Antrim Football Thread

[Sportacus]

It would be funny if St Brigid's won it considering the amount of begrudgers they have on here.

[toby47]

Slaughtneil boss Mark Doran has emerged a candidate for the Antrim senior football manager's job.

The Saffrons have yet to appoint a successor to Andy McEntee, whose three-year term ended following the Tailteann Cup defeat against Wexford in June, with an invitation for applications sent out in July.

Longstone native Doran was linked to the Derry job last year following the departure of Mickey Harte but instead took up a coaching role with Roscommon under manager Davy Burke, who has since departed.

Doran previously held a coaching role with his native Down between 2019 and 2021, whilst helping guide Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan title as co-manager.
He has also held coaching roles in Clare and Wicklow before the switch to the Rossies in 2025.

He stepped down as Slaughtneil manager following their Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Glen last year but was reappointed in March.

Interviews for the Antrim job are due to take place on Monday evening with Louth's Colin Kelly also in the running.

Kelly managed his home county to successive promotions from Division Four and Division Three in 2016 and 2017 before spells with Westmeath, Wicklow and most recently, Cavan club side Kingscourt Stars.

Also in the frame is former St Brigid's manager Anthony McGrath, who was a coach under Stephen Poacher in Leitrim this year, while Barry Dillon, who led Ulster University to the 2024 Sigerson Cup, has also been nominated.

Paddy Bradley had been linked to the role, but last week it emerged he had withdrawn from the race.

[AllStar15]

Is SFC quarter finals after the groups and IFC/JFC both straight to the semis?

I believe so!

JFC has two qtr finals  2nd v 3rd play off from either group whereas IFC doesn't have. Another anomaly by CCC!

More group games to play in the intermediate

[AllStar15]

Looking at the Minor Football leagues. In Div 1 three teams conceded their games yesterday meaning only 3 of the 6 games took place. Big clubs like St Galls and St Johns conceding games, Aldergrove was the other one. Then you look into Div 2 and Lamh Dhearg have done the same. Is this a worrying sign, are St Brigids St Pauls the only teams in the city making some strides forward or what is the issue with the others?

The issues are Sunday's don't work for Minors. It has been mentioned time and again at county board meetings that nearly all clubs are noticing a downward trend since it switched. 18 year olds go out at the weekends, they work part time jobs that are at the weekend - its just not viable. We seem to shooting ourselves in the foot at an already difficult age for retention. 

Would totally agree with that, the move away from Tuesdays to Sundays at 12 is a complete disaster and has never worked

Heard today that all three teams requested to move their games, Aldergrove (Club golf day), Johnnies and Galls (Holidays/people away - prob feile) and were turned down - maybe teams don't want games. 

[Delgany 2nds]

Is SFC quarter finals after the groups and IFC/JFC both straight to the semis?

I believe so!

JFC has two qtr finals  2nd v 3rd play off from either group whereas IFC doesn't have. Another anomaly by CCC!

More group games to play in the intermediate

CCC fixed two IFC in 4 days so an extra 2 games wouldn't be much of an issue, plus it helps with uneven groupings as per IFC groups !

[AllStar15]

It's still 5 gamedays v 3 gamedays. Intermediate groupstage doesn't wrap up until 14th Sept

[Delgany 2nds]

It's still 5 gamedays v 3 gamedays. Intermediate groupstage doesn't wrap up until 14th Sept

They had the least number of league games, so some flexibility round the start date for IFC would've been a benefit!

[AllStar15]

It's still 5 gamedays v 3 gamedays. Intermediate groupstage doesn't wrap up until 14th Sept

They had the least number of league games, so some flexibility round the start date wfor IFC would've been a benefit!

Don't disagree but that's the reason it goes straight to the Semi Finals

[Footblock]

Yeah a lot of minor games not being played but when do you play them? St Enda's able to field 2 minor teams with a team in each division and both of their teams having to field simultaneously

[EOC1923]

Slaughtneil boss Mark Doran has emerged a candidate for the Antrim senior football manager's job.

The Saffrons have yet to appoint a successor to Andy McEntee, whose three-year term ended following the Tailteann Cup defeat against Wexford in June, with an invitation for applications sent out in July.

Longstone native Doran was linked to the Derry job last year following the departure of Mickey Harte but instead took up a coaching role with Roscommon under manager Davy Burke, who has since departed.

Doran previously held a coaching role with his native Down between 2019 and 2021, whilst helping guide Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan title as co-manager.
He has also held coaching roles in Clare and Wicklow before the switch to the Rossies in 2025.

He stepped down as Slaughtneil manager following their Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Glen last year but was reappointed in March.

Interviews for the Antrim job are due to take place on Monday evening with Louth's Colin Kelly also in the running.

Kelly managed his home county to successive promotions from Division Four and Division Three in 2016 and 2017 before spells with Westmeath, Wicklow and most recently, Cavan club side Kingscourt Stars.

Also in the frame is former St Brigid's manager Anthony McGrath, who was a coach under Stephen Poacher in Leitrim this year, while Barry Dillon, who led Ulster University to the 2024 Sigerson Cup, has also been nominated.

