Personally I think thereare three main issues that need to be sorted out;
1. The losing mentality and the slabbering when things aren't going our way. Against cavan the game was in the balance and there for the taking ( a good sports psychologists neede here perhaps). It was like we were afraid to go for it. As for the slabering you see it all the time right through from underage to senior, in the countryside places like tyrone and armagh you know that, from playing with these guys when they get hit they get back up and hit the guy harder. In Antrim people seem to like to moan about it.

2.The schools. It's simple, you see it in Tyrone and they are reaping the benefits now. They got the schools right and got everyone playing and now look at what they are doing at a national level. Antrim has a massive pool of talent, everyone needs to be playikng and that happens through the schools.

3.Club Aontroma. Again look at Tyrone. The first thing Brian Dooher mentioned in his speech was Club Tyrone. People need to support Club Aontroma because nowadays you need the funds to do anything. Tyrone had a performance coach employed this year. All the big counties have sports psychologists in. Antrim need to be as professional as possible to succeed.

If these 3 things are sorted out it won't guarantee success, we willl still need the right manager etc., but it will mean good structures are in place for Antrim to come back gradually as a force in football.

It would be great to hear some people's views on this.

Saffron (Antrim) - Posts: 216 - 28/09/2008 22:30:43    109759

You forgot problem number 4. Being in a big city, players are easily distracted. Too much else to do and see.

Refill_Pad (Tyrone) - Posts: 78 - 29/09/2008 21:57:55    110652

We need a manager that will not stand for player power. I have said it before pilar is the man for the job. Slabbering all players slabber they just cant get away from it the same as the fans

gabby (Antrim) - Posts: 173 - 30/09/2008 10:30:53    110849

My long last memory regarding the last Antrim Championship match against Cavan was that the game resembled more of a "nice" friendly than a championship encounter. As Cavan ran through us time after time there was not a decent tackle put in. There was not one bloood and thunder tackle, no yellow cards and naturally no win from Antrim. The team appeared to be lacking the testies required to win a championship match.
We have some good players in Antrim, Sean Kelly and Paddy Cunningham would walk on to any county team. We have some great young players. But we need a manager who is a winner and can get that winning ethos across to the players. And yes we do have players who can complain and moan and worse. But then so does every county team, every soccer team, even my own team.
But the managers need to manage these precocious talents and channel their energy into the match and not against each other or in the press.

We need to push the boat out and get the likes of John Rafferty or John McCluskey , or a manager of that ilk who knws what it is to win and be successful.

galled (Antrim) - Posts: 251 - 03/10/2008 23:16:37    113612

Has anyone suggested tying the CCC to a sprinter van and driving them into the lagan?

st pauls fan (Antrim) - Posts: 130 - 17/10/2008 19:12:07    121601

why not the lough and use a lada instead of a vansprinter

gabby (Antrim) - Posts: 173 - 18/10/2008 21:13:31    121859

Galled, As a Cavanman i actually felt the same at the Cavan v Antrim game. Too much nicey nicey by both teams. I knew after that match that we were not going anywhere fast even though we won. There was no hard tackles or blanket defence in that game and it resembled a friendly match between two hairdressing firms.

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 18/10/2008 23:00:38    121900

who won the under 16 football final ,had to leave after the St Johns game ,best under 14 team i can remember watching.

magic (Antrim) - Posts: 37 - 19/10/2008 12:20:12    121957

How about the County Board try to help big colleges . It is proven that if you have competitive colleges in the MacRory Cup then you will have competitive county teams. Schools need a motivation to promote gaelic in Belfast. Schoolboys (and i know this from experience) in the city think that Antrim will never win anything. They turn to soccer and basketball because they dont believe gaelic will bring them success. Colleges would need some sort of inititave from the county board.

GreenMan93 (Derry) - Posts: 1 - 20/10/2008 21:24:14    122943

You try to start a reeasonable post and people like this Gabby and St. Pauls fan come on and make jokes (terrible jokes at that). If you have nothing positive to say don't say anything at all, leave the posting to people who actually care about the future of Antrim football (though there doesn't seem to be many, perhaps thtat's the problem). All reasonable comments are welcome.

