I think there has been many a reason put forward here towards Antrims short comings not just Croke Park, but while we're on the subject you talk about us getting our house in order, one senior all Ireland for Dublin in recent years given the investment, infrastructure and countless thousands of club members?? you might want to get off your high horse and have a look at your own house first

Topa_the_left (Antrim) - Posts: 250 - 12/05/2013 17:14:53    1382582

I would like some figures released by the Ulster Council and Croke Park on finances given to varying counties for coaching, grants etc; it would be interesting to see who gets what.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9840 - 12/05/2013 17:22:13    1382589

Ulsterman
County: Antrim
Posts: 6053

1382562 Seany, do yourself a favour and read posts before replying to what you assume has been wrtten. As teachers say before exams; read and answer what is asked for and not what you think was asked. I did NOT pin ALL Antrim's ills on the Ulster Council, Croke Park OR the conflict. I have already stated on this thread that many of Antrim's problems are self inflicted BUT that these other elements are small contributing factors as well. FACT; Belfast, particularly North Belfast, has more cheek by jowl interfaces and sectarian divisions than anywhere else in Western Europe AND that did have an effect on the GAA in the city where some clubs like Ardoyne, St. Enda's and Pearses had numerous memebers killed; the GAA and potential players HAVE been affected by the conflict. FACT; there has been a lack of resources put into Antrim and Belfast by the GAA compared to other major Irish urban areas like Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick etc; release the figures. FACT; Belfast bore the brunt of sectarian killings compared to other parts of the 6 counties and Nationalists there didn't have the rallying focus of local GAA clubs unlike rural parts of the North where Gaels probably bonded around the Gaelic club during the conflict and that's why they are stronger now. These are not excuses just facts and statistics.


I didn't read your first post so i partially accept that rebuke. But some of the other variables here are nonsense in my view. Sectarian interfaces in North Belfast as a reason why Antrim are unsuccessful? Crossmaglen were arguably the most persecuated clubs in Ireland yet they are one of the most successful. This is just a guess, but there are probably more people playing Gaelic Football on the Falls Road alone than that playing in the likes of Fermanagh and other smaller counties. As regards rallying members around a club. True persecution may be factor but there are many other variables that produce a tight knit club. I don't agree that Belfast clubs lack the sense of club or ability to bond that large northern or southern areas have. I've been in huge GAA clubs in Belfast that would rival the best of clubs in Dublin.

Also the facts you produced regarding the lack of resources. Where are the figures? Produce them, and if you cannot i'd suggest you stop speaking of facts until you can back such statement up with data. Perhaps you could learn to use the phrase, In my opinion....

In my view Antrims problems are in house. The fact that they can produce All Ireland club winning teams suggests they have players of the sufficent standard so perhaps devote more time to the issues raised in your first post!

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1663 - 12/05/2013 19:37:31    1382668

Ulsterman,if those figures you want backed up your argument you would use them as evidence,if they discredited your argument you would dismiss them as lies and propaganda.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 12/05/2013 19:55:46    1382676

Last night's pathetic display against Laois merely confirmed that Antrim hurling at county level is dead and buried and has been for quite a while. ALL of those on the county board and the various committees associated with the county teams, developent, coaching etc should now RESIGN because they have presided over total failure in both codes the past 2/3 years and in hurling for the past 15 years. Antrim hurling at county level has gone and the footballers have been relegated two seasons in a row and no one is prepared to take responsibility. The county is now a joke and not a funny one at that.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9840 - 19/05/2013 14:00:41    1386520

Going to call a spade a spade here - but Belfast has been anglicized. Was in a well-known republican club on Falls today, hoping big screen for games, an English soccer game got preference.Now, I have no issue, people are into different things, but to have my ear bent about 'if Antrim were good we would fill Casement' - found it offensive. I hear the arguments daily - 'the GAA are just money grabbers etc' yet people are willing to shell out £50 + for sky, a Rupert Murdoch entity which is the mouthpiece of Thatcherism and all it stands for. Belfast is full of contradictions.
As for the playing side, in hurling, despite last night where we just didn't perform (credit Laois and Cheddar, they didn't let us) but still think we are in a better place today than we were 12 months ago when the 'best' hurlers (not necessarily players) in county were on the panel. Give Ryan his 3 years, do believe we can progress but participation in Leinster from U14 is essential. The 1989 team came from a minor team that campaigned in Leinster minors in early 80s.
Football - oh dear. We have three top class lads not playing this year (four if you count Locky who has gone to Cork but different issue)because they had the audacity to attend a relative's anniversary mass. Dawson has lost run of himself. Yes, Sean Kelly returning is a good day for everyone, a class act. But honestly think we missed out on someone like Gearoid Adams as manager this year, young man, knows the modern game, has done relatively well with his club and part of backroom last year - therefore some continuity after Baker.
The country - city thing I don't buy anymore. Seems all the lads in football get on well, not an issue (used to be major). In hurling it's more a north Antrim Glens bitchfest. Although, the current panel appear to be at one a bit and believe they will improve fro last night.
We need to change mentalities. Especially in the city where we are over-run with plastic paddies. The unioinist thing sounds great in theory, and I am totally behind reaching out, making a few compromises to make it happen. But until we have out own house in order, how can we possibly entice anyone in? The GAA is on its last legs in Belfast, X factor, EPL and the Daily Star have massacred it. A cultural empire if you will. Sad, but the reality

srb (Antrim) - Posts: 344 - 19/05/2013 19:34:55    1386779