Antrim Football Thread

[NAG1]

As good of a league display iv seen from dunloy. Decky Smith as good as any footballer in the county.

There is a maturity with his game now that has come on in leaps and bounds, he controlled that game and everything played through him.

We never judge how  a game is going to unfold,  but looking at both teams with regards to availability it was going to be a tough game for Dunloy, but in fairness Creggan were not at full pelt either so a even enough game on the day and goals and two pointers win games now!

I would say that should be a serious wake up call, how many would Dunloy be missing from their first 15 at the moment?

Creggan would regard themselves at what a top 4 Div 1 one team? And we wonder on here why the County team aren't competing 

[AllStar15]

Why is league football treated with utter disdain in Antrim? Can anyone explain it to me? This board makes it out that the league is a complete burden to teams,  I just don't get it?

It has no currency. There's nothing in it other than playing teams at a level than may improve your chances at championship with tinkering with the team.

Change the benefits, what it gives you, would it allow you better seeding in championship?

But here, and maybe elsewhere leagues are for playing, championships are for winning

You are right MR2, give the top 4 seeds in the championship groups and it changes the dynamic of the league but still also punishes teams with county players. I would say though that any league games I have been to this year have been far from timid affairs, plenty of fire in them, I'm not sure this forum's opinion is representative of that.

[Milltown Row2]

As good of a league display iv seen from dunloy. Decky Smith as good as any footballer in the county.

There is a maturity with his game now that has come on in leaps and bounds, he controlled that game and everything played through him.

We never judge how  a game is going to unfold,  but looking at both teams with regards to availability it was going to be a tough game for Dunloy, but in fairness Creggan were not at full pelt either so a even enough game on the day and goals and two pointers win games now!

I would say that should be a serious wake up call, how many would Dunloy be missing from their first 15 at the moment?

Creggan would regard themselves at what a top 4 Div 1 one team? And we wonder on here why the County team aren't competing 

Like I said, Creggan probably missing a strong spine through the middle of that team. But that being said, Dunloy's footballing has come one a lot, that's no disrespect to how they were playing before, they have added retention of the ball better, building attacks and defending better, they still have that direct running at goal, which resulted in 3 goals yesterday so that attacking flare hasn't changed.. 

[Gaels1789]

Anyone underestimating Ballymena can do so at their peril. The new rules suit them, serious pace throughout and at full strength they should be thinking of hitting serious heights this year. Look like a team with a clear system and I see a team there that's playing for each other and really enjoying their football.

Casements on the other hand look like a team that is not sure where it is atm and the robust squad that was put together over the last few years is depleted with the departure of numerous players.

I would still expect them to regroup and get back to winning ways in due course when four or five staples return, but John has work to do to get their season started. No one will be panicking too much about the league in early April.


Depleted squad my balls, yous wouldn't know the half of it

[AllStar15]

Agreed BS, nobody will be losing sleep over these games and rightly so.

Out of interest, depleted side and departures? Who has gone?

Rumour is Niall McKeever has retired 

[YoungSaff]

Agreed BS, nobody will be losing sleep over these games and rightly so.

Out of interest, depleted side and departures? Who has gone?

Interested to hear this myself , as compared to other clubs PG1 don't appear to be missing too many so I am wondering how he means depleted?

You can't use depleted with a squad of 25-30 players majority of whom featured last year 

[Take the Mark]

Its not all doom and gloom for them, their latest signing grabbed a goal yesterday.

[YoungSaff]

On another note a good result for our lads yesterday getting off the mark against Davitts !!

Hopefully Christopher can get recovered speedily from his injury was sad to see this as he was having a good game.

Good wins for Sarsfields , St Treasas and Glenavy

Are Moneyglass and St Endas going to struggle this year? Moneyglass only beating Gort Na Mona by 3 and St Endas loosing out to Glenavy.

[YoungSaff]

Its not all doom and gloom for them, their latest signing grabbed a goal yesterday.

Which one of the many was this 

I had read the Saffron Gael it said Michael Hagan and Sean Byrne I think these lads weren't brought in through their transfer window

[Take the Mark]

You might be correct. I was told the Greencastle signing popped a couple over.

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

As good of a league display iv seen from dunloy. Decky Smith as good as any footballer in the county.

There is a maturity with his game now that has come on in leaps and bounds, he controlled that game and everything played through him.

We never judge how  a game is going to unfold,  but looking at both teams with regards to availability it was going to be a tough game for Dunloy, but in fairness Creggan were not at full pelt either so a even enough game on the day and goals and two pointers win games now!

I would say that should be a serious wake up call, how many would Dunloy be missing from their first 15 at the moment?

Creggan would regard themselves at what a top 4 Div 1 one team? And we wonder on here why the County team aren't competing 

Like I said, Creggan probably missing a strong spine through the middle of that team. But that being said, Dunloy's footballing has come one a lot, that's no disrespect to how they were playing before, they have added retention of the ball better, building attacks and defending better, they still have that direct running at goal, which resulted in 3 goals yesterday so that attacking flare hasn't changed.. 

Thought we played much better than ive seen in past seasons minus the hurlers/injured players. Deaglan Smith is really a quality player and his two pointers in a row def steadied the ship towards the end.

To be fair Creggan didnt look too bothered at losing it as its just a league game, nothing more. Creggan took some lovely scores against the wind in the second half and they move the ball a lot easier in the forwards than we can.

What was the story about the free to Creggan straight after their point in the second half (when the keeper went down? Was it for talking back by one of our players? I assumed thats what it was for at the time.

Fair play to you for trying to see everything that goes on over the pitch MR2 as youd need to be like an owl to check on the three players inside the half 

[Hectic]

So it was all about how Division 1 had too many poor teams in it a few weeks ago. 

And now it's the best teams are not taking it seriously (and this is the fault of the organisers) when some of the perceived strongest teams are getting chinned by some of the perceived weakest teams.

The only way you get a strong competitive Division 1 is by all clubs having their county men available and setting out to try and win it.

I don't see either of those things changing any way soon so I wouldn't be getting overly exercised about the number of teams in the division.

Number of teams in Senior Championship probably a bigger problem as teams are going full tilt then and the difference in quality really shows at that stage.

It also seriously weakens the Intermediate and Junior Championships and with that our chances in Ulster in those competitions.

[belfastsaff]

Went to the Galls Games yesterday move the ball very well a few players I've never seen before making an impact and a couple of county players to come back in. Have they been in the transfer window also over the winter period ?

[bannside]

Casements goalscorers both came through their juvenile system, so not sure who you're referring to TTM?

[Take the Mark]

Apologies BS, I was told second hand that 1 of your new men scored a couple of points. Obviously wide of the mark.

Tell us about your absentees?