Ulster Colleges

[gallsman]

From a Down perspective its been another poor year for schools at senior level, Abbey and Colmans beat in 1/4 finals of Mc Rory and Red High and St Malachys the same in Mc Larnon, its not looking great for future!!

Another very disappointing year for our schools. Plans afoot I see to send GDO's into our secondary schools. This is a move in the right direction. Just thinking as well. We've one Ulster MFC title in the past 36 years and that was in 1999.

You also won an AI minor in '05 after losing the Ulster final in fairness.

[thewobbler]

What is the purpose of the Macrory Cup?

Is it a trophy that is awarded to the "best" school football team in Ulster that year, or is it to give students the chance to play at the highest level in schools football in Ulster?
I think that needs to be clarified.

If it is the chance for students to play at the highest level (and so amalgamations are allowed) then why would the same logic not apply at club football where divisional teams or amalgamations could enter provincial or national competitions?  This would give more club footballers the chance to test themselves at the highest level (to use Damian Diver's line of thinking).

Students already have an amalgamation option to play at the highest level: it's called county minor football.

Schools football should plough its own furrow.

[gallsman]

Why? Why wouldn't that apply to clubs?

[thewobbler]

Why? Why wouldn't that apply to clubs?

Why?

The channel already exists for every single schools player to compete at the highest representative level.

A more pertinent question is why would that group of players need another competition that does the same thing? It just weakens both competitions.

—-

Clubs is very different. If you happen to be born in a parish with a small catchment area, then amalgamations will be your only pathway to play juvenile club football. There is no alternative, let alone one doing pretty much the same thing.

[outinfront]

From a Down perspective its been another poor year for schools at senior level, Abbey and Colmans beat in 1/4 finals of Mc Rory and Red High and St Malachys the same in Mc Larnon, its not looking great for future!!

Another very disappointing year for our schools. Plans afoot I see to send GDO's into our secondary schools. This is a move in the right direction. Just thinking as well. We've one Ulster MFC title in the past 36 years and that was in 1999.

Knock and Aquinas served up a tight game of football in the Quarter Final yesterday.  There's plenty of work being done by the schools and local clubs for sure.

[Armagh18]

Why? Why wouldn't that apply to clubs?

Schools generally would be able to field a team of 15. A lot of clubs especially in rural areas have to amalgamate to field at all. I know in Armagh most amalgamations are in the lower divisions and even at that would struggle, cases of 2-3 club amalgamations just about fielding.

Don't think it really should happen at schools level tbh.

[JoG2]

Why? Why wouldn't that apply to clubs?

Why?

The channel already exists for every single schools player to compete at the highest representative level.

A more pertinent question is why would that group of players need another competition that does the same thing? It just weakens both competitions.

—-

Clubs is very different. If you happen to be born in a parish with a small catchment area, then amalgamations will be your only pathway to play juvenile club football. There is no alternative, let alone one doing pretty much the same thing.

I'd disagree....playing schools football @ the highest level during school terms and being coached by good coaches is hugely beneficial for their clubs and counties. It's these players who will make up the vast majority of the county panels in some counties.

[thewobbler]

Why? Why wouldn't that apply to clubs?

Why?

The channel already exists for every single schools player to compete at the highest representative level.

A more pertinent question is why would that group of players need another competition that does the same thing? It just weakens both competitions.

—-

Clubs is very different. If you happen to be born in a parish with a small catchment area, then amalgamations will be your only pathway to play juvenile club football. There is no alternative, let alone one doing pretty much the same thing.

I'd disagree....playing schools football @ the highest level during school terms and being coached by good coaches is hugely beneficial for their clubs and counties. It's these players who will make up the vast majority of the county panels in some counties.

So can you explain how it would then differentiate from county minor?

[quit yo jibbajabba]

Derry El Clasico on tonight

[Newbridge Exile]

 Will Hopefully head out to it tonight   

[theticklemister]

Do the schools that are part of the amalgamation have single school teams for those who aren't good enough for the amalgamation (maybe playing in one of the lower competitions). The amalgamation is obviously good for the few from each school who make the team, not so good for those that would be on their own school team if it existed.

Had a quick look - both Gaoth Dobhair and Glenties schools made the quarters of the Markey Cup, GD are still in it at the semi stage. No idea if the amalgamation players from either played, or what the other schools are at. I'd imagine their normal teams would still go ahead.

My Oul school at St.  Columbs do that. Won a Markey Cup semi-final today. Think we win it a few years back. When I was at it, we got to three McLarnon finals in a row, winning one. If non-grammar schools were allowed to compete back then, I dare say we would have been a middle of the road team back then. Up the Catholic hierarchy!!

[Wildweasel74]

The highest underage level was county minor, or it was, when it was U18. Nobody wants to play in a school team of 3/4 schools, especially as local schools dislike each other. It not about progressing players to county level, that what county minor and U20 are for. It's the chance for a school team to win a MacCrory Cup, no more.

[theticklemister]

The highest underage level was county minor, or it was, when it was U18. Nobody wants to play in a school team of 3/4 schools, especially as local schools dislike each other. It not about progressing players to county level, that what county minor and U20 are for. It's the chance for a school team to win a MacCrory Cup, no more.

I'll counteract that.

Cathair Doire entered a team this year in McRory, really no chance of winning it, but time and time again when interviewed, the coaches said it's about experience and it's true.

[bennydorano]

Dunno why anyone would want to deny any young fella the chance to play at MacRory level.

Have spent £5 on the classico here. 2.0 to Maghera after 10. Magherafelt are a big physical looking side.

[thewobbler]

Dunno why anyone would want to deny any young fella the chance to play at MacRory level.

Have spent £5 on the classico here. 2.0 to Maghera after 10. Magherafelt are a big physical looking side.

And I don't know why our forefathers bothered their arses creating and fostering competitive schools football, when they could have just run all star type games a few times a year, giving everyone a runout.