Antrim Hurling

[MalluskMan]

Made the journey down last night for the u21 game, better in person rather than listen to that clown Quinn.
Couple of observations: Cushendall are going to be a serious tour de force over the next decade (emigration and injuries aside, it happens everyone) movement, touch, hunger were all to the fore more prominently than dunloys much vaulted crop of hurlers. Secondly, and with the expertise we have at our disposal, I noticed on three seperate occasions the sidelines of Dunloy and cushendall both berated Darren, no punishment handed out, players were questioning decisions, only once was it moved forward. The question is why?? I've been privy to a few games where it's constantly moved forward, where it's regularly punished, but then again, it wasn't against the teams at the top table of Antrim hurling. Is there a fear of upsetting the big guns?? Is there a pick on lower ranking and lower division teams?? Genuine question.

[NorthAntrimSaff]

Darren secretly enjoys the abuse. No other reason   

[Milltown Row2]

Not discussing last nights game....

Having played the game and managed I can understand at this level that frustration is normal, people will complain, people will question and people on the sideline will feel aggrieved, the 30 meter rule has been brought in to combat abuse to the referee, its totatly down to the referee to decide what crosses the line of frustration and targeted abuse..

A chat and explanation can temper that, I personally have my level of tolerance and its the same for both, these are mine, others will have theirs..

Taking away passion and bite isn't what we (we as in a supporter of our games) want, understanding abuse from frustration is (for me) the difference in moving the ball or having that little chat..

I'm bored with the chat on how the elite teams/players have bias though, I've seen that a few times and it's bollocks   

[SaffronSports]

Not discussing last nights game....

Having played the game and managed I can understand at this level that frustration is normal, people will complain, people will question and people on the sideline will feel aggrieved, the 30 meter rule has been brought in to combat abuse to the referee, its totatly down to the referee to decide what crosses the line of frustration and targeted abuse..

A chat and explanation can temper that, I personally have my level of tolerance and its the same for both, these are mine, others will have theirs..

Taking away passion and bite isn't what we (we as in a supporter of our games) want, understanding abuse from frustration is (for me) the difference in moving the ball or having that little chat..

I'm bored with the chat on how the elite teams/players have bias though, I've seen that a few times and it's bollocks   

Good post. Had a couple of issues recently. One ref brought a free up for one of our girls asking was that not overcarried before the foul? No communication to players, just moved up which led to frustration.

Another one, i had words with the ref over where a free was being taken from. Our girl fouled on 40m arc but she only kept going another 10 or so metres then ref gives a free on 20. I queried it and he came over to explain that initial advantage had expired and free was for another foul. Fair enough imo.

[MalluskMan]

We will have to agree to disagree on this. Two Dunloy sideline officials questioned and called out bullshit last night. Nothing doing. IMO, had that been a lesser team, they'd have been punished. Tolerance levels are different for various teams.  Referees can claim indifference, but it's widespread amongst them, there is bias and a pick on teams. Fair enough, that's human nature, plenty of teams and individuals dislike each other,  but don't deny it!!
And by saying it's down to the referee and his discretion, you are 100% correct. But this also feeds my point, tolerance levels are higher for other teams than some!! 

Not discussing last nights game....

Having played the game and managed I can understand at this level that frustration is normal, people will complain, people will question and people on the sideline will feel aggrieved, the 30 meter rule has been brought in to combat abuse to the referee, its totatly down to the referee to decide what crosses the line of frustration and targeted abuse..

A chat and explanation can temper that, I personally have my level of tolerance and its the same for both, these are mine, others will have theirs..

Taking away passion and bite isn't what we (we as in a supporter of our games) want, understanding abuse from frustration is (for me) the difference in moving the ball or having that little chat..

I'm bored with the chat on how the elite teams/players have bias though, I've seen that a few times and it's bollocks   

[Milltown Row2]

What's certain is the widespread view on games, one supporter or neutral can walk away from a game saying one thing and another saying something else.

As for officials calling things from the line, you have to remember the rules state that for the ref to punish an official he firstly has to hear it and then be able to pin point from a line full off player's officials and those hanging over the fence who said it, apply a card and give the 30 meters forward free..

Inferiority complex may be with the lesser teams feeling the bigger teams get the call, can't be the case last night as both are, the bigger teams..

Take up the whistle and I'll come and judge your ability, it's easy sure

[paddyjohn]

I went to the game last night and the only thing I noticed was Paul McSparran looking umpires for the ref. Looked kinda bad that one of our top refs didn't have his own. I appreciate it's holiday time etc so it's not a dig.

As far as the game went, the ref did very well. Calmed the situations down when the started and from what I saw from under the brolly, he kept talking to players to explain the decision that was made.

Cushendall will be a force for a few years but will the 2 Cushendun lads be persuaded to stay in Cushendall?? The McLaughlin lads very good, Mooney gets better every time I see him and Conor McCann very strong also.Fintan Bradley is a cracking hurler aswell.

Dunloy decent enough also. McMullan at 10 is a big strong man. Is he a son of Paudies I wonder?

[Milltown Row2]

We had three, needed one and Malachy helped out. All neutrals.. flip hard gig here 

[Tony Baloney]

We had three, needed one and Malachy helped out. All neutrals.. flip hard gig here 

You don't do it for the plaudits do you 

[Milltown Row2]

We had three, needed one and Malachy helped out. All neutrals.. flip hard gig here 

You don't do it for the plaudits do you 

They are few, and getting lesser as the years go by lol

"Went to the game and the ONLY thing I noticed..."

[Hectic]

Heard recently one of our more senior officials has been responding to shouts from spectators by moving the ball up the pitch.

I did question if it was a case of mistaken identity for someone inside the wire but apparently not.

Maybe get more sensitive with age but I see this as an opportunity and have been practicing accents from every corner of the county.

[imtommygunn]

On another note...

Big win for Cushendall in the U21 last night. They look strong and will be good for them getting ones that age into the senior setup as a few maybe in their twilight years.

[NorthAntrimSaff]

Also well done to the Johnnies on their B championship win. A team with a healthy chunk playing Division 1 hurling this year going out and winning a B championship by a score difference of 85 points over 4 games.

Well done and enjoy the celebrations

[Hectic]

Heard recently one of our more senior officials has been responding to shouts from spectators by moving the ball up the pitch.

I did question if it was a case of mistaken identity for someone inside the wire but apparently not.

Maybe get more sensitive with age but I see this as an opportunity and have been practicing accents from every corner of the county.

Happened once in the league at our place and I believe it happened in Portaferry I believe with an Antrim referee.

Both times the supporter in question got dogs abuse from the team managements and those around them.

It may well have a good knock on effect to those arseholes who think because they pay a fiver in can shout and abuse all around them.

Maybe.  Or maybe the referee(s) involved shouldn't be such snowflakes because let's face it the crowd in attendance are always going to react as a games goes.

And if it is proper abuse (I didn't gather that it was) then clubs should be dealing with it. Or as you say self policing from those in attendance even better.

I do like the dissent rule and think it has been a success.  But let's implement it as written instead of making up versions and abusing ones position.

[Hectic]

On another note...

Big win for Cushendall in the U21 last night. They look strong and will be good for them getting ones that age into the senior setup as a few maybe in their twilight years.

I think most of the main players have already got a fair amount of senior miles on the clock.

But will certainly be very useful as other lads enter the twilight.