Antrim Football Thread

[YoungSaff]

If I can remember right Niall Jackman had two teams that competed against Derry and Donegal His team last year also got a hammering. What has happened why have we got worse

Jackmans teams had players that you'd recognise a lot of from senior teams throughout the county - and he did well with them too.
Last nights side, I wouldn't know the vast majority of them nor see them play much. Maybe thats all thats out there or maybe as mentioned by a previous poster it was a badly assembled squad. Tiernan McCormick must be injured, he would be a big asset for that side.

Also , Welcome to the board Tiernan McCormick !

[Gaels1789]

What's the story with tickets to the Antrim game ,impossible to get ??

[Hectic]

Full time coaches in our main secondary schools would be a good start. By main I mean central catchment areas for a lot of our clubs and big school populations.  Thinking St Mal's, St Mary's, St Louis Ballymena and possibly others.

What are the obstacles there?

Finance I assume is one?

And if finance the major stumbling block then would we be better forgoing development squads and aiming to put full time coaches in most schools?

Same coaches and same players getting coached, plus a lot more.  And they will be playing competitively in competitions from year 8 right through.

While schools hurling in Ulster is Tier 2, football has Tier 1 meaning our schools can aim to play at the very top end.  Plus Ulster schools dominate at All Ireland level in Tier 1 meaning if you can get in there you are competing against the very best. Maybe that is the point SS was trying to make.

Appreciate there may be an element where the schools don't put sporting achievement high among their priorities.  If that's the case can they be convinced?

[Hectic]

As for last night, I was not there and it's hard to pick anything out of a result like that.

But I wouldn't be hard on the players.  I know there are some very good footballers in there. 

Maybe just a bit short in quantity.  Take half a dozen top players out of any team and see how that goes if the depth is not there.

[Take the Mark]

As for last night, I was not there and it's hard to pick anything out of a result like that.

But I wouldn't be hard on the players.  I know there are some very good footballers in there. 

Maybe just a bit short in quantity.  Take half a dozen top players out of any team and see how that goes if the depth is not there.

Well, according to saffron gael thats exactly what Donegal did at half time and they won by more and kept Antrim scoreless. Albeit against 14.

[Hectic]

As for last night, I was not there and it's hard to pick anything out of a result like that.

But I wouldn't be hard on the players.  I know there are some very good footballers in there. 

Maybe just a bit short in quantity.  Take half a dozen top players out of any team and see how that goes if the depth is not there.

Well, according to saffron gael thats exactly what Donegal did at half time and they won by more and kept Antrim scoreless. Albeit against 14.

'If the depth is not there'.

I assume Donegal have a strong squad and will be one of the contenders.

And my point was meant more about levels of negativity and not writing off a whole year group when there could still be a good number of accomplished footballers in there.  But just not enough to compete with squads stacked with that level of player.

[Take the Mark]

Well then we go back around in circles and ask why the depth isn't there. Look at your own clubs grass roots, are those who are coaching the future the kind of people you would pick? or are they a case of nobody else will do it? Of course there is an excuse for low numbers at clubs, every club will struggle at times, I know my own have age groups where numbers are low. However, there is no excuse for poor coaching. So that blame lies at the clubs door, and, as shite a management performance as it may (or may not) have been then it won't matter if its Colin Toal, Colin Farrell or Dessie Farrell managing the team the next year, or the years after that.

[Hectic]

I agree.  And have said plenty already about the general development within the county.

Just today I am a bit in defence mode for the lads out last night and keen to acknowledge there were some quality footballers on the wrong end of that scoreline.

[Would ye whist]

Again, where was the noise about the seniors after Sunday which we are seeing on here today about U20's. The issues are clear a senior team with an outside manager who no doubt is on a wage that would choke a donkey with trips to Portugal for his team v a local manager who is trying his best to get the best out of a group of players who have been sold short by our county board to the extent they have to share jerseys-Christ almighty even our club U-8 & U-10's do not share jerseys.

Stop making scapegoats out of the U20's and aim the anger where it should be i.e. Frankie, Totes etc

[paddyjohn]

The whole thing is a shambles.

Are we any good at scor?

[thegladiator]

Again, where was the noise about the seniors after Sunday which we are seeing on here today about U20's. The issues are clear a senior team with an outside manager who no doubt is on a wage that would choke a donkey with trips to Portugal for his team v a local manager who is trying his best to get the best out of a group of players who have been sold short by our county board to the extent they have to share jerseys-Christ almighty even our club U-8 & U-10's do not share jerseys.

Stop making scapegoats out of the U20's and aim the anger where it should be i.e. Frankie, Totes etc

100% agree on this. The current u20 team have been treated poorly by the CB and no doubt have most teams prior to this. Trips to Portugal, extortionate "expenses" to managers for very little return. Without writing  off the current generation of senior teams, surely this has to be brought under control and invested elsewhere? We are now Division 4 and trying to live a D1 lifestyle, with the credit card maxed out. According to the Irish examiner in January this year we spent €1,127,931 on our intercounty teams in 2024. Value for money?

[Take the Mark]

The whole thing is a shambles.

Are we any good at scor?

Not much good news in the county at present, Cavan hurlers are relegated too.

[belfastsaff]

Donegal team backboned by a couple of good four masters teams ive seen play in the St Pauls Tournament. However the red card to the full back didnt help things last night. The middle was left wide open every time no sign of a number 6 anywhere before or after the red. Would love to know what Colin Toal is coaching at trainings. A Future Antrim Manager and hes taking Lisburn?

Catch a grip ffs. Hoping the 20s can dust themselves down for the next game.

[The_Saffron_serpent69]

This one's a bit off topic lads but it crossed my mind as I'm working in the area today. Is casements social club still up and going. I've many fond memories of in there and curious to what has came of it in recent times?  Maybe even get a couple cold wans in:P

[Gaels1789]

Donegal team backboned by a couple of good four masters teams ive seen play in the St Pauls Tournament. However the red card to the full back didnt help things last night. The middle was left wide open every time no sign of a number 6 anywhere before or after the red. Would love to know what Colin Toal is coaching at trainings. A Future Antrim Manager and hes taking Lisburn?

Catch a grip ffs. Hoping the 20s can dust themselves down for the next game.

Donegal team backboned by a couple of good four masters teams ive seen play in the St Pauls Tournament. However the red card to the full back didnt help things last night. The middle was left wide open every time no sign of a number 6 anywhere before or after the red. Would love to know what Colin Toal is coaching at trainings. A Future Antrim Manager and hes taking Lisburn?

Catch a grip ffs. Hoping the 20s can dust themselves down for the next game.


Were u even at the game?? 6 leaving the middle free every time 🤣.could've had Lee keegan in there wouldn't of made a difference runners coming from deep every time 2s and 3s,


Donegals no.7 and no.8 constantly ran through not being tracked

Then again is this down to the management not having them set up properly


And I wouldn't single out a player for last nights defeat, something a coward would do