Antrim Hurling

[maxpower]

The principle of Development Squads is fine and honourable and the work the coaches do is admirable.  However the benefits are negligible overall.  Certainly in my experience in Antrim.

Is the coaching any better than the boys would get at their own clubs, maybe but i'm Not sure.  What I am sure off is the impact taking the best players out of a club session has on that session.  I am sure the stop start nature of our fixtures is harming the development of the larger body of players. 

I believe a rising tide lifts all boats and rather than us try and accommodate dev squads into a hugely congested Calendar we would be better served sorting the fixture issue.  Supporting clubs that cannot provide quality coaching and looking at amalgamations for clubs struggling to field.

Just isn't the room for a proper club season, schools, county teams and dev squads! IMHO

[cfclg]

https://antrim.gaa.ie/news/collie-donnellys-chairmans-address-at-tonights-convention

I'm agree with this. Lets get rid of them and promote participation rather than elitism.
"Much debate with Liam and his colleagues on development squads has happened over this last year and perhaps a re think on this current model is required."

Another interesting one here regarding fixtures:
"We must change, the current format that perhaps served us well in times past is not working ,we need to be brave in this area, I believe an all county board would go in someway to helping that,with representation from all parts of our county. Once we solve the dual club issue , we would be a fair bit along the road to a better model."

Have to disagree with your development squad statement- "get rid of them." Like it or lump it, our games are there to be won! The definition of elite comes up as "a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group."
Is this not essentially where we would love Antrim to be at? Winning all-Ireland's or at least competing at the top level?
Given the fact that Dev squads in Antrim accommodated  the guts of 40 kids from each age group each year, that will total approx 160 kids each year getting to train and play at a higher level on what I would consider a very irregular basis. They are still available to clubs 6 other days of the week and sometimes 13 other days of a fortnight.
The likelihood of all these players playing senior intercounty is slim, but they do go back into the club system a more educated and seasoned player with experience at playing intercounty level at their respective age.
The county have numerous fixtures and competitions for "participation" at all age groups. So much so that many other clubs from other counties join our leagues to play in them! The Antrim staff (as far as I know) work in schools to provide the experience of the GAA to try to increase participation too. Although I'm still of the opinion that if a club want more kids they need to do a bit of work themselves, Davitts and St Endas being prime examples of what can be achieved from club coaches in schools.
Every other county has development squads also, and the top counties (whether allowed too or not) take their kids for more sessions than one a week at certain times of the year.
My son has played in Dev squads this last 3 years and the education as a player and a person that he has received has been top class.
Excuse me if I sound negative but I'd rather leave the fate of Dev squads in Antrim in the hands of Antrim staff instead of the likes of a chairman stepping down, with absolutely no experience in Dev squads, other than turning up one day for a photo,  when Liam Sheedy took a session for the Celtic Challenge winning squad.
Go learn about what the squads and VOLUNTEER coaches do before slamming their efforts for OUR county, and if possible, go see how effective they are for other counties too!

All entitled to our opinions obv but I'm going to correct you on this last statement.

I am a volunteer in my own club and coach the u16 hurlers and footballers. I know first hand the impact development squads have on 99% of kids that aren't on them. Our county would be better served getting the basics right first, gaining high levels of participation , having regular fixtures for all etc before putting the icing on the cake with development squads. We are putting the cart before the horse in my opinion.

[Gall the way]

https://antrim.gaa.ie/news/collie-donnellys-chairmans-address-at-tonights-convention

I'm agree with this. Lets get rid of them and promote participation rather than elitism.
"Much debate with Liam and his colleagues on development squads has happened over this last year and perhaps a re think on this current model is required."

Another interesting one here regarding fixtures:
"We must change, the current format that perhaps served us well in times past is not working ,we need to be brave in this area, I believe an all county board would go in someway to helping that,with representation from all parts of our county. Once we solve the dual club issue , we would be a fair bit along the road to a better model."

Have to disagree with your development squad statement- "get rid of them." Like it or lump it, our games are there to be won! The definition of elite comes up as "a select group that is superior in terms of ability or qualities to the rest of a group."
Is this not essentially where we would love Antrim to be at? Winning all-Ireland's or at least competing at the top level?
Given the fact that Dev squads in Antrim accommodated  the guts of 40 kids from each age group each year, that will total approx 160 kids each year getting to train and play at a higher level on what I would consider a very irregular basis. They are still available to clubs 6 other days of the week and sometimes 13 other days of a fortnight.
The likelihood of all these players playing senior intercounty is slim, but they do go back into the club system a more educated and seasoned player with experience at playing intercounty level at their respective age.
The county have numerous fixtures and competitions for "participation" at all age groups. So much so that many other clubs from other counties join our leagues to play in them! The Antrim staff (as far as I know) work in schools to provide the experience of the GAA to try to increase participation too. Although I'm still of the opinion that if a club want more kids they need to do a bit of work themselves, Davitts and St Endas being prime examples of what can be achieved from club coaches in schools.
Every other county has development squads also, and the top counties (whether allowed too or not) take their kids for more sessions than one a week at certain times of the year.
My son has played in Dev squads this last 3 years and the education as a player and a person that he has received has been top class.
Excuse me if I sound negative but I'd rather leave the fate of Dev squads in Antrim in the hands of Antrim staff instead of the likes of a chairman stepping down, with absolutely no experience in Dev squads, other than turning up one day for a photo,  when Liam Sheedy took a session for the Celtic Challenge winning squad.
Go learn about what the squads and VOLUNTEER coaches do before slamming their efforts for OUR county, and if possible, go see how effective they are for other counties too!