Paddy Bradley had been linked to the role, but last week it emerged he had withdrawn from the race.

Some lack of self awareness by Anthony McGrath sticking his name in. We are no Kerry or Armagh but what on earth would qualify him for the job? Were Leitrim not a laughing stock under him and Steven Poacher last season.

[EOC1923]

Slaughtneil boss Mark Doran has emerged a candidate for the Antrim senior football manager's job.

The Saffrons have yet to appoint a successor to Andy McEntee, whose three-year term ended following the Tailteann Cup defeat against Wexford in June, with an invitation for applications sent out in July.

Longstone native Doran was linked to the Derry job last year following the departure of Mickey Harte but instead took up a coaching role with Roscommon under manager Davy Burke, who has since departed.

Doran previously held a coaching role with his native Down between 2019 and 2021, whilst helping guide Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan title as co-manager.
He has also held coaching roles in Clare and Wicklow before the switch to the Rossies in 2025.

He stepped down as Slaughtneil manager following their Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Glen last year but was reappointed in March.

Interviews for the Antrim job are due to take place on Monday evening with Louth's Colin Kelly also in the running.

Kelly managed his home county to successive promotions from Division Four and Division Three in 2016 and 2017 before spells with Westmeath, Wicklow and most recently, Cavan club side Kingscourt Stars.

Also in the frame is former St Brigid's manager Anthony McGrath, who was a coach under Stephen Poacher in Leitrim this year, while Barry Dillon, who led Ulster University to the 2024 Sigerson Cup, has also been nominated.

Paddy Bradley had been linked to the role, but last week it emerged he had withdrawn from the race.

Some lack of self awareness by Anthony McGrath sticking his name in. We are no Kerry or Armagh but what on earth would qualify him for the job? Were Leitrim not a laughing stock under him and Steven Poacher last season. Also didnt pull up many trees managing St Brigids (if this is the same guy) Two Q Final exits in a row

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

He probably thought, "Well, they gave Enda McGinley a shot after a fortnight in Swatragh."

[EOC1923]

Slaughtneil boss Mark Doran has emerged a candidate for the Antrim senior football manager's job.

The Saffrons have yet to appoint a successor to Andy McEntee, whose three-year term ended following the Tailteann Cup defeat against Wexford in June, with an invitation for applications sent out in July.

Longstone native Doran was linked to the Derry job last year following the departure of Mickey Harte but instead took up a coaching role with Roscommon under manager Davy Burke, who has since departed.

Doran previously held a coaching role with his native Down between 2019 and 2021, whilst helping guide Ballybay to the 2022 Monaghan title as co-manager.
He has also held coaching roles in Clare and Wicklow before the switch to the Rossies in 2025.

He stepped down as Slaughtneil manager following their Derry SFC semi-final defeat to Glen last year but was reappointed in March.

Interviews for the Antrim job are due to take place on Monday evening with Louth's Colin Kelly also in the running.

Kelly managed his home county to successive promotions from Division Four and Division Three in 2016 and 2017 before spells with Westmeath, Wicklow and most recently, Cavan club side Kingscourt Stars.

Also in the frame is former St Brigid's manager Anthony McGrath, who was a coach under Stephen Poacher in Leitrim this year, while Barry Dillon, who led Ulster University to the 2024 Sigerson Cup, has also been nominated.

Paddy Bradley had been linked to the role, but last week it emerged he had withdrawn from the race.

Some lack of self awareness by Anthony McGrath sticking his name in. We are no Kerry or Armagh but what on earth would qualify him for the job? Were Leitrim not a laughing stock under him and Steven Poacher last season.

Very harsh. Manager sets the tone so that would fall down to Poacher

By your logic you could say the same about Mark Dornan with Offaly, Wicklow and Roscommon!

I'd say there's maybe one or two missing from the list

The problem remains that they will need to build a team of coaches with them and there's not extensive experience in house. Maybe Kevin Niblock would be and outside hope. Gerard McNulty?

It's clear that John and Ronan don't want it so why would they go in as coaches?
There's no one from Antrim pulling up stumps at coaching teams outside of those mentioned here

Are there any people from Antrim involved with other county teams or coaching Division 1 teams outside of Antrim who'd move in as a coach?

Brady clearly doesn't want it and Adam's has been there done that. Wasn't Maddens team relegated to Division 2 last year. Same as the eldest McGourty in Down?

Leitrim were a shambles, conceding games and all sorts and I did point out he also by all accounts did a poor job with St Brigids. Dont see the comparison with Doran but I dont know much about Doran to be honest.

[EOC1923]

He probably thought, "Well, they gave Enda McGinley a shot after a fortnight in Swatragh."

Of course he got the Antrim job with only short term managerial experience (thats on whoever the selection panel is) but his tenure is a success compared to McEntees. Ulster Club winning managers in last 5 years - Mickey Moran, Malachy O Rourke and McGinley. So hes not exactly in bad company there.

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Lol. He'd done less than McGrath when we appointed him and that's all that's relevant.