Saffron (Antrim) - Posts: 216 - 20/10/2008 21:26:53    122944

saffron you should ask the county board what are they doing to resolve the football problem. The problem I think is that we have not got enough talent in the County, also my self and St. PAUL'S fan do care about the football in the County. We just like having a dig at the hierarchy that run this county how many are they going to interview for the mangers post. Now I Hear that baker Bradley has applied for it (baker) as in (Laim Bradley) next thing you know it will pat the baker. We don't mean to offend it is all a bit of fun

gabby (Antrim) - Posts: 173 - 21/10/2008 10:09:59    123102

Hey up lad, whats all this gurning about then? said fred elliot.
Thanks to the gabby maestro for keeping up the defence. When you spend year after year watching the footballers fall flat on their face, only THEN the true supporter remains optimistic, dillusional and in need of medication. I have never wained from my duties as Aontroim's number 1 supporter. Ask my wife. ......................No dont ask her. Lets forget all this about antirm for the moment, lets concentrate on the remark about the jokes not being funny. Lets concentrate on the new 93 million euro training centre for st brigids in the french alps. Antrim should change their colours back to grey.

st pauls fan (Antrim) - Posts: 130 - 21/10/2008 14:39:23    123312

What I mean to say is that it doesn't help people writing on and slagging off Antrim, have a joke about how bad we are at the minute and a whee quick dig at the county board. There's enough people whining about Antrim. It won't do us any good. I know it's light hearted and whatever but it is noticeable that it does creep into to the natural negative mindset that is so rife in our county.

Saffron (Antrim) - Posts: 216 - 21/10/2008 22:00:28    123635

First thing you need to do is get your club league schedule sorted out. It's a shambles. It's no coincidence that armagh football started to improve when the county board sorted out the league football. After that, an outside MANAGER, not coach. Someone who can instill a sense of pride and passion in to the footballers and be strong enough to get rid of those who won't toe the line!!! The backroom staff then becomes very important. People who are forward thinking and not afraid to try new things. Finally, an open minded approach from the players to try new things and be willing to learn from others around them, not keep the ' i know everything ' attitude that SOME of them currently have!!!

ArmaghPaddy (Armagh) - Posts: 178 - 22/10/2008 14:04:14    124066

what can be done to fix antrim football..... cant believe this has been overlooked within the county... jus get patrique in to manage minors under 21s and senior team,, all ireland in 5 years guaranteed....

sons.of.erin (UK) - Posts: 343 - 22/10/2008 14:54:44    124108

It's easy to sit & complain, but what are you all trying to do about it at your own Clubs. It's easy to blame the County for everything but alot rests with the Clubs as well. If the majority of Clubs can come up with a solution to the leagues then get it passed at the County convention then next year we have no one to blame but ourselves. Though I doubt this will ever happen and the CCC could make some recommendations from this years sham and we could be worse off. Armagh Paddy do the Club teams in Armagh play league games without their County stars & do you have a reserve football league.

Aldergrove Gael (Antrim) - Posts: 161 - 22/10/2008 15:30:39    124166

Quite simply Aldergrove Gael, Yes and Yes. My own club suffers more than most as we have three county panelists, Paul McGrane, Paddy McKeever and Paul Courtney. I think only Cross and Pearse Ogs have more. The decision was taken about 10 or 12 years ago that you play away regardless of your county players. The 'B' League, as it's termed in Armagh, is played on either a tuesday or a thursday night depending on which part of Armagh you're from (North, Mid or South).
My simple solution for League problems in Antrim are this. Either
1) Football/ Hurling on Friday night, the other on a sunday. OR
2) Football Sunday and Wednesday this week, Hurling Sunday and Wednesday the next week.
Matches should be played unless severe weather or extraordinary circumstances.
Even if a match or two is called off, there would be plenty of time at the tail end of the season for those to be played.
People may complain about having to get off work for midweek away matches and stuff, but if the fixture list is published and adhered to, there should not be a major problem.
Let's face it, it won't be any worse than the current debacle!
ARMAGHPADDY for Antrim County Chairman!!!

