Some pretty scathing comments in today's Irish News from the Loughiel Shamrocks hurler Liam Watson who said that "bitter club rivalry is keeping Antrim back". Liam has merely confirmed what most Antrim Gaels have known for a long time; that many within county cannot and will not put their club rivalries aside for the greater good of the county teams. Antrim club sides can compete and win All Ireland club competitions but our county sides have been pretty woeful. There are top players from both codes within the county who have no time for the county and no real desire to wear the Saffron shirt and that is shocking. How is it that most other counties can suspend club rivalries and wear their county shirts with pride or do some other counties have this problem too?

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 05/02/2013 10:41:31    1328816

I suppose thats the media from the Souths fault as well?

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 05/02/2013 10:51:20    1328825

Galway have a problem with this also.

ConnollyDub (Dublin) - Posts: 2007 - 05/02/2013 10:51:23    1328826

Well Wicklow really did until Micko came along. I actually think it has a bit of an effect in Mayo, more than is spoken about anyway.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 05/02/2013 10:53:24    1328827

Club rivalry in Tyrone can be pretty savage too UM, and its county footballers who are usually targeted for 'special' treatment, but yes, that can all be set aside for the greater good of the county.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 05/02/2013 10:53:27    1328828

Move on Moomoo the Armagh/Tyrone/Down/Donegal defeats are now history; you can't let them hold you back forever.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 05/02/2013 11:23:10    1328854

I know the Wicklow club scene is fierce as well and there are some real feuds and bitterness there too.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 05/02/2013 11:36:27    1328864

This is much more an issue with the top clubs (or those which think they are) in the county in both codes. The further down the pecking order you go the less likely you are to encounter this bad blood. Players from 'lesser' clubs are more enthusiastic for playing for the county and are just happy to be given the chance. Players from the bigger clubs seem to think they have a certain amount of power in relation to who they are gonna play alongside and this has an adverse effect on the county team.

I played on an antrim junior hurling team a lot of years ago now and the camaraderie within the squad, from all players from all clubs, was fantastic. There was no one with an ego or an axe to grind with anyone else and i believe this is how our senior panel should be. They players need to put aside pety arguements and club rivalries and concentrate on making the county team be the best it can be. tyrone, as pointed out, are a fine example of this ethos

frankbhoy77 (Antrim) - Posts: 1300 - 05/02/2013 11:36:28    1328865

Ulsterman
County: Antrim
Posts: 5777

1328854
Move on Moomoo the Armagh/Tyrone/Down/Donegal defeats are now history; you can't let them hold you back forever.

Its you that bring them up time and again no one else. Im just saying you normally blame the media for all Ulster teams problems

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 05/02/2013 11:48:40    1328873

Frank,

A few years back (a right few years back) I played a few games for an Antrim schools select against Dublin and Galway select sides. I played quite well but was told by a few people that no matter how good I was I wouldn't get a chance on the county minor panel while I still played for my Division 2 team.I was told that I would have to join one of the top club sides and that I would be held back if I didn't; it was inferred that some individuals on the top sides would ensure I wouldn't get a chance. I stayed with the club I was at playing junior football but hated the petty politics involved in Antrim. I eventually went on to play at a decent level in soccer but my experiences did leave a sour taste with me about the GAA scene in the county. The egos, bitterness and petty jealousy in Antrim have to be experienced to be believed.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 05/02/2013 12:12:06    1328886

Sorry Moomoo but it appears to be you that has brought this rubbish about southern media etc. into the discussion this time.

frankbhoy77 (Antrim) - Posts: 1300 - 05/02/2013 12:13:45    1328888

frankbhoy77
County: Antrim
Posts: 860

1328888
Sorry Moomoo but it appears to be you that has brought this rubbish about southern media etc. into the discussion this time.

Just pointing out the fact he's normally very fast to blame the media when it comes to Ulster teams. Also i was saying its always him that brings up Kerry and Tyrone etc

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 05/02/2013 12:28:14    1328898

Irony isn't a word Moomoo does well.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 05/02/2013 12:31:14    1328901

Fecking Southern Media have questions to answer though -by chosing to ignore what goes on in Antrim club hurling they are in effect supporting it by not bringing it to the fore and shaming it out of our game. There, happy moomoo.... :-)

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 05/02/2013 12:34:28    1328906

The HS MODS have no problem censoring comments on other threads so why is Moomoo allowed to ruin this one with his nonsense?

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 05/02/2013 12:47:17    1328913

Take this away to the antrim board where the people there can give as little care to it as we do here!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 05/02/2013 15:42:00    1329077

I've always noticed how Antrim county hurling teams when they play in Croke Park lack any real fight. When Down & Derry hurlers came through Ulster they at least weren't afraid to have a cut. It's a shame really because Antrim hurling folk love their hurling & are fiercely passionate about it.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 05/02/2013 16:09:39    1329109

The same could be said for many of the 'dublin' threads that appear on the main page snuff!
As for moomoo, you lads should know by now never to enter into an argument with an unarmed man! ;)

Getting back to the actual subject, surely they could sort there differences for the good of the county,
club football in Tyrone is war sometimes and the same in Derry! Dialogue is required.

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 05/02/2013 16:10:09    1329110

Every county in Ireland has bitter club rivalries so I don't really see that as much of an excuse for not wanting to represent your county in football or hurling- it should be a privilege to represent your club/parish at a national level with your county, whether it be at underage or senior level. I find it hard to believe that this is not the case in some counties.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 05/02/2013 16:36:30    1329133

Indeed Gate I suggest snuff practices what he/she preaches; there are currently 4/5 threads on the main page involving Dublin. Now if snuff had the wider concern of the GAA at heart he/she would be interested in the 2nd biggest GAA urban population on the island. Furthermore I think any leading player from any county making comments like these in a newspaper should be listened to. As for dialogue Gate I think the Arabs and Israelis would have more chance of success in talks than the Antrim clubs.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9818 - 05/02/2013 16:45:53    1329137