All entitled to our opinions obv but I'm going to correct you on this last statement.

I am a volunteer in my own club and coach the u16 hurlers and footballers. I know first hand the impact development squads have on 99% of kids that aren't on them. Our county would be better served getting the basics right first, gaining high levels of participation , having regular fixtures for all etc before putting the icing on the cake with development squads. We are putting the cart before the horse in my opinion.

Sorry just to clarify I meant the volunteer coaches within the squads; not the clubs. I have also coached this past 3 years in our club and to be quite honest with you I love to see our lads head off to squads. Having said that- they train on a Saturday, so I still got my county players back for my club training midweek. We avoided Saturdays so not only do they get a club hurling session in, but those lads also got an extra session in with the county= more hurling. Your clash could be different if your u16s are part of the minor county panel and they train more??

Maxpower-  with regards to the coaching standards, I'm not sure how we define a good coach (if im honest), but I do know my young lad loved every minute of it. When you mention, the impact it has on players at the club session I assume you mean minor squads who might train more often through the week? As most Dev squads went on Saturday mornings it is easy to move your club sessions around this (especially in Belfast where there is also a clash with soccer). With regards to the development squads fixtures (not minor) "in a congested calendar" they have 5 dates set aside for dev squads every year- Ive been told before that this is the same every year as the GAA keep a handle on this and dont allow it to go past 5 dates. I don't see how 5 dates are a massive problem tbh, especially considering they are on Saturdays too.

I do agree that we need more participants- 100%! Our club struggle with numbers at certain age groups too, and I do understand the question- what about the other players- thats where I would've took the time to work with these lads on their weaknesses. But what about the good players? Why would I hold them back and stop them gaining invaluable experience playing around the country? I dont think a club/countys inability to get more players should hinder a good players chance to progress further.

Just my opinion.

[breakingball]

2019 season starts sunday against wicklow in kehoe cup in national centre of excellence in Dublin. Hope its a good one!

[ciaran1988]

Any panel named yet or anyone know any new names in the Kehoe Cup squad

[Hand up]

Things dont sound great on the County team front. Ten players reined the first night and 14 last night, and we play our first competitive match v Wicklow in Sunday. There seems to be no interest in the team. I have to say I'm at a loss to offer a solution!!

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Jesus id hardly blame people for not wanting to be out training 2 weeks before Christmas for what is basically a friendly game.

the enthusiasm would be at a very low level for something like this.

[Last Man]

Jesus id hardly blame people for not wanting to be out training 2 weeks before Christmas for what is basically a friendly game.

the enthusiasm would be at a very low level for something like this.

I agree totally, there's little need for it.  If anything I'd pull together a panel from the universities who at least are doing a bit at this time of the year.
There has been a mention of some of the panelists not wanting to play for some of the management team , it's helpful that they have declared early I suppose.

[Hand up]

I never heard about gripes with the management, very surprised if that is the case. Which Club is involved. I did hear the Johnnies lads weren't going.
The other thing is whether we fancy the friendly against Wicklow or not we need to prepare for the league which begins in Janurary!!

[Milltown Row2]

Cushendall should go and use it as a training game prep for their All Ireland campaign

[CornerBackNo2]

Any word of the team for Sunday?

[CitySlicker11]

Can't disagree with MR2 that Cushendall should play this game as preparation for upcoming All Ireland semi final.

[As I see it]

Chat is the age grades are changing to u13/15/17/19 next year , apparently passed at county meeting!! Any thoughts??

[Megaman]

It's good. It raises the age in which kids play competitively from 12 to 13. Less pressure. More fun.

I take it you don't coach any U10's or 12's or been to any of the blitzes or tournaments.?

This age change will make zero difference.

[Milltown Row2]

It's good. It raises the age in which kids play competitively from 12 to 13. Less pressure. More fun.

I take it you don't coach any U10's or 12's or been to any of the blitzes or tournaments.?

This age change will make zero difference.

A lot of that is down to the coaches! I've managed plenty of those and some coaches need a boot up the hole! And I've ref'd Plenty and been embarrassed by some parents and coaches with their attitude