ArmaghPaddy (Armagh) - Posts: 178 - 23/10/2008 14:06:28    125003

Are you having a laugh Armagh paddy its bad having a cushendun man for a chairman let alone a Ballyhegan one. I think that is were you are from is it not, remind me is that between Portadown and Loughgall

gabby (Antrim) - Posts: 173 - 23/10/2008 18:49:44    125414

lol Gabby!!! Correect and right. Ballyhegan is out the back roads from Portadown to Loughgall!

ArmaghPaddy (Armagh) - Posts: 178 - 24/10/2008 14:18:10    125908

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how we can improve our Club football structures as we aint gona fix them overnight. I will offer my opinion (and it's only my opinion so don't start going mad). 4No Senior Football Leagues With 3No Reserve Football Leagues running beside them. As I'm proposing only 4 Senior Leagues from the original 6 a year of transition would need to be applied eg bottom 2 Clubs in Div 1, bottom 3 Clubs in Div2 & bottom Senior Club in Div3 go down & First Senior Club of Div2,3 & 4 promoted, although some Clubs would not be happy about this it would only be for 1 year then I'm proposing bottom Club straight down & top Club straight Up in all divisions now for the tricky part (playoffs to go up & down) Clubs finishing 6th,7th & 8th go into a relegation playoff 6th & 7th play each other with the loser then playing 8th to decide who goes down, Clubs finishing 2nd, 3rd & 4th go into a promotion playoff 3rd & 4th play each other with the winner then playing 2nd to decide who goes up. Stay with me here as I'm also proposing that the championships are based on the Leagues as well First 11/12 Clubs plus the winner of the IFC from the previous year all go into the SFC 12 Clubs in total next 11/12 Clubs plus the winner of the JFC from the previous year all go into the IFC 12 Clubs in total, the rest all go into the JFC 10 Clubs in total. This would all add more competion to our Leagues as nearly every place means something. The reserve League would be based on your senior teams status & what league they play in meaning the one venue for both matches cutting down on traveling and the Senior coaches could see the reserve players playing if a Club does not have a reserve team then your reserve team has a free week. It's about strengthening the Clubs to strengthen our County as one. As per the All County League standings today this is the way the Leagues would look. Div 1 1.Cargin 2.St Galls 3.St Brigids 4.Portglenone 5.Creggan Kickhams 6.St. Pauls 7.St. Johns 8.Lamh Dhearg 9.Moneyglass Div 2 10.Rasharkin 11.Gort Na Mona 12.Glenavy 13.Aghagallon 14.St. Endas 15.Sarsfields 16.Rossa 17.Dunloy 18.Ahoghill Div3 19.Davitts 20.All Saints 21.Glenravel 22.Ardoyne 23.St. Teresas 24.Aldergrove 25.Tir na Nog 26.Mc Dermotts 27.St. Agnes Div 4 28.Eire Og 29.St. Malachys 30.O Donnells 31.Ballycastle 32.Antrim 33.Lisburn 34.Mitchels Div 1 Reserve Cargin 2 St Galls 2 St Brigids 2 Portglenone 2 Creggan Kickhams 2 St. Pauls 2 St. Johns 2 Lamh Dhearg 2 Moneyglass 2 Div 2 Reserve Rasharkin 2 Gort Na Mona 2 Glenavy 2 St. Endas 2 Sarsfields 2 Dunloy 2 Ahoghill 2 Div3 Reserve All Saints 2 Glenravel 2 Aldergrove 2 Tir na Nog 2 Cargin 3 St Galls 3

Aldergrove Gael (Antrim) - Posts: 161 - 29/10/2008 15:38:09    128959