@Glentaisie What the hell’s going on here? Glenariffe beating Cushendall in minor championship?
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Not that big a shock as it would have been in years gone by. Glenariffe have done great work underage last 10 years. Won the U16 title last year and were runners up in the North Antrim minor championship. One of the favourites at minor this year and they also beat Cushendall last week in the U15 League.
Have to caveat it though, they have players from other clubs playing underage with them, namely from Cushendun and Glenarm. However, theres no doubt in a few years they will benefit at senior level. My guess now is they will have a run like Cushendun did from the early 90’s to the mid 2000’s when they were a solid Div. 1 team and got to a county final in 2000. In the long run the if likes of Glenariffe and St Endas can get a long run in Div. 1 and the senior championship then county teams should be stronger.
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That’s great stuff. Glenariffe have a great tradition and would be wonderful to see them back competing.
St Enda’s is a good story too. Did they opt to play in N Antrim at underage and improved because of that decision? Have a notion somebody said there’s a Ballycastle man involved with them?
Jesus, there’s a blast from the past. He was an absolute gent God be good to him.
Wasn’t it in Newbridge he was one day following the Saffrons and the had a mighty day of it altogether, music, porter and even footage of the occasion. He loved the jersey, the people and games. RIP.
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Antrim Antrim Antrim
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Who has Antrim in the Leinster championship?
Amazing what a year of closed pubs can do for Antrim hurling.
CJ is hurling for Tyrone these days.
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I’d defer to @Glentaisie for analysis. But my own take would be that Antrim worked incredibily hard but especially in the 1st half didn’t hurl well, Basic mistakes and poor vision. Need to up their physicality. Walsh, McManus & McKenna stood up. McNaughton has a touch of class about him. Campbell is nowhere near the hurler he was a few years ago & looks to be carrying an extra pound or two.
On the up side, lots to improve and that’s a great result. Last year, 2 years, 3 years ago Wexford win y 10/15. We’re getting there.
Neil McManus is a terrific hurler!
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Think it’s the Jackeens
9/2 for antrim. Might be worth a bite. They have been impressive throughout the league
Dublin had 8 points on us a couple of weeks ago but today shows there’s room for a lot of improvement.The belief that Antrim deserve to be there seems to be in the squad and the workrate is there. My worry is the first touch & delivery out of defence lacks something. Too many times today the ball came out to the 40m line & was delivered long to a 1 or 2 man forward line. Antrim are not Kilkenny!
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Antrim have started slow in all the league games but they have got up to the pitch of it in all the games. Cant start as slow in the championship game vs Dublin. Walsh is a very strong presence at full back now and the defence was very good in the 2nd half today. McKenna is important in the half forward line, he can win his own ball, not something Antrim have always had. James McNaughton is a great bit of stuff but i think overall you can see Gleeson has been working hard on the short passing game and movement off the ball and its showing.
I know its only a 5 game league but i cant remember a Div 1 league campaign in which Antrim havent suffered at least one 10 point defeat. Hopefully Laois dont destroy that record.
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Do Antrim have an extra month or 6 weeks of training under their belts or would that come into it at all? Were the northern teams allowed back training earlier?
I think the way the game has gone with all the teams trying to keep possession its inevitable that you are going to turnover the ball, you just need to minimise the amount of turnovers. Wexford gave away possession today and both Limerick and Cork too this evening. At this stage i dont think Antrim will change direction they just need to keep working on the first touch and control up to the Dublin game.
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Looks to be improving. Their fitness is good also. They’re a fine side with a right bit of dog.
Christ what kind of a plank is he using at all
Wouldnt matter if it was made of mahogany to him. 