Antrim Hurling

[GAAhead2013]

Just to 'throw' in my tupence on the handpass - pardon the pun...

Agree with MR on this and his application - hurling is played at 100mph and no ref in the country will NE able to position themselves perfectly for every play (its impossible) you can't be blowing fouls for throwballs unless the ref sees a throwball.

We also can't be having referees guess and blowing up because they're assuming no striking action takes place. that's a slippery slope i wouldn't want to go down regards ruining the game.

Also dissappointing to see foks want the game referred to the technicality of the rulebook, its the very thing that will again ruin the game.

This is the problem in my mind

The ref doesn't need to see a throwball - he just needs to see a handpass completed without a DEFINITE striking action

The rules are there to police the handpass, but refs/players/supporters are currently of a mindset that unless it's a definite throw, it's not a foul

The only person that can drive the change is the referees - and they currently have all the tools required to do it

On the point that the ref can't see everything - of course he can't

But don't tell me he can't see 66% of them

As a player and a coach I find it hard to believe that you still play. Let's say that the ball in is your defence.... Is struck up to a half forward/corner forward, who pops a handpass off to a runner coming off the shoulder all within the space of 2-5 seconds, and you think the ref will should be up with that play to see the handpass from the perfect angle? And to add to that, you want the ref to blow it if he doesn't see it??? It's 2 or 3 refs you need per game!

As a player my view is this, unless the man overhand throws the ball 20/30 yards over the bar, then get on with the game and make sure you or your team mates do enough to prevent the pass or subsequent score from happening. If it happens and the ref doesn't blow, get up, get on with it and get the next score. Leave the game alone ffs.

[Milltown Row2]

Just to 'throw' in my tupence on the handpass - pardon the pun...

Agree with MR on this and his application - hurling is played at 100mph and no ref in the country will NE able to position themselves perfectly for every play (its impossible) you can't be blowing fouls for throwballs unless the ref sees a throwball.

We also can't be having referees guess and blowing up because they're assuming no striking action takes place. that's a slippery slope i wouldn't want to go down regards ruining the game.

Also dissappointing to see foks want the game referred to the technicality of the rulebook, its the very thing that will again ruin the game.

This is the problem in my mind

The ref doesn't need to see a throwball - he just needs to see a handpass completed without a DEFINITE striking action

The rules are there to police the handpass, but refs/players/supporters are currently of a mindset that unless it's a definite throw, it's not a foul

The only person that can drive the change is the referees - and they currently have all the tools required to do it

On the point that the ref can't see everything - of course he can't

But don't tell me he can't see 66% of them

Nothing you have said is wrong, a clear striking action.

But I'd rather a game of hurling (that I'm watching) were there will be the odd foul missed be it a tug of shirt or throw ball or the odd over carrying for it to descend into a free taking competition

The games not broke because of this throwing the ball, if this task force come up with something that will help improve it then great, what it won't do is improve the fitness of the referee to be in all positions at all times to see a 'throw ball',

In any given game at senior level I cover between 4 and 4.5 miles that be typical distance for a club game. At intercounty they are generally covering 6 or more miles per game. Give the lines men the ability to call them, they are (at intercounty) mic'd up so not difficult to implement, that be 3 pairs of eyes

[Franko]

Just to 'throw' in my tupence on the handpass - pardon the pun...

Agree with MR on this and his application - hurling is played at 100mph and no ref in the country will NE able to position themselves perfectly for every play (its impossible) you can't be blowing fouls for throwballs unless the ref sees a throwball.

We also can't be having referees guess and blowing up because they're assuming no striking action takes place. that's a slippery slope i wouldn't want to go down regards ruining the game.

Also dissappointing to see foks want the game referred to the technicality of the rulebook, its the very thing that will again ruin the game.

