Antrim Football Thread

[imtommygunn]

Tough game - going to very interesting.

[Milltown Row2]

A lot of games this weekend to go to. Ballymena game would be decent enough standard, the Cargin game at 1pm will clash with our lads playing Glenravel in the under21` final at 12pm

Not sure where I'll end up.

Hopefully both Antrim teams come through

[EOC1923]

Ballymena have the quality players to win this game. St Theresas were poor in the final and Ballymena did all they had to, but I feel the Ballymena men can step up another gear.
U21, What can be said about this competition, if the teams taking part in the final can get some benefit out of it fair play but really I do think its a farcical competition. The hurling final 5th August before the senior starts, Football final 10th Nov. This is year on year they dont rotate it, Says all you need to know.

[Milltown Row2]

Ballymena have the quality players to win this game. St Theresas were poor in the final and Ballymena did all they had to, but I feel the Ballymena men can step up another gear.
U21, What can be said about this competition, if the teams taking part in the final can get some benefit out of it fair play but really I do think its a farcical competition. The hurling final 5th August before the senior starts, Football final 10th Nov. Says all you need to know.

Give me a date in the year that suits? Clubs, yes the clubs are in talks when these things come up for discussion. Very dismissive of the clubs that have put the effort in at both grades for what has always been a difficult competition going back as far as I can remember, and I've played in a right few of them.

everything is set in stone and other competitions play second fiddle

[EOC1923]

Ballymena have the quality players to win this game. St Theresas were poor in the final and Ballymena did all they had to, but I feel the Ballymena men can step up another gear.
U21, What can be said about this competition, if the teams taking part in the final can get some benefit out of it fair play but really I do think its a farcical competition. The hurling final 5th August before the senior starts, Football final 10th Nov. Says all you need to know.

Give me a date in the year that suits? Clubs, yes the clubs are in talks when these things come up for discussion. Very dismissive of the clubs that have put the effort in at both grades for what has always been a difficult competition going back as far as I can remember, and I've played in a right few of them.

everything is set in stone and other competitions play second fiddle

Why not rotate it and have the u21 football closed out by the 5th August before the senior championship starts every other year

[Milltown Row2]

Ballymena have the quality players to win this game. St Theresas were poor in the final and Ballymena did all they had to, but I feel the Ballymena men can step up another gear.
U21, What can be said about this competition, if the teams taking part in the final can get some benefit out of it fair play but really I do think its a farcical competition. The hurling final 5th August before the senior starts, Football final 10th Nov. Says all you need to know.

Give me a date in the year that suits? Clubs, yes the clubs are in talks when these things come up for discussion. Very dismissive of the clubs that have put the effort in at both grades for what has always been a difficult competition going back as far as I can remember, and I've played in a right few of them.

everything is set in stone and other competitions play second fiddle

Why not rotate it and have the u21 football closed out by the 5th August before the senior championship starts every other year

Why not indeed, thats something that club delegates should be bringing to the county this year, as once the timetabling is put in then its again set in stone for this month.

Too be fair I don't see any issues, the games have been run off every week with no senior league games to be involved with, two teams involved with Ulster games should be using that as great prep for training leading up to said games, rather than wrapping them up in cotton wool. You can get injured in training just as easy than a game, so I personally never worked that one out.

You get only a coupe of years to play at under 21 level for some players, and after that its senior, this could for many be their best opportunity to collect a medal with their team mates, before lads head off in other directions or don't get the opportunity to play senior.

These dates are set out at the start of the year I believe, but hey ho, come the competition the toys are thrown out of the pram

[NAG1]

The why not is, that this is a forgotten championship, which no one truly cares about hurling or football. Nice to get if you get it but if you don't no biggy.

Move it close to the senior championship and you will surely kill it all together.

[antrimman667]

Best of luck for all teams involved,
now or never for Cargin in Ulster.

[EOC1923]

Are Cargin folding at the end of this season? That's a shame 🤣

[imtommygunn]

Both games are similar for me... on one hand I wouldn't be surprised if either antrim team won and on the other I wouldn't be surprised if they were beat by a bit to spare. Unsure what to expect tbh. They are definitely tough games but it's ulster club so that's what you're going to get.

[Gael-in-exile]

Ballymena have the quality players to win this game. St Theresas were poor in the final and Ballymena did all they had to, but I feel the Ballymena men can step up another gear.
U21, What can be said about this competition, if the teams taking part in the final can get some benefit out of it fair play but really I do think its a farcical competition. The hurling final 5th August before the senior starts, Football final 10th Nov. Says all you need to know.

Give me a date in the year that suits? Clubs, yes the clubs are in talks when these things come up for discussion. Very dismissive of the clubs that have put the effort in at both grades for what has always been a difficult competition going back as far as I can remember, and I've played in a right few of them.

everything is set in stone and other competitions play second fiddle

Why not rotate it and have the u21 football closed out by the 5th August before the senior championship starts every other year

To come at this from a dual club perspective there is more pressure on clubs to play U21 football in 4 weeks mid summer than hurling.
There are 17 clubs involved in football where as only 10 took part in the hurling.

Many would feel putting the football in that late July/early August block would have a bigger impact on preparing for senior championship in both codes. So take Sarsfields, Tir Na nOg, St Enda's or Rossa who are competing in both U21 & both senior codes as examples.

The U21 football involved at least 12 dual clubs, hurling only involved approx 7.
Surely those facts show it has less impact on clubs to play the smaller (hurling) championship in that mid summer bracket.

[antrimman667]

Are Cargin folding at the end of this season? That's a shame 🤣

Better opportunity than ever with no Glen in the comp and Cargin's key players not getting any younger unfortunately

[Hectic]

Yes, very best of luck to both Cargin and All Saints.

I have said before that I don't expect either to win their respective championships but I will be happy to be wrong.

Cargin the more seasoned of the two and gave a good account the past couple of years but will be wanting to do more than give a good account at this stage.

All Saints have the value of playing Division 1 this year.  However in Championship, where teams really show their teeth, I don't think it's too harsh to say the competition was not ideal prep for provincial.  But having come through with a fair bit to spare hopefully they will come out with a big performance and make an impression at this level.

[Spike]

Ulster is both a great and difficult competition.  Feels like All Saints are the best prospect we have had to win the Intermediate in quite a while.  Cannot profess any knowledge on their Tyrone challengers save that Tyrone teams are generally strong in this competition.

No easy games in the Senior competition but Cargin are more than good enough.   

[Gold]

Tough, tough draw for Cargin.

Ruairi and Darragh are genuinely class, plus P Harte etc etc etc. Those Canavans could beat any team out the gate on their day, but then so could Tomas.

Really hope Cargin believe and have a real go.

Hope All Saints win too and they have the chance to, though like EC,  Derrylaughlan are v strong.


Delighted to see Galls back in an U21 final.