior activity.

It has been a fantastic year for Antrim hurling, the icing on the cake would be to topple the Dubs and be competitive against Galway.

I absolutely agree..Belfast hurling is in very strong health and there is no way gaelfast could have made impact that quick which is why I've been asking from the beginning why did Belfast get the package ahead of others . In fact I'm glad they did , but other places need same support. There are 15 odd hurling clubs in Belfast and 1 here in Derry. please don't take this as anti gaelfast or Belfast , loved playing up there and genuinely love to see Antrim do well and grow in hurling especially.

[imtommygunn]

Tbh I agree with this. It is good to see but Derry city probably needs it as much.

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

Definitely not gaelfast, as much as I would love to say it was. We are actually reaping the rewards of a freakish St Louis winning team. Also, I find it very difficult to work out what gaelfast is? What is actually different or is it just more of the same? I was hoping there would be some really eye catching programmes to set the county alight but it just looks like pe in schools. An insider source said the scheme is on its knees. 4 members of staff are gone. 3 managers and employing another manager, more chiefs than Indians. But sure, what do I know.

Looking in here from Derry Belfast looks like a hurling idyll. Games at all ages all the time ,fantastic facilities, great schools links, massive numbers.

We have a waiting list of 5 primary schools waiting for someone to come in but the days of some lad dandering in fir after-school program doesn't work .
Full-time coaches getting proper wages is what is needed to make proper impact. It is full-time job if done correctly

[podge]

Definitely not gaelfast, as much as I would love to say it was. We are actually reaping the rewards of a freakish St Louis winning team. Also, I find it very difficult to work out what gaelfast is? What is actually different or is it just more of the same? I was hoping there would be some really eye catching programmes to set the county alight but it just looks like pe in schools. An insider source said the scheme is on its knees. 4 members of staff are gone. 3 managers and employing another manager, more chiefs than Indians. But sure, what do I know.

Looking in here from Derry Belfast looks like a hurling idyll. Games at all ages all the time ,fantastic facilities, great schools links, massive numbers.

We have a waiting list of 5 primary schools waiting for someone to come in but the days of some lad dandering in fir after-school program doesn't work .
Full-time coaches getting proper wages is what is needed to make proper impact. It is full-time job if done correctly

I agree with you entirely. But I am not at all convinced this is as widespread in antrim as you think it is. In fact I have seen no discernible difference arising from Gaelfast. Happy to stand corrected.

[imtommygunn]

It's too early to say that though IMO. It isn't that long running and a lot of that time has been in the pandemic. That being said the attrition rates at top levels is worrying on it.

In terms of Belfast I wouldn't say it's as smooth as you think fear though a big issue for me is drop off rate. I finished school late 90s and in my time cbs were invincible. Between then and now I think one city club has won the championship so these amazing school teams aren't transitioning. We now have the St. John's excellent field side and some good Rossa sides coming through. Tbh I think it may be more to do with strong clubs than strong structures in place across the board. I could stand to be corrected on this mind you...

It will be interesting to see what becomes of st endas.

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

It's too early to say that though IMO. It isn't that long running and a lot of that time has been in the pandemic. That being said the attrition rates at top levels is worrying on it.

In terms of Belfast I wouldn't say it's as smooth as you think fear though a big issue for me is drop off rate. I finished school late 90s and in my time cbs were invincible. Between then and now I think one city club has won the championship so these amazing school teams aren't transitioning. We now have the St. John's excellent field side and some good Rossa sides coming through. Tbh I think it may be more to do with strong clubs than strong structures in place across the board. I could stand to be corrected on this mind you...

It will be interesting to see what becomes of st endas.

We used to beat  and compete with at enda regularly up to 2015.  We haven't moved on , they are so impressive now

[Antrim Coaster]

The thing about St Enda's is they are now reaping the rewards of their move into the North Antrim and South West Divisional boards which improved their underage hurling and football to no ends.

I think they weren't too happy with the amount of cancelled underage games in both codes in the South Antrim board when they played there.

Part of the deal with North Antrim was they had to play all their games away for the first year. I dont think they missed a match.

Is Gaelfast advertising for another manager. I think Neal Peden took over from PD when he stepped down. Seems like its turning into a bit of a Horlicks.

[Antrim Coaster]

I cant understand why Gaelfast sent a coach into a primary school which is a feeder school for a hurling only club, to coach football. Very poor communication.

I hope that Gaelfast is not going to implode but I think this needs to be managed properly to have each club catered for their needs and not seen as jobs for the boys.

If managed correctly Gaelfast can be a success but needs everyone singing off the same hymnsheet and communications established between all parties.

Its obvious Covid has thrown a spanner in the works but as we return to some sort of normality hopefully it can get on the road that it was intended to do.

[ardtole]

Are any spectators allowed in at the weekend for the antrim v dublin game?

[delgany]

I cant understand why Gaelfast sent a coach into a primary school which is a feeder school for a hurling only club, to coach football. Very poor communication.

I hope that Gaelfast is not going to implode but I think this needs to be managed properly to have each club catered for their needs and not seen as jobs for the boys.

If managed correctly Gaelfast can be a success but needs everyone singing off the same hymnsheet and communications established between all parties.

Its obvious Covid has thrown a spanner in the works but as we return to some sort of normality hopefully it can get on the road that it was intended to do.

I honestly thought gaelfast would have several bright, vibrant and exciting initiatives to reignite games in the county but it seems to be completely falling apart. Its very sad.

Have you looked at the Gaelfast facebook page . There is plenty of good work going on at primary school level. The coaches also deliver coaching support & qualifications . They are heavily involved in dev squads.

Re  football in a hurling area - Do the pupils not have the option of  playing football in school  for 6 weeks.What harm is there in that ?.

[ciaran1988]

If clubs are tied on points in the league this year, is points difference the decider or head to head?

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

If clubs are tied on points in the league this year, is points difference the decider or head to head?

1st v 8th
2nd v 7th
3rd v 6th
4th v 5th

not sure if its for and against or head to head results

[Antrim Coaster]

I cant understand why Gaelfast sent a coach into a primary school which is a feeder school for a hurling only club, to coach football. Very poor communication.

I hope that Gaelfast is not going to implode but I think this needs to be managed properly to have each club catered for their needs and not seen as jobs for the boys.

If managed correctly Gaelfast can be a success but needs everyone singing off the same hymnsheet and communications established between all parties.

Its obvious Covid has thrown a spanner in the works but as we return to some sort of normality hopefully it can get on the road that it was intended to do.

I honestly thought gaelfast would have several bright, vibrant and exciting initiatives to reignite games in the county but it seems to be completely falling apart. Its very sad.

Have you looked at the Gaelfast facebook page . There is plenty of good work going on at primary school level. The coaches also deliver coaching support & qualifications . They are heavily involved in dev squads.

Re  football in a hurling area - Do the pupils not have the option of  playing football in school  for 6 weeks.What harm is there in that ?.

Most of the pupils have probably never heard of hurling or gaelic football and Id say neither have many of the parents.

There is no facility for football outside the school as it's difficult enough trying to get an underage hurling structure underway, especially when its a small hurling club so having a Gaelfast coach demonstrating football is a waste of time and money.

Im well aware of the qualifications of the Gaelfast coaches. Woody is still travelling around primary schools in N Antrim and he is a brilliant coach. Unfortunately his remit does not extend to the catchment schools of our club.