This is the problem in my mind

The ref doesn't need to see a throwball - he just needs to see a handpass completed without a DEFINITE striking action

The rules are there to police the handpass, but refs/players/supporters are currently of a mindset that unless it's a definite throw, it's not a foul

The only person that can drive the change is the referees - and they currently have all the tools required to do it

On the point that the ref can't see everything - of course he can't

But don't tell me he can't see 66% of them

As a player and a coach I find it hard to believe that you still play. Let's say that the ball in is your defence.... Is struck up to a half forward/corner forward, who pops a handpass off to a runner coming off the shoulder all within the space of 2-5 seconds, and you think the ref will should be up with that play to see the handpass from the perfect angle? And to add to that, you want the ref to blow it if he doesn't see it??? It's 2 or 3 refs you need per game!

As a player my view is this, unless the man overhand throws the ball 20/30 yards over the bar, then get on with the game and make sure you or your team mates do enough to prevent the pass or subsequent score from happening. If it happens and the ref doesn't blow, get up, get on with it and get the next score. Leave the game alone ffs.

If you could direct me to the place where I said any of this, or anything like it, it would be appreciated.

[Franko]

Just to 'throw' in my tupence on the handpass - pardon the pun...

Agree with MR on this and his application - hurling is played at 100mph and no ref in the country will NE able to position themselves perfectly for every play (its impossible) you can't be blowing fouls for throwballs unless the ref sees a throwball.

We also can't be having referees guess and blowing up because they're assuming no striking action takes place. that's a slippery slope i wouldn't want to go down regards ruining the game.

Also dissappointing to see foks want the game referred to the technicality of the rulebook, its the very thing that will again ruin the game.

This is the problem in my mind

The ref doesn't need to see a throwball - he just needs to see a handpass completed without a DEFINITE striking action

The rules are there to police the handpass, but refs/players/supporters are currently of a mindset that unless it's a definite throw, it's not a foul

The only person that can drive the change is the referees - and they currently have all the tools required to do it

On the point that the ref can't see everything - of course he can't

But don't tell me he can't see 66% of them

Nothing you have said is wrong, a clear striking action.

But I'd rather a game of hurling (that I'm watching) were there will be the odd foul missed be it a tug of shirt or throw ball or the odd over carrying for it to descend into a free taking competition

The games not broke because of this throwing the ball, if this task force come up with something that will help improve it then great, what it won't do is improve the fitness of the referee to be in all positions at all times to see a 'throw ball',

In any given game at senior level I cover between 4 and 4.5 miles that be typical distance for a club game. At intercounty they are generally covering 6 or more miles per game. Give the lines men the ability to call them, they are (at intercounty) mic'd up so not difficult to implement, that be 3 pairs of eyes

The current state of things with regard to handpassing in the game is a very mild annoyance, and it's something I'd happily live with in the knowledge that the game is all the faster for it.

The only reason the handpass has gone the way it has, is due to the swarm tackling that is now prevalent in the game - in many cases a player has no option but to almost throw the ball if they want to release it from the tackle

And players are coached to tug and release the arm, preventing a legal handpass, whilst just doing enough to avoid giving away a free themselves

My whole annoyance with this is not that there's a massive problem within the game itself, it's the GAA's approach to it.

If they want to sort it out, the rules are there to do it

But no - the GAA's response is to form another committee - another talking shop

It's the black card debate all over again

If they want it sorted (again, I'm fairly ambivalent on this) then just enforce the rules you already have

[Cnoc Bán]

There must be something about technique as on Sunday we had 1 player blew up 3 times for throwing and the opposition didn't even call it any of those 3 times.

I will be honest, the first one i wasn't sure about but the second two i could see clearly and there was a definite striking action so i don't believe they should have been frees.

Cost us in the end as we lost by 3 (a result you would have been happy to see MR2!) and the opposition scored from 2 of those frees, which had also broke up attacks that we were on which could have lead to a score.

Strange thing was, he was the only player in the whole game blew up for it and was only a second half sub, so he needs to work on his execution as obviously the ref didn't agree with it!

Yeah I heard it was a tight enough game and as you say these things can 'swing' for you or against you but the ref won't get every foul regardless if its a bad hand pass or a tug of the shirt, there are at times 6 or 7 people in those rucks so its not easy to spot things, but sure when you are standing on the sideline or at the far end of the pitch its easier to see these things 

Going forward it seems to be the best position at the ground to officiate the game 

I think my main gripe was two he was blew up for weren't even in a ruck.

