Antrim Hurling

[winker3716]

That was a tight game last night, maybe not top drawer hurling but 2 evenly match teams. Ballycastle settled well after a shaky start and the half back line turned a lot of ball from about the 10th min on. However they didn't get the scores and ended up going in a point down at half time. Thought there were points for the taking throughout the game for Ballycastle but the game plan seemed to be get the ball in low to the full forward line instead. Its good to have a game plan but in a tight game like that when the points are there they need to be taken.

As the game got near the end I thought it was going to be a draw which would have been fair enough although I believe extra time would have been played in that case. Dunloy worked the indirect free very well to get the winning point so fair play to them for that.

We had 7 u21s and 1 minor starting last night so hopefully they can learn from it and improve over the next couple of years.

Where did you see me criticise?
Merely an observation on my part, three training sessions freely admitted by MR2, to me is a lack of respect to Cushendall and the competition. Totally get the reasons behind it but doesn't change my opinion.

To hell with your 'OBSERVATION' man!  You directly inferred St. Galls were getting a few lashes from Cushendall for showing them lack of respect, as they only trained 3 times prior to the championship clash with the Dall. You are certainly entitled to an opinion, but please do not be making ludicrous remarks as to how a club did or did not prepare for a championship bout against the Dall. Do the Dall warrant or command such respect that you allude to?  Maybe just as well St. Galls hurling was in turmoil this year,as you would then not be making such idiotic comments observations.  Enough said, I expect? 

[DearyMe]

Well said winker - nag are you serious?

I remember a prominant Antrim Hurling manager say a few years ago, that on paper  St.Galls had by far the strongest hurling team in the county.  Now granted, hurling isnt played on paper - but winkers comments must be noted.  They are running out of time though, i reckon they could probably win a championship.  Question is, do they wanna win it on paper, or on Casement Park!

[the colonel]

Lads at the end of the day St Galls have some great hurlers who won a lot of underage county titles in hurling at the expense of ourselves particularly and St Galls backboned county squads for years. Add that to last years showing then respect had to be given to them. What is the point in approaching Quarter Finals differently or not being prepared for the games.

This physical approach chat is OTT in my opinion but this a forum where opinions are expressed and I don't think anyone connected with our team will be too concerned about people thinking this. As I said, this was nothing compared to the clashes between Kevin McKeague and Malachy Dallas yesterday evening.

[Megaman]

just to point out lads, this rough treatment handed out to St Galls did not happen, maybe a few players digging at each other at stages, thats it. (it is championship after all)

There where only 3 or 4 dirty strokes in the game and they didnt come from Dall players.

The McGourtys obviously didnt stop gurning at the final whistle, they continued into the club as well.

[Milltown Row2]

Maybe if they had done ten sessions they might have won HS?

Point being that when they don't put the effort in and now they are looking for excuses, that they got roughly treated by Cushendall, there wont be any quarter asked or given next week in the football, but then again they have something to lose in that match!

Read my posts NAG1, I said Cushendall were by far the better team and their scores came a lot easier than ours. That's down to training and application.

The roughing up wouldn't have made us play crap, we just don't put the effort in, very simple

Ones have mentioned we pulled dirty strokes, I said we did and wouldn't defend them, but when one of our players had to come off with a split nose we are are dirty players?? What was Neil booked for?

[Milltown Row2]

I would love our lads to take it seriously for two seasons, and when I mean serious I mean that they have a decent pre-season nothing crazy just a few decent sessions over Feb - March some friendlies and hit the season with most of your players available for all the games, One training session a week (well attended) and 6 weeks prior to Championship, sessions intensify. If we managed even that I'd say we'd be very competitive.

With the lads being older I'd say we've 2/3 seasons left, If they want to achieve something then that's what it will take.

That's not a wile lot FFS.

[Jesusjones]

It was Kevin Mc Gourty who had the blood on his hooter, he wasn't going to come off but the ref spotted the blood, he was blood subbed, got the hooter cleaned up and went back on again, hardly a bad injury. Kevin & CJ are far more talented than Ciaran but neither of them would have even near the same guts, heart and character as Ciaran. Someone was asking how much Mc Manus scored from play, 1-2 out of 1-5 from play.

[Milltown Row2]

It was Kevin Mc Gourty who had the blood on his hooter, he wasn't going to come off but the ref spotted the blood, he was blood subbed, got the hooter cleaned up and went back on again, hardly a bad injury. Kevin & CJ are far more talented than Ciaran but neither of them would have even near the same guts, heart and character as Ciaran. Someone was asking how much Mc Manus scored from play, 1-2 out of 1-5 from play.

I asked what he'd scored, didn't take note during game.

Loughgiel are 4/5 for the Antrim Championship on Paddy Power

[btdtgtt]

No one any the wiser after the weekends games, still going to be all on the day between Cushendall and Dunloy. LG win the other semi final handy enough so it's as you were really.

MR2 I think maybe there is a perceived lack of respect to the hurling championship by your boys from other clubs, might explain some of the rougher treatment handed out.

To even suggest there is a "perceived lack of respect to the hurling championship! by a dual Belfast club, is really a bit rich coming from clubs whose primary focus is on hurling.  i.e Loughgeil, Dunloy, Ballycastle, Cushedall etc.

It may be difficult for you to appreciate and comprehend how a dual club like St.Galls encounters difficulties of a severe magnitude by participating in both codes.  Football is clearly their main focus and where they are mostly likely to achieve success.  However, they are facing up to their responsibilities of promoting and participating in both codes.  Does this give any individual or opposing club to criticise any club or use it as an excuse for" dishing out rough treatment" as you put it?  Catch yourself on man!   

In support of your comments though, I would think their would be a sizable queue forming in St. Galls to get a lash at two of the McGourtys anytime. 

Spot on!

[ManInBlackandGreen]

Thank Fck your leaving the Referee's alone for a change boys, what i hear all 4 matches where below what was expected, in fairness it was effectively the 1st round, things take time, dunloy imo will improve the most from their encounter.

[winker3716]

just to point out lads, this rough treatment handed out to St Galls did not happen, maybe a few players digging at each other at stages, thats it. (it is championship after all)

There where only 3 or 4 dirty strokes in the game and they didnt come from Dall players.

The McGourtys obviously didnt stop gurning at the final whistle, they continued into the club as well.

Nothing new there man! The Ciaran lad is the only hurler among them.  Seems like a trait they picked up from their father, another major gurner and still is by all accounts?

[winker3716]

Thank Fck your leaving the Referee's alone for a change boys, what i hear all 4 matches where below what was expected, in fairness it was effectively the 1st round, things take time, dunloy imo will improve the most from their encounter.

that said MIBAG, the refereeing was sub standard also.  So, which game did you get? Obviously one of no significance! 

[S Áine]

No one any the wiser after the weekends games, still going to be all on the day between Cushendall and Dunloy. LG win the other semi final handy enough so it's as you were really.

MR2 I think maybe there is a perceived lack of respect to the hurling championship by your boys from other clubs, might explain some of the rougher treatment handed out.

There's no lack of respect at all. If anything the lack of respect is directed towards St Galls and other clubs who compete in both codes. Compare St Galls run in to the match yesterday with Cushendall. Two senior football championship fixtures, senior football league fixtures, minor championship, not even leaving one clear week to address hurling solely. Cushendall had an uncongested run of a few league fixtures and plenty of time in between to focus on preparation, perhaps including challange matches. Considering that 18 of the football panel also play hurling there is a big demand on the St Galls players in every way. And don't forget these boys have been on the go for a few years now. Surely the timing of the two championships has to be reconsidered. Would the north Antrim clubs allow that though? As far as I know Rossa were having to play senior football fixtures before their hurling championship and St Johns played St Galls last Wednesday night. St Galls have no complaints about the game and the result and good luck to Cushendall.

[Jesusjones]

Loughgiel 4/5
Cushendall6/4
Dunloy 6/1
St. Johns 16/1

I'd have thought Dunloy would have been shorter odds than that!!

[winker3716]

I will tell ye one thing though, in my humble opinion.  St. Galls, if, and it's a big if, committed to one season, say next year to focusing, committing and putting the same level of their physical and human resources, under the right man (no, you!) as they do for football, I honestly believe they could win a county hurling championship.  Have no doubt about that.  Big question is though, will they/would they want to??  Therein is the dilemma for St. Galls!

Big ball or wee ball?