Antrim Hurling

[Milltown Row2]

Loughgiel lost the match themselves yesterday. It was a lacklustre performance up until the 50th minute or so when they upped it a gear. Too Little, too late.

The ref was poor enough for both teams. He let a lot of slapping off the ball go that the cameras didn't pick up. He blew up for easy frees in the first half when Mlr players were losing their footing. Something he seemed to stop when he finally understood that the pitch was wet. 

Also, can someone tell me why Ronan mccloskey was yellow carded? I was sitting about 20 yards away from it and didn't see anything. Having watched the game today I'm still baffled.

Aye was wondering that to at the time as was the MLR sitting beside me. Strange game

[btdtgtt]

Loughgiel lost the match themselves yesterday. It was a lacklustre performance up until the 50th minute or so when they upped it a gear. Too Little, too late.

The ref was poor enough for both teams. He let a lot of slapping off the ball go that the cameras didn't pick up. He blew up for easy frees in the first half when Mlr players were losing their footing. Something he seemed to stop when he finally understood that the pitch was wet. 

Also, can someone tell me why Ronan mccloskey was yellow carded? I was sitting about 20 yards away from it and didn't see anything. Having watched the game today I'm still baffled.

Aye was wondering that to at the time as was the MLR sitting beside me. Strange game

This is one reason I made the ref point - another was right in front of me when an MLR player dipped low / slipped into Martin scullion - ref blew it for a free but scullion had barely attempted a tackle let alone fouled him.
In such a close game these things matter.
Although as I said I don't dispute the result or blame the ref on it at all.
They'll never admit it but I can help wonder was the lack lustre start a result of sub-conscious complacency.

[Minder]

I can't understand how Loughgiel would have been complacent against MLR, or how anyone would have thought it would be a cakewalk for Loughgiel. There were no form lines to support it.

You don't beat Ballyboden and Oulart without being a good team. I don't think Loughgiel did underestimate them, you can't win them all.

[Milltown Row2]

Dropping ball, not adapting to conditions, Campbell missing in first half, not winning enough tackles, not winning 50/50's, not adapting to extra man, not utilising your own free man, missing crucial frees, not getting hooks or blocks in I could go on, the referee could not control that part of their game

Basically Loughgiel picked the wrong day to have their worst game, does this show a chink in their armour for the coming Championship? No as they were still 7/8 points better than the rest in Antrim last season and the other teams need to raise their game

[Seamroga in exile]

Dropping ball, not adapting to conditions, Campbell missing in first half, not winning enough tackles, not winning 50/50's, not adapting to extra man, not utilising your own free man, missing crucial frees, not getting hooks or blocks in I could go on, the referee could not control that part of their game

Basically Loughgiel picked the wrong day to have their worst game, does this show a chink in their armour for the coming Championship? No as they were still 7/8 points better than the rest in Antrim last season and the other teams need to raise their game

7/8 points?

[btdtgtt]

Dropping ball, not adapting to conditions, Campbell missing in first half, not winning enough tackles, not winning 50/50's, not adapting to extra man, not utilising your own free man, missing crucial frees, not getting hooks or blocks in I could go on, the referee could not control that part of their game

Basically Loughgiel picked the wrong day to have their worst game, does this show a chink in their armour for the coming Championship? No as they were still 7/8 points better than the rest in Antrim last season and the other teams need to raise their game

I always said the better team won and never attributed loughiel's loss to the ref - but I maintain I thought the award of some debate able decisions favoured MLR.

The shamrock in front of me's choice of words wasn't great mind you - other loughgiel supporters actually told him to cool it!

Incredible journey from intermediate to a senior final for MLR.

I don't see anyone stopping this drive for five.

[Milltown Row2]

Dropping ball, not adapting to conditions, Campbell missing in first half, not winning enough tackles, not winning 50/50's, not adapting to extra man, not utilising your own free man, missing crucial frees, not getting hooks or blocks in I could go on, the referee could not control that part of their game

Basically Loughgiel picked the wrong day to have their worst game, does this show a chink in their armour for the coming Championship? No as they were still 7/8 points better than the rest in Antrim last season and the other teams need to raise their game

7/8 points?

Ok probably more, when you add up their win margins over the year they would have scored more. So another attempt next year against the Galway champions

[Seamroga in exile]

Dropping ball, not adapting to conditions, Campbell missing in first half, not winning enough tackles, not winning 50/50's, not adapting to extra man, not utilising your own free man, missing crucial frees, not getting hooks or blocks in I could go on, the referee could not control that part of their game

Basically Loughgiel picked the wrong day to have their worst game, does this show a chink in their armour for the coming Championship? No as they were still 7/8 points better than the rest in Antrim last season and the other teams need to raise their game

7/8 points?

Ok probably more, when you add up their win margins over the year they would have scored more. So another attempt next year against the Galway champions

its Munster next year mr2.

[Milltown Row2]

Dropping ball, not adapting to conditions, Campbell missing in first half, not winning enough tackles, not winning 50/50's, not adapting to extra man, not utilising your own free man, missing crucial frees, not getting hooks or blocks in I could go on, the referee could not control that part of their game

Basically Loughgiel picked the wrong day to have their worst game, does this show a chink in their armour for the coming Championship? No as they were still 7/8 points better than the rest in Antrim last season and the other teams need to raise their game

7/8 points?

Ok probably more, when you add up their win margins over the year they would have scored more. So another attempt next year against the Galway champions

its Munster next year mr2.

Well Munster aint great so you have a chance

[BlackandAmber]

I've been impressed with the technique of a lot of the Carlow senior hurling teams I've seen in recent years, they've pushed hard at minor and U-21 in Leinster as well, so they can hurl and aren't just big mollockers.

johnneycool certainly called it right.  MLR worked hard but it wasn't just about hard work. They hulred well. Shams will be gutted and I felt for them at the end. They could have nicked it but the truth is that MLR deserved the win. Winker's radar was  a bit off too and will be kicking himself. Did McFadden get a straight red? Pretty harsh. I looked at that again and again and there was nothing much in it. When you look at what Joe Canning got away with!

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

didnt make it too the game on sat so had to make do with the tv.

have to say i was disappointed in lgiel, they can play far better than that. that being said i though MLR were better all over the pitch. they were a good passing team whereas lgiel couldnt pass it, rather played long balls in. something they never do.

the goals kept them in the match. what happened at the end was unreal. couldnt understand what was going on and why ronan got sent off and a hop ball.

it was just a case of not playing well and the other team playing far better.

[Seamroga in exile]

Duck got a second yellow at the sending off. Soft yellow in the first half.

[BlackandAmber]

Duck got a second yellow at the sending off. Soft yellow in the first half.

Your throwin out bait there SIE so I'll have a wee nibble. That first yellow was far from soft. Not as bad as Canning but both could easy have been red as they say 'I've seen them given'

[Seamroga in exile]

Duck got a second yellow at the sending off. Soft yellow in the first half.

Your throwin out bait there SIE so I'll have a wee nibble. That first yellow was far from soft. Not as bad as Canning but both could easy have been red as they say 'I've seen them given'

considering what the ref didn't blow for or give a yellow card for, it was soft.

[NAG1]

Duck got a second yellow at the sending off. Soft yellow in the first half.

Im not sure maybe im getting mixed up, was the first yellow not for a pull around the chest of a MLR player around the middle of the field. The ball popped up and a LG player pulled and got a yellow, not sure if it was Duck or not but if that was his first yellow I would have thought it was justified.

Discipline has been the key for LG in the last number of years.