Antrim Football Thread

[imtommygunn]

Ah the sons of Paul McKeever playing - that's great to see. He was my age and was a very handy player at that age.

[bannside]

Its apt that you mention Paul McKeever ITG. His spirit was everywhere tonight around the club. Paul took up refereeing because the club needed a referee. Thats the sort of person he was.

He also had a couple of young children and was at the forefront of setting up a new, select and dedicated group of parents who only wanted to see a better club for their offspring. In other words, lets take this to a new level!

That group was considerable, but Paul was the driving force. He was inspirational. No stone unturned, our under 8s and 10s were going to matches in a coach to Croke Park and were playing blitz competitions every week in County Derry and Tyrone. And were winning their share.

I was outgoing juvenile development officer, but Paul came in and this was different gravy. All of a sudden we had a core of 15 good coaches, mostly ex players that had young sons and shared Paul's vision for a top future. He advocated for a stand alone juvenile section independent of a successful amalgamation with neighbours Ahoghill. Many neutrals thought this was a negative move but Paul insisted that so many juveniles came through the club and never ever wore the club colours. That wax what swing it.

Personally I preferred to keep the amalgamation going, but gradually the swell of opinion grew too large.

"Paul's Team" are the group that won their second under 16 grade A championship in a row a few weeks back, defeating St Brigids in a clinker.

The team that won tonight were playing under 16 B two years ago, and fair play to Gareth Kelly and Kevin Kidd for stepping up to take on what many thought was a forlorn hope.

Tonight they beat a superb St Paul's team by 5 points to claim a Minor A Championship. Most in the club thought it was a year early. The team loses 3 players for next season.

Back at the club, after Docs lorry and the fireworks in the town, Owen Doc took the stage and every player got their moment as they took their place on the winners rostrum.

Amongst them Owens son Odhran who had had scored 13 points and added the two Antrim juvenile wins to his McRory and Hogan Cup victories earlier this year. What a prospect.

Obviously Odhran got a loud ovation, as did other standout players on the night. So too did Pauls boy, Conor McKeever, a marquee forward whose name you can write down..as did his older brother Ryan McKeever who was captain of tonight's team.

But the loudest cheer of the night was when Doc mentioned the only man in the room who was missing. Their Dad.

Rest in Peace Paul...gone,  but never forgotten.

[NorthAntrimSaff]

Its apt that you mention Paul McKeever ITG. His spirit was everywhere tonight around the club. Paul took up refereeing because the club needed a referee. Thats the sort of person he was.

He also had a couple of young children and was at the forefront of setting up a new, select and dedicated group of parents who only wanted to see a better club for their offspring. In other words, lets take this to a new level!

That group was considerable, but Paul was the driving force. He was inspirational. No stone unturned, our under 8s and 10s were going to matches in a coach to Croke Park and were playing blitz competitions every week in County Derry and Tyrone. And were winning their share.

I was outgoing juvenile development officer, but Paul came in and this was different gravy. All of a sudden we had a core of 15 good coaches, mostly ex players that had young sons and shared Paul's vision for a top future. He advocated for a stand alone juvenile section independent of a successful amalgamation with neighbours Ahoghill. Many neutrals thought this was a negative move but Paul insisted that so many juveniles came through the club and never ever wore the club colours. That wax what swing it.

Personally I preferred to keep the amalgamation going, but gradually the swell of opinion grew too large.

"Paul's Team" are the group that won their second under 16 grade A championship in a row a few weeks back, defeating St Brigids in a clinker.

The team that won tonight were playing under 16 B two years ago, and fair play to Gareth Kelly and Kevin Kidd for stepping up to take on what many thought was a forlorn hope.

Tonight they beat a superb St Paul's team by 5 points to claim a Minor A Championship. Most in the club thought it was a year early. The team loses 3 players for next season.

Back at the club, after Docs lorry and the fireworks in the town, Owen Doc took the stage and every player got their moment as they took their place on the winners rostrum.

Amongst them Owens son Odhran who had had scored 13 points and added the two Antrim juvenile wins to his McRory and Hogan Cup victories earlier this year. What a prospect.

Obviously Odhran got a loud ovation, as did other standout players on the night. So too did Pauls boy, Conor McKeever, a marquee forward whose name you can write down..as did his older brother Ryan McKeever who was captain of tonight's team.

But the loudest cheer of the night was when Doc mentioned the only man in the room who was missing. Their Dad.

Rest in Peace Paul...gone,  but never forgotten.

Brilliant post. Enjoyed reading that

[gaelforce13]

Its apt that you mention Paul McKeever ITG. His spirit was everywhere tonight around the club. Paul took up refereeing because the club needed a referee. Thats the sort of person he was.

He also had a couple of young children and was at the forefront of setting up a new, select and dedicated group of parents who only wanted to see a better club for their offspring. In other words, lets take this to a new level!

That group was considerable, but Paul was the driving force. He was inspirational. No stone unturned, our under 8s and 10s were going to matches in a coach to Croke Park and were playing blitz competitions every week in County Derry and Tyrone. And were winning their share.

I was outgoing juvenile development officer, but Paul came in and this was different gravy. All of a sudden we had a core of 15 good coaches, mostly ex players that had young sons and shared Paul's vision for a top future. He advocated for a stand alone juvenile section independent of a successful amalgamation with neighbours Ahoghill. Many neutrals thought this was a negative move but Paul insisted that so many juveniles came through the club and never ever wore the club colours. That wax what swing it.

Personally I preferred to keep the amalgamation going, but gradually the swell of opinion grew too large.

