On a serious note its near enough the same distance from Antrim to Clare as from Antrim to Tipperary (Thurles). So therefore why don't Antrim and Clare toss for home venue.

Isolatedantrim (Antrim) - Posts: 31 - 31/08/2013 17:39:42    1471948

Yes, that's the best solution - toss a coin for home advantage!

Nobody in their wildest dreams expected Antrim to appear in the U-21 decider, but to play the game in Thurles, shows the infexibility that exists against northern counties....... this isn't the first time and won't be the last, there have been many occasions wter counties had to play againstmunster counties in strange locations, Monaghan played Cork in an All-Ireland Voc Final in Carlow, Down played Cork twice in All-Ire semis in U-21 H.C in Cork, Down played Kerry in a NHL Div 2 final in Thurles, Tyrone v Wexford in 05 NFL semi in portlaoise etc, BUT to make set of fans travel 5-7 hours and the other set of fans 1 hour to get to Thurles is unfair,,,,,regardless of what was agreeed earlier in the year, place the game in Portlaoise,

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1691 - 31/08/2013 19:50:23    1472006

Lets say that the game was moved to a more Antrim friendly venue, how many supporters would they bring to the game roughly?

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 31/08/2013 20:03:01    1472010

I think the all Ireland hurling and football competitions be renamed to the "only 3 provinces of Ireland hurling/football finals", then at least we in ulster know where we stand. its a bit like the " world series baseball" in America even though the world isn't invited to enter,lol. we all know the best country for baseball in the world is CUBA! yes we may be a small isolated county for hurling but that does not make us any less passionate than a Galway fan, or a Clare fan or any county that loves the game of hurling. our clubs can give any club in Ireland a game, and for that we are a proud county. we may be small, but we believe in standing up for our rights. yes it was wrong for Ryan to threaten to boycott the final, that would never have happened. all we ask for is a fair chance to show just how proud we Antrim folk are of our hurling. if the final stays in Semple there will probably be 1000 Antrim supporters there at most, if its in Dublin or Mullingar, there would be 5000 maybe more.i remember the 89 final, and I think the whole of county Antrim came to Dublin that day.

exref (Antrim) - Posts: 72 - 31/08/2013 20:45:41    1472045

cuchulainn35
County: Armagh
Posts: 851

1472006
Yes, that's the best solution - toss a coin for home advantage!

Nobody in their wildest dreams expected Antrim to appear in the U-21 decider, but to play the game in Thurles, shows the infexibility that exists against northern counties....... this isn't the first time and won't be the last, there have been many occasions wter counties had to play againstmunster counties in strange locations, Monaghan played Cork in an All-Ireland Voc Final in Carlow, Down played Cork twice in All-Ire semis in U-21 H.C in Cork, Down played Kerry in a NHL Div 2 final in Thurles, Tyrone v Wexford in 05 NFL semi in portlaoise etc, BUT to make set of fans travel 5-7 hours and the other set of fans 1 hour to get to Thurles is unfair,,,,,regardless of what was agreeed earlier in the year, place the game in Portlaoise,

Here we go again with the everyone is out to get the poor old Ulster counties. For a start the Antrim county board themselfs and management have have show huge disrespect. County board fixing football for the day of the semi and as another poster said the manager (whos making all the fuss) had booked a holiday for the weekend of the final. I dont recall Down playing Kerry in a Div 2 final any time lately. When was this? Kerry had to travel to Roscommon to play Derry in 2010 Div 3A final, as well has having to travel to Derry, Down and Antrim regular for NHL games and nothing is said.

Even in football Kerry fans have to travel to Dublin 2/3 times a year a 10 plus round trip and there are no complaints about it. Antrim have to do it and they threaten to pull out what makes Antrim think there so special?

All this is is another excuse for the likes of Ulsterman to push there them against us argument and how everyone os out to get Ulster teams, wile as always ignoring examples of Ulster (in this case Antrim) doing the same thing

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 31/08/2013 20:50:06    1472050

Exref, you don't get it do you?
Antrim knew before the semi final that if they won the final would be played in thurles, but they didn't say a word. They decided to wait until/if they won there before they made an issue out of it.
If anyone has a right to feel annoyed its the Gaa.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 31/08/2013 21:06:43    1472072

my friend from kerry,

you should realise the argument here - because of your geographical position, all games involving your county are placed in an appropriate location,

for example it would be grossly unfair to play a game of importance between armagh and kerry in drogheda,

yes, many have illuded to the fact the the antrim co. board in difference to the semi-final fixture, and the poor antrim support, and one would find it hard to argue with those points, but :-

1. it gives one team a clearly favourable advantage if one team has a considerably less journey to travel, player welfare etc,
2. one team ie. Antrim will have an added financial burden due to the extra journey
3. because it has been played here for the last 6/7 years doesn't mean it has to be, it also doesn't mean it is right!
4. the main reason it was shifted to thurles, was to give it a definitive spot in the calendar, and it was pencilled in at the start of the year, unlike the football equivalent, when we don't know where it is due to the many variations of the possible finalists,
5. by placing the game in thurles, really isn't doing the game of hurling a service, it's in the interest of all hurling followers. that Carlow, westmeath, down and antrim, prosper and develop and we have to help, and assist were possible,
6. the cross of cashel should go to the winner, the best team and we should not be side-tracked by the debate - which needs to be resolved
7. i don't blame Clare - every county will take whatever advantage to win,

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1691 - 31/08/2013 21:14:28    1472081

I'm guessing that Thurles was picked as the under 21 venue because its central to the counties which will compete in it 99% of the time.

For me - that's a good enough reason.

I don't think they picked it because they don't care about northern counties.

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1479 - 31/08/2013 21:57:14    1472128

joncarter, of course they didn't complain about it beforehand, because with the hindrance of our own inept county board, we honestly didn't think we would win. the people in the hurling circles know we have some very talented young hurlers, but they normally don't give it their all for the county. the way it is in antrim is the county gives our clubs nothing so we give them nothing, and that is the way its been for years. I hear that your county has got similar problems, but at least you get a good board now and then. we are only arguing for the right of the players, not the board because they give a monkeys what happens.

exref (Antrim) - Posts: 72 - 01/09/2013 09:30:53    1472140

cuchulainn35
County: Armagh
Posts: 853

1472081
my friend from kerry,

you should realise the argument here - because of your geographical position, all games involving your county are placed in an appropriate location,

for example it would be grossly unfair to play a game of importance between armagh and kerry in drogheda,

yes, many have illuded to the fact the the antrim co. board in difