Antrim Football Thread

[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!

[NatSoSaff]

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?

Sounds great. So how do we streamline player pathways and retain players at club level using methods that havent been tried to date?

[Walter Cronc]

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?

Sounds great. So how do we streamline player pathways and retain players at club level using methods that havent been tried to date?

I'm like a stuck record player but you could start by trying to retain players from travelling to and playing for Derry schools??  Invest in St Louis and get lads from Cargin/Creggan/M'Glass and PG1 going there. I dunno twin it with some Antrim sub academy or that!

[imtommygunn]

Surely getting trained in the derry schools is doing them good not harm...

[Walter Cronc]

Surely getting trained in the derry schools is doing them good not harm...

Not if you are trying to create an Antrim club like culture...IMO

[NAG1]

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?

Sounds great. So how do we streamline player pathways and retain players at club level using methods that havent been tried to date?

I'm like a stuck record player but you could start by trying to retain players from travelling to and playing for Derry schools??  Invest in St Louis and get lads from Cargin/Creggan/M'Glass and PG1 going there. I dunno twin it with some Antrim sub academy or that!

Plus, on this one unless they are getting the grades they aren't getting in to St Louis. Hurling or Football ability don't count.

The schools they are going too are taking all comers.

[imtommygunn]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

[NAG1]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

I get your point totally, bit of a conundrum because the parents wont send their kids to schools they feel are inferior and the schools can't get out of that rut without the kids.

There needs to be investment into the schools and development squads on a level we've not seen before and a realisation that this is the only way to improve things, not your flashy senior managers etc etc.

It is generational work in schools and clubs to lift the standard and playing pool across the board.

Genuinely isnt rocket science but will be expensive and it will be hard work.

[Walter Cronc]

Yeah I see where you're coming from - my only counter would be that most of the best players you see coming out of the south west seem to have went to derry schools which I doubt is coincidence in terms of mindset / coaching etc. That's how it shouldn't be mind you...

I get your point totally, bit of a conundrum because the parents wont send their kids to schools they feel are inferior and the schools can't get out of that rut without the kids.

There needs to be investment into the schools and development squads on a level we've not seen before and a realisation that this is the only way to improve things, not your flashy senior managers etc etc.

It is generational work in schools and clubs to lift the standard and playing pool across the board.

Genuinely isnt rocket science but will be expensive and it will be hard work.

Totally but the Convent are St Louis are on a par academically - understand if lads attend Maghera/St Pius. Antrim have to think outside the box and pairing the school with a county academy might be one way of doing it. I reference Trillick lads previously attending St Michaels Enniskillen. That doesn't appear to happen anymore going by Omagh teamsheets. Not sure if its by chance or Tyrone GAA keen to keep lads within the county??

Regarding costs - Ulster GAA have shafted Antrim this past 10 years or more over Casement. The county board should be demanding huge investment in structures in return!