He was in clear space and had no reason to throw.

Again, maybe technique needs improved but to me one was definitely not a throw, the other harder to call but definitely no benefit of the doubt given.

The third was in a ruck so the ref was a lot closer than I was so i will give him that.

[Antrim Coaster]

Unfortunate not to take the win at the weekend. The lads gave it absolutely everything.

Some strange tactical elements from our side, but that's the manager's prerogative. Hopefully can take a bit of confidence from this forward into the other games.

In what way NAG1? I give us more than a fighting chance this weekend. I think Wexford are very average

Dublin were probably bang average too and we had them at home.

Found it strange selection of the first substitution to replace NE, just from a positional and tactical POV.

Puck out strategy was another one I couldn't understand.

Look I'm not trying to be negative because the team gave absolutely everything and commitment was there in spades, it's just a few things that I didn't get watching on.

He went over on his ankle in front of the Antrim mentors.

That part wasn't the issue. He was clearly unable to continue...read again.

Just highlighting that he went over on his ankle was the reason he went off.

Re puck outs, I agree 100%.

Constant puck outs down Antrim's left wing in the second half against the breeze where Dublin had copped on to this and a few of their players had drifted to that side therefore outnumbering the Antrim midfielders / half forwards.

One of these puck outs resulted in a turnover where Dublin played the ball down their right, fed the ball into Donal Burke who drilled it into the net.

Antrim's puck out strategy when they go short really puts the fear into me.

Rarely is the ball pucked to the hand, resulting in the recipient having to readjust his stance and losing vital seconds. Remember the Joe McDonagh match v Offaly in Corrigan last year where 2 goals were conceded as a result of poor puck outs.

[Milltown Row2]

First match and we have a point. we'll get it tougher in the other games and the big test will be Westmeath, It great that we are discussing that drawing with a team that the last few years has been in a 'tier' above us, we could be playing in a lower end competition but now we are looking forward to competing with teams in Leinster.

Was a dreadful day weather wise for both teams and it ebbed and flowed in different directions but when it mattered we held on and got something other than a glorious defeat. Lets be half full rather than half empty!!

[NAG1]

Any word on the team for tomorrow?

[Milltown Row2]

Maskey in seems to be the only change

[johnnycool]

Maskey in seems to be the only change

There could be something in this game for Antrim if they get a good start and rattle Wexford. The home crowd will be on them if things look to be going poorly.

[Saffrongael]

Wexford have put up a big score here so far

[imtommygunn]

Final score Wexford 1-30 Antrim 1-26. Ten points down at a time too. Don't know much about how the game panned out but that was down in Wexford and when Wexford were well up it could have been a hammering but wasn't so definitely, despite defeat, some positives to take.

[Saffrongael]

Final score Wexford 1-30 Antrim 1-26. Ten points down at a time too. Don't know much about how the game panned out but that was down in Wexford and when Wexford were well up it could have been a hammering but wasn't so definitely, despite defeat, some positives to take.

I'm not sure at this stage of the teams development there are any positives in defeat & when the opposition scores 1-30, this is a game they would have been targeting & rightly so

[Milltown Row2]

Final score Wexford 1-30 Antrim 1-26. Ten points down at a time too. Don't know much about how the game panned out but that was down in Wexford and when Wexford were well up it could have been a hammering but wasn't so definitely, despite defeat, some positives to take.

I'm not sure at this stage of the teams development there are any positives in defeat & when the opposition scores 1-30, this is a game they would have been targeting & rightly so

It was a 4 point handicap bet, that's how it panned out. Wexford have given us some trimmings in championship in the past and we have improved but this is possibly another chance not taken... we need a great start to put teams on the back foot, Wexford had a great start to the half and while we pegged them back they finished strong. I'm the second half Antrim were well on top, just couldn't bring that lead back and get in front.

It's always been about staying in the senior championship. We ain't going to win the thing but gaining and keeping promotion allows us to develop further

[themac_23]

No promotion in any of the hurling leagues this year? Surely that can't be right? What incentive does that give to teams, surely they would deserve a play off at the very least