"Paul's Team" are the group that won their second under 16 grade A championship in a row a few weeks back, defeating St Brigids in a clinker.

The team that won tonight were playing under 16 B two years ago, and fair play to Gareth Kelly and Kevin Kidd for stepping up to take on what many thought was a forlorn hope.

Tonight they beat a superb St Paul's team by 5 points to claim a Minor A Championship. Most in the club thought it was a year early. The team loses 3 players for next season.

Back at the club, after Docs lorry and the fireworks in the town, Owen Doc took the stage and every player got their moment as they took their place on the winners rostrum.

Amongst them Owens son Odhran who had had scored 13 points and added the two Antrim juvenile wins to his McRory and Hogan Cup victories earlier this year. What a prospect.

Obviously Odhran got a loud ovation, as did other standout players on the night. So too did Pauls boy, Conor McKeever, a marquee forward whose name you can write down..as did his older brother Ryan McKeever who was captain of tonight's team.

But the loudest cheer of the night was when Doc mentioned the only man in the room who was missing. Their Dad.

Rest in Peace Paul...gone,  but never forgotten.

What a brilliant read, and huge congratulations to everyone involved on an incredible win. The speed, intensity, and decision-making both on and off the ball were seriously impressive. You could see there's a real togetherness and confidence about that group — it's what every club strives to build.

Reading about the journey and the legacy Paul started really hits home. It shows what can happen when a group of people decide to raise the standards and follow through.

I'm genuinely curious though, what do you think the real difference-maker has been in getting these lads to that level? Is it mainly the coaching standards, or have they also been exposed to proper athletic development and S&C work along the way? Whatever the formula is, it's clearly working.

[bannside]

Thanks GF. Yes, clubs can achieve so much more if they treat their juveniles properly. But the main thing is you need to get proper buy in from a core group of parents/coaches who share the vision for a long term plan and agree a structure to see it through.

Yes, these guys have their own club gymnasium and always a proper S/C coach to take twice weekly sessions for under 14s and up. Last few years it was Padraig Hampsey, captain of Tyrone.

Last night the minors got a proper reception on their homecoming. It wasn't as large as Dunloys last weekend, but it wasn't far off! It was the culmination of at least 8 years work.

Best of all from a personal viewpoint....I see a completely different standard across the county at this age group than for a long time. Nearly every club is starting to produce a better player, with S/C that wasn't as evident in the past, and speed skill and athleticism all where it needs to be.

A lot of clubs have stepped it up, and for all the enormous work Casements have done, they were taken to the wire a good few times on the way, and every match Ive been at there has been a load of standout players on the pitch.

Just as I said many times in the past Portglenone have a better group coming down the track and now we are seeing some results. Likewise I predict a brighter future for Antrim football in four ir five years with a quality panel to choose from.

[Milltown Row2]

Lovely read and no surprise that Paul along with others were able to see a pathway

It does take effort, nothing happens without it, when clubs do it, it normally works out, yes there is luck along the way but you earn luck based on what you have put it...

The best quote in life for sport is this

"the harder I train the luckier I get" Gary Player (and others) used this

Lovely post BS

[imtommygunn]

The Peter Healy playing for Ballyboden - it's not the former Antrim player is it?

[Dunsilly King]

Congratulations BS, well deserved victory. Long time coming but perhaps we are seeing the start of something further down the line

[Flanker]

The Peter Healy playing for Ballyboden - it's not the former Antrim player is it?

Living in Dublin for the past decade, he transferred from St Enda's Glengormley to St Enda's Ballyboden.

[bannside]

Thanks DK.

Hopefully a phone call to Peter will he high on Mark Dorans agenda...proper baller!

To top off a memorable weekend Portglenone girls beat Loughgiel.

At least three households will have sisters with camogie and ladies football medals and brothers with football at grade A under 16 and minor!

Definitely a first I'd say!

[Na Glinntí Glasa]

Big result for Portglenone in the camogie. They beat the favs Cushendall to get to the final so they seem to have a good squad of players.

Most of the team won the Feile A Camogie also.

It's good to see for the game that it's not the same teams winning at underage over and over again.

[Hoof Hearted]

The Peter Healy playing for Ballyboden - it's not the former Antrim player is it?

St endas, yes

[bannside]

And to top off it all off...yesterday Casements hosted the annual Paul McKeever under 11.5 tournament. Big clubs from all over the province were amongst the 22 clubs taking part. And the winners, defeating Coalisland after extra time in the final, were....

If Carlsberg did weekends!

[SaffronSports]

Big result for Portglenone in the camogie. They beat the favs Cushendall to get to the final so they seem to have a good squad of players.

Most of the team won the Feile A Camogie also.

It's good to see for the game that it's not the same teams winning at underage over and over again.

Think there will be some battles between Pg1 and Cushendall over the next few years in camogie. Was at that Feile final as a lot of our gaelic team play for Cushendall. Cant remember the wee girls name but she was midfield and in both halves set the tone with brilliant scores right from the throw in.

[Sportacus]

And to top off it all off...yesterday Casements hosted the annual Paul McKeever under 11.5 tournament. Big clubs from all over the province were amongst the 22 clubs taking part. And the winners, defeating Coalisland after extra time in the final, were....

If Carlsberg did weekends!

Congratulations Bannside. Hard work pays off.  St Paul's have been putting in a shift at underage too.
Tricky time now keeping that team ticking over for the St Paul's Tournament. Dromintee, Dungiven, Ardboe to name a few, it'll be some test.