Antrim Football Thread

[SaffronSports]

Ultimately if we're sitting on 3 wins from 3 games, Clann Eireann doesnt get a mention. Things havent started well so it is a stick to beat him with. Reality is none of us know how his time is spent but in his position as Antrim manager, it's all about getting results and they badly need a boost at the minute.

[Christmas Lights]

Antrim: M Byrne, P McCormick, P Healy, E McCabe; D McAleese, D Lynch, M Jordan; J Finnegan, C Hynds; P McBride, A Loughran, R McCann (Creggan); R Boyle, R McCann (St Mary's), D McEnhill. Subs: G Walsh for Healy (17), E Quinn for Finnegan (51), C Johnston for R McCann (Creggan), C McLarnon for McBride (63), O Eastwood for Loughran (70)

Team that ran Meath to 2 points a couple of years ago in  TC semi. Still quite a few involved.

As someone said, this needs to be built from the ground up. Really need to get the youth standards up across the board but how do you square the circle in getting a senior team to inspire the youth of today? Looking at the table, currently the worst football team in Ireland tonight. 

[Bring back club football]

Alex Ferguson used to say when United played Spurs - "lads it's Spurs" - I'd safely say every county in Ireland says "lads it's Antrim" when they play Antrim. That's where you are. Whether you like it or not. And that's before you consider hiring a grifter like Doran.

[ONeill]

Must be Antrim's lowest ebb in a long time.

[Swsaffs]

I'm not concerned at all about the CE job. He's told them he'll not be doing anything with them until March so atm his attention is on Antrim

Our game plan was all wrong today. Sit back and encourage two pointers.

Players ofcourse have alot to answer for and looking at Longford today, they are by no means beating boys of Div 4 but I still have to question why we've lost players and why we are playing a style of football that is obviously not working


Having been at the game think this is a bit wrong.

Could hear doran roaring most of the game for the defence to step out and put hits on but never seemed to happen.


Going forward very blunt.

Only real threat today was Adam thought he was real good when he got the ball.

[Cnoc Bán]

Is Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) injured?

Always thought he caused teams problems when he played

And if we had someone in on the square taking attention of defenders, it might free space further out for 2 pointers.

Clutching at straws here because I'm at a loss as to how poor we are at the minute.

Even if we could look at a strong defence as a foundation to build on that would be a bit of hope, but we haven't got that at all.

Think the goalkeeper situation has taken us a big backwards step from Byrne.

[JimStynes]

Is Ruairi McCann (Aghagallon) injured?

Always thought he caused teams problems when he played

And if we had someone in on the square taking attention of defenders, it might free space further out for 2 pointers.

Clutching at straws here because I'm at a loss as to how poor we are at the minute.

Even if we could look at a strong defence as a foundation to build on that would be a bit of hope, but we haven't got that at all.

Think the goalkeeper situation has taken us a big backwards step from Byrne.

Ruairi stepped away from county.

[imtommygunn]

The sad thing is here that we could be looking at being the worst team in Ireland in the very near future if something doesn't change...

[Spike]

There is no hiding it, yesterday was poor.   midfield wiped out and forwards continually coughing up cheap possession.  no kickout work and no defensive structure.  the lack of pressure on the 2 point kickers in the 1st half ultimately left us chasing the game. shooting appears to be a problem both from accuracy and 2 pointers.

poor crowd attendance too.  there is more at a club game.

throw in there is nothing in the pipeline and has been nothing for years means a very sobering afternoon

there is a systematic problem at juvenile levels in antrim. both hurlers and footballers bottom of the league.
 
the rot has been there for years and now there is no hiding it.

not all gloom but certainly a lot of it.

this is where Bannside comes in and tells us we will be ok 

[belfastsaff]

even BS knows that team isn't playing for the manager - poor showing.

[NatSoSaff]

Despite a lack of evidence thus far to support positivity, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that we can win the remaining 4 league games. Even 3 out of the 4 would turn the negativity around enough to look forward to the tailteann cup with a lot more optimism. From our current position, finishing on 6-8 points in the league and getting to a tailteann quarters would be enough for me to be content that the new regime is settling and ready to push on next year. But it's the turnover of players that worry me. And this isn't a new thing. People coming and going during the season/out of season, players who should be in their prime for county football. It's been happening for years in Antrim. I get that things aren't easy and the outside scrutiny from places like this doesn't make it any more appealing for people to maintain commitment. But it has to change. Every season the 'championship' 15 seems to change dramatically from the season before. No progression, no 'building' towards something. We can call for the managers head now and watch the cycle repeat all over AGAIN next year. There is no trap door this year, let them get on with it and hope they find their feet soon, because we may be no more than a division 4 team as things stand, but we are better than this. To believe otherwise is a dangerous mindset and in my opinion totally wrong.

[EOC1923]

After falling into Div 4 in 2020 Louth GAA implemented a strategic overhaul involving elite coaching, administrative reform and major infrastructure investment. One of the items focused on was strategic planning, with a review to streamline player pathways, improve retention in Urban clubs and enhance commercial self sufficiency through initiatives like An Lu.
Instead of all the money spent on big name managers like Davy Fitz (im sure Doran quite expensive also) could we not focus on the above?

[SaffronSports]

After falling into Div 4 in 2020 Louth GAA implemented a strategic overhaul involving elite coaching, administrative reform and major infrastructure investment. One of the items focused on was strategic planning, with a review to streamline player pathways, improve retention in Urban clubs and enhance commercial self sufficiency through initiatives like An Lu.
Instead of all the money spent on big name managers like Davy Fitz (im sure Doran quite expensive also) could we not focus on the above?

Im sure Mickey Harte was doing it for the love of the game down in Louth...

Is it that other counties are generating more money than us as Louth have had a few big name managers themselves and can also invest in these things?

Do we struggle with non-GAA friendly councils? I know when you go outside Antrim, the standard of facilities goes up with the exception of a few clubs. Are they better at getting funding from public money or just luckier with more private funders.

I know i was trying to be a bit smart about Louth/Harte there but you are right in that it has to come from future generations of players and to create those players we need the best facilities.

Look at the struggle to get a suitable pitch for Longford, Elaine Dowds from the camogie said theyve not been able to get on a grass pitch to train while Tipp have. Like it rains in Tipp too so again probably comes down to better facilities and investment on being able to look after the pitches. 

There's plenty of people would point out reasons for us being where we are and there might be truth in most of them but short of winning the Euromillions and having enough money to invest in all the areas that need investment there's only so much we can do.

[NorthAntrimSaff]

After falling into Div 4 in 2020 Louth GAA implemented a strategic overhaul involving elite coaching, administrative reform and major infrastructure investment. One of the items focused on was strategic planning, with a review to streamline player pathways, improve retention in Urban clubs and enhance commercial self sufficiency through initiatives like An Lu.
Instead of all the money spent on big name managers like Davy Fitz (im sure Doran quite expensive also) could we not focus on the above?

Doran shouldnt be that expensive hes done f**k all

[bannside]

Personally I thought we were a shoe in for promotion, so the -21 point score average after just three games is nothing short of alarming.

I never thought I would see the day we were rock bottom of the pile. Its just not acceptable under any circumstances.

People are turning from disappoinment after Carlow, frustration after Tipp...to downright angry after yesterday.

And make no mistake, the double jobbing of the manager hasnt made him any friends.

Im giving it till Leitrim in my own head, if we dont come back up the road with two good points, its bye bye blackbird.

No ifs or buts!