Antrim Hurling

[Splash]

I know everybody is probably more intrigued with the other games happening this weekend, but is there any chance of Ballycastle springing an upset on Loughgiel?

Given the nature of the 3 team group, will Loughgiel hold back for later in the Championship, with Ballycastle going all out to try and ensure they don't finish bottom.

Know it's unlikely, but is it worth discussing?

[saffron123]

No

[imtommygunn]

I don't think Ballycastle would be at that level splash. They drew with st endas and just appear to have gone backwards this last few years. Loughgiel also have a good squad and probably a less settled 15 so will have a lot of boys playing for places. Maybe they will challenge them but I would predict Loughgiel by 6+.

Who is the favourite in St Johns Rossa? That one, like the football, could probably go either way. Cushendall Dunloy almost feels like a warm up game.

[johnnycool]

I don't think Ballycastle would be at that level splash. They drew with st endas and just appear to have gone backwards this last few years. Loughgiel also have a good squad and probably a less settled 15 so will have a lot of boys playing for places. Maybe they will challenge them but I would predict Loughgiel by 6+.

Who is the favourite in St Johns Rossa? That one, like the football, could probably go either way. Cushendall Dunloy almost feels like a warm up game.

I presume all that is at stake in that game is who avoids Loughgiel in a semi-final, correct?

[imtommygunn]

Extra game for the losers is it not? I can't remember if the semis are open draw or it's a winner of each group in each semi?

[Saffrongael]

Extra game for the losers is it not? I can't remember if the semis are open draw or it's a winner of each group in each semi?

Semis are winner of group 1 v Winner of match B QF (which will likely be St Endas v Dunloy/Cdall)

And winner of group 2 v winner of match A QF (2nd in group 1 v 3 in group 2)

So yes the reward for winning Cdall/Dunloy is avoiding Loughgiel in semi

[Gael-in-exile]

Extra game for the losers is it not? I can't remember if the semis are open draw or it's a winner of each group in each semi?

Semis are winner of group 1 v Winner of match B QF (which will likely be St Endas v Dunloy/Cdall)

And winner of group 2 v winner of match A QF (2nd in group 1 v 3 in group 2)

So yes the reward for winning Cdall/Dunloy is avoiding Loughgiel in semi

So if you are the loser of Cushendall v Dunloy game you would be placed second and play St Enda's as it stands, (Could be Ballycastle) in two weeks.
Assuming you win you would then have another two week break until playing Loughgiel who had a 4 week break from competitive action and came from a 'weaker group'.

If you win Cushendall v Dunloy you would wait 4 weeks with no competitive fixture and then play the winners of St John's/Rossa/Ballycastle (as it stands) who if you were to assume league standings would see the favourites to come through from the St John's/Rossa fixture.
They would potentially have 2 good games and victories under their belt while you have had a 4 week break.

Now from a Dunloy and Cushendall perspective must accept the main aim is to remove as many obstacles as possible to win the championship, which starts with a QF fixture if it can be avoided.
However on the other hand you can see benefits to how the fixtures could work out the other way should you finish second.

[JonnyD_]

Extra game for the losers is it not? I can't remember if the semis are open draw or it's a winner of each group in each semi?

Semis are winner of group 1 v Winner of match B QF (which will likely be St Endas v Dunloy/Cdall)

And winner of group 2 v winner of match A QF (2nd in group 1 v 3 in group 2)

So yes the reward for winning Cdall/Dunloy is avoiding Loughgiel in semi

So if you are the loser of Cushendall v Dunloy game you would be placed second and play St Enda's as it stands, (Could be Ballycastle) in two weeks.
Assuming you win you would then have another two week break until playing Loughgiel who had a 4 week break from competitive action and came from a 'weaker group'.

If you win Cushendall v Dunloy you would wait 4 weeks with no competitive fixture and then play the winners of St John's/Rossa/Ballycastle (as it stands) who if you were to assume league standings would see the favourites to come through from the St John's/Rossa fixture.
They would potentially have 2 good games and victories under their belt while you have had a 4 week break.

Now from a Dunloy and Cushendall perspective must accept the main aim is to remove as many obstacles as possible to win the championship, which starts with a QF fixture if it can be avoided.
However on the other hand you can see benefits to how the fixtures could work out the other way should you finish second.

i'd say the management of both dunloy and cushendall are having that same conversation and at the same time planning a weekend or two away to get really competitive challenges game in the sth. it would benefit dunloy more so to have the gap as they have qf football to contend with and probably 9 dual players.

Galway team was up here in the glens the week of the all ireland final - no shortage of teams wanting to travel for serious competitive games either

[Gael-in-exile]

Aye there's no doubt you'd rather the semi final straight and with it you'd hope to sort a good challenge fixture to fill the gap but it's easy to see the benefits that can be had if you didn't win that group.

Sorting a challenge game in the short time frame brings it's own challenges, travel to Dublin at least, availability of dual players/those with niggly injuries, and some associated costs to add in doesn't make it straight forward.
Unfortunately the reality is one of Ulster's and most certainly Antrims biggest challenges in developing hurling is just simply geography.

[Gael-in-exile]

Watched the stream. Dunloy were disappointing and I thought last year they were caught on the hop by Loughgiel but I'm wondering have they dipped in standard of performance.
It seemed to have been played at 3/4 pace which was disappointing especially when no doubt the other game was full tilt.

[Saffrongael]

Watched the stream. Dunloy were disappointing and I thought last year they were caught on the hop by Loughgiel but I'm wondering have they dipped in standard of performance.
It seemed to have been played at 3/4 pace which was disappointing especially when no doubt the other game was full tilt.

I'm not sure it even was, certainly didn't feel like a "loser goes home" game. Hurling is maybe different now but years ago those two teams would have had a certain bite to it in a winner takes all game, didn't see any of that tonight.

Second group in IHC some going, 4 teams on 6 points going into last round of games & they all play each other

[north_antrim_hound]

Fair play to Loughgiel for the Palestine banner after match today.

[Milltown Row2]

Fair play to Loughgiel for the Palestine banner after match today.

They have been standing behind that banner all year in fairness

[imtommygunn]

Jc big result for ballygalget.

St John's st endas and Dunloy ballycastle quarter finals. Be interesting to see how far st endas have come on.

[johnnycool]

Jc big result for ballygalget.

St John's st endas and Dunloy ballycastle quarter finals. Be interesting to see how far st endas have come on.

Not really.  A bit of shadow boxing by both teams. 
A few first teamers missing from both and Portaferry will still believe they've a bigger kick in them if we do meet again.

We're not looking past the semi final though.