Antrim Football Thread

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

No, no, it's the teams with 22 that amalgamate in Antrim.

[delgany]

I believe that it's a short term situation dropping to 11 for one off games, not on a  weekly basis. CCC can check teamsheets & a club's registration per year group on foireann to ensure teams have actual playing numbers.

[HTownlad]

Fair enough but it's obviously a forecasted issue.

Is it to suit one club? 5 clubs?

[delgany]

I think Down use the following format  @ underage, minimum starting numbers
Div 1 - 15
Div 2 - 13
Div 3 - 11
DIV 4 - 9

Though not as many teams in Antrim

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

It seems the idea is as per what others have said, its better to get kids playing even if there is low numbers.

unlimited subs and its only 25 mins each way but i don't think this is something that will be happening a lot.

Im the same as others here that i have been with teams who have traveled to an away for them to say they only have 12/13/14. We still played the game and worked around the lower numbers just because its better to give everyone who wants a game a run out.

11 a side will have its probs on the big pitch but if the lads from the club who only have the lower numbers get a match its more important.

[HTownlad]

I don't believe the important thing is to get a match!
Why would an u16, let alone an u18 or u20 team only have 11 players?

It might not happen every week but it's obviously a concern if the rule has been worked up, considered and passed.

Whilst it's commendable to be putting the concept that players benefit from this, the reality is they don't.

[SaffronSports]

It's not ideal but the reality is on any panel, you will have some kids who would walk 20 miles for a match and then you will have some who can take or leave it. If you have a panel of 18-20 say, that number of kids who can't really be arsed are often the difference in getting you over that 15 mark. Lowering the number of kids needed to get a game will 100% help some teams field but there are definitely downsides to it as well, such as it being more taxing on the kids as it's still a full pitch and you usually don't have subs.

[podge]

I don't believe the important thing is to get a match!
Why would an u16, let alone an u18 or u20 team only have 11 players?

It might not happen every week but it's obviously a concern if the rule has been worked up, considered and passed.

Whilst it's commendable to be putting the concept that players benefit from this, the reality is they don't.

Clearly you are looking at this from the perspective of a StEndas club who have the pick of almost all of North Belfast and you seem to have little appreciation for some clubs (particularly rural clubs) who really struggle with numbers.

I think this isn't really aimed at teams who have just 11/12 players.  It's probably more aimed at clubs who have say 15/16 and are valiantly trying to keep the thing going , but at times in the best with injuries and holidays etc they may be down to 11/12 players.  So rather than have games cancelled they can go ahead. 

I personally don't see the issue with it.  It gets more kids playing and more teams surviving.

[imtommygunn]

Yep I think it's a good thing. I also wonder is it to counter amalgamations as a few do seem to crop up now.

People will have different perspectives but in small rural clubs it can be near impossible to field week in week out at certain year groups and with "rural depopulation" that is certainly not helped.

[Saffsof82]

Plenty of city based clubs struggling for numbers as well as their country cousins. I think its a good initiative, should mean a game every week , and stop this cycle of postponing games because of holidays etc that then never get played. Plenty of clubs won't be affected by this, but in the lower reaches of the div2 and div3 juvenile ranks this is a great idea.

[Milltown Row2]

I don't believe the important thing is to get a match!
Why would an u16, let alone an u18 or u20 team only have 11 players?

It might not happen every week but it's obviously a concern if the rule has been worked up, considered and passed.

Whilst it's commendable to be putting the concept that players benefit from this, the reality is they don't.

There isnt too many clubs that havent had issues.. In my playing days Ive been to your club and its failed the field so I'd pipe down on the high and mighty stuff

[HTownlad]

It's not ideal but the reality is on any panel, you will have some kids who would walk 20 miles for a match and then you will have some who can take or leave it. If you have a panel of 18-20 say, that number of kids who can't really be arsed are often the difference in getting you over that 15 mark. Lowering the number of kids needed to get a game will 100% help some teams field but there are definitely downsides to it as well, such as it being more taxing on the kids as it's still a full pitch and you usually don't have subs.

I think your clutching here

20 kids in a team at u16 up an you think at least 5 of them are not interested?
Come on


With regards to the St Enda's pov. Yes most likely but as a club in the city we've worked hard to get many numbers involved and ofcourse we have a wide catchment now.

All being said, and as. MR2 pointed out, amalgamation is the only show in town when it comes to low numbers issues. We've seen the benefits of this for years so why change? (Are there any rural clubs playing Div 3?)

I think before we jump to conclusions on the reasons it would be worth knowing the clubs involved.... No point talking about rural issues if it was a request made by city teams and likewise no point talking city issues if the idea was conceived by rural clubs


All I'm simply saying, at u16 up.... Numbers of 11 it's not acceptable to just say, "Yeah it better to have games"

Holidays have always been there, we know when most families are away. Proper planning and then even good communication and respect between clubs makes that a very minor issue

[SaffronSports]

It's not ideal but the reality is on any panel, you will have some kids who would walk 20 miles for a match and then you will have some who can take or leave it. If you have a panel of 18-20 say, that number of kids who can't really be arsed are often the difference in getting you over that 15 mark. Lowering the number of kids needed to get a game will 100% help some teams field but there are definitely downsides to it as well, such as it being more taxing on the kids as it's still a full pitch and you usually don't have subs.

I think your clutching here

20 kids in a team at u16 up an you think at least 5 of them are not interested?
Come on

100%. Theres loads of kids not particularly interested who are playing due to needing sports for PE. Get a sunny day in the summer and that kid has the option of going to the beach, going somewhere or sit in a car for an hour to go play a match,loads choose to not go. Thats just one scenario. Loads of clubs are tight with numbers. That 18-20 players can soon dwindle.

[Milltown Row2]

It's not ideal but the reality is on any panel, you will have some kids who would walk 20 miles for a match and then you will have some who can take or leave it. If you have a panel of 18-20 say, that number of kids who can't really be arsed are often the difference in getting you over that 15 mark. Lowering the number of kids needed to get a game will 100% help some teams field but there are definitely downsides to it as well, such as it being more taxing on the kids as it's still a full pitch and you usually don't have subs.

I think your clutching here

20 kids in a team at u16 up an you think at least 5 of them are not interested?
Come on

100%. Theres loads of kids not particularly interested who are playing due to needing sports for PE. Get a sunny day in the summer and that kid has the option of going to the beach, going somewhere or sit in a car for an hour to go play a match,loads choose to not go. Thats just one scenario. Loads of clubs are tight with numbers. That 18-20 players can soon dwindle.

Numbers drop off all the time, my nephew who'd been decent enough played hurling football and soccer not bothered now, too many other more 'important' things going on at that age nowadays..

Which I find strange as we had plenty outside stuff going on, gaming was a thing, ZX spectrum before the other stuff came in, soccer was always there, bars drinking clubbing and women again all there.. Plus the summer rioting

Can we blame social media? lol

[NorthAntrimSaff]

I think were getting carried away here. Clubs with 11 names on a sheet of paper wont enter a team. Clubs with 17/18 will. Numbers drop, summer holidays, exams, injuries/illness. Get them as many games as possible. If its 15 a side and they fail to field a few times. That snowballs into the more committed saying fcuk that ill make other plans well likely not have a team anyway