Antrim Hurling

[NAG1]

RIP for sure

Ridiculous decision for the SN v DL game. It will start under lights, probably the biggest hurling game of the year and this is what they do with it.

Stupid time, considering the intermediate is on before it at 1.45pm, I don't see the logic of having two hurling matches this time of the year on winter pitches! I'm not overly concerned about the lights, they'll have been training away under lights and It'll be the same for both, would much prefer a 2pm throw in though, at Corrigan

There's already a match on in Ibrox at 1pm

Yeah an Armagh team playing in Belfast while the senior game goes to Armagh - some logic being applied here.

But then nothing with Ulster Council and their attitude to hurling would surprise any of us at this point.

[Milltown Row2]

RIP for sure

Ridiculous decision for the SN v DL game. It will start under lights, probably the biggest hurling game of the year and this is what they do with it.

Stupid time, considering the intermediate is on before it at 1.45pm, I don't see the logic of having two hurling matches this time of the year on winter pitches! I'm not overly concerned about the lights, they'll have been training away under lights and It'll be the same for both, would much prefer a 2pm throw in though, at Corrigan

There's already a match on in Ibrox at 1pm

Yeah an Armagh team playing in Belfast while the senior game goes to Armagh - some logic being applied here.

But then nothing with Ulster Council and their attitude to hurling would surprise any of us at this point.

Clubs asked why they are playing the hurling so late after the county finals had all been played weeks earlier, they said they are promoting football, as if football isn't promoted enough in Ulster

[paddyjohn]

It's a shambolic decision. Complete idiots

[Tony Baloney]

RIP for sure

Ridiculous decision for the SN v DL game. It will start under lights, probably the biggest hurling game of the year and this is what they do with it.

Stupid time, considering the intermediate is on before it at 1.45pm, I don't see the logic of having two hurling matches this time of the year on winter pitches! I'm not overly concerned about the lights, they'll have been training away under lights and It'll be the same for both, would much prefer a 2pm throw in though, at Corrigan

There's already a match on in Ibrox at 1pm

Yeah an Armagh team playing in Belfast while the senior game goes to Armagh - some logic being applied here.

But then nothing with Ulster Council and their attitude to hurling would surprise any of us at this point.

Clubs asked why they are playing the hurling so late after the county finals had all been played weeks earlier, they said they are promoting football, as if football isn't promoted enough in Ulster

Yes football in Ulster definitely needs all the support it can get. On its knees.

[imtommygunn]

And 2 weeks of hurling matches would definitely cripple it  Muppets.

[antrimman667]

The scheduling this year as a whole has been poor this year from Ulster Council. Id say lads are sick of training 13 months in a row now

[johnnycool]

The scheduling this year as a whole has been poor this year from Ulster Council. Id say lads are sick of training 13 months in a row now

Why did Antrim run their senior hurling championship off so early considering they knew that the eventual champions would be sitting on their hands doing nothing?

[Milltown Row2]

The scheduling this year as a whole has been poor this year from Ulster Council. Id say lads are sick of training 13 months in a row now

Why did Antrim run their senior hurling championship off so early considering they knew that the eventual champions would be sitting on their hands doing nothing?

I think having a better pitch better weather better attendances? regardless, this is longer than normal, the winners will be out the following week after a bruising affair and Ballycran could, spring a shock

[imtommygunn]

If Dunloy win I couldn't see Ballycran beating them. I think Slaughtneil are a different beast in how they play and Ballycran could have a chance.

[johnnycool]

If Dunloy win I couldn't see Ballycran beating them. I think Slaughtneil are a different beast in how they play and Ballycran could have a chance.

This is winter hurling lads, very different to the harder, faster pitches preferred by Dunloy and what they've been used to

At the start of the Down Championship Portaferry gave Ballycran the run around pace wise, but come the final it wasn't as telling on a soft pitch in Newry, yes Ballycran improved, found a better balance as the year went on but their bigger physical presence was now able to win ball that was gone two months earlier.

I give them a punchers chance against whoever comes out of the battle in Armagh and TBH if this crap weather keeps up the more I'd go for Slaughtneil albeit they might need an injury or two to clear up to help them over Dunloy but it's certainly not a clear cut win for Dunloy.

[imtommygunn]

I did say if. I am not convinced Dunloy will win... I hope they do but not sure. I thought that they came up a bit short tactically last few games - especially how they handle sweepers and a more packed defense -  so hopefully Dick O'Kane has learned from it.

[keep her low this half]

I did say if. I am not convinced Dunloy will win... I hope they do but not sure. I thought that they came up a bit short tactically last few games - especially how they handle sweepers and a more packed defense -  so hopefully Dick O'Kane has learned from it.

I thought Dunloy were excellent tactically against Rossa in the final pushing up on the puck outs and causing turnovers. I would expect them to try something similar on Sunday

[Milltown Row2]

I did say if. I am not convinced Dunloy will win... I hope they do but not sure. I thought that they came up a bit short tactically last few games - especially how they handle sweepers and a more packed defense -  so hopefully Dick O'Kane has learned from it.

I thought Dunloy were excellent tactically against Rossa in the final pushing up on the puck outs and causing turnovers. I would expect them to try something similar on Sunday

Yeah and to counter that S'Neil have plenty of ball winners should they go long, can't assess them as it's been 2 years now, being a point or two away from beating the eventual winners and seeing as that team is still winning the Kilkenny championship its difficult to find a form line on them. Dunloy have improved a lot also, both age and physically.

Be a good match

[johnnycool]

I did say if. I am not convinced Dunloy will win... I hope they do but not sure. I thought that they came up a bit short tactically last few games - especially how they handle sweepers and a more packed defense -  so hopefully Dick O'Kane has learned from it.

That was certainly an issue the last time they played in Newry.

From what I've saw from Dunloy they lack a big physical target man up front who can either win his own ball in the air or break it down to the speedsters coming off him for the break so they're going to have to work the long range points from midfield and beyond and get a lead on SN going into the last quarter forcing SN to push up and leave more space for the Dunloy forwards..

How the deal with Brendan Rodgers and Shay ?? McGuigan at the other end will have an effect on the game as they can win their own ball and know where the net is. Blunt them and as much as it'll be a dour contest neither team will give a shite if they're victors in the end.

[imtommygunn]

Tbh a big physical ball winner is something we have lacked in the county for years never mind Dunloy. That is why McManus always gets moved up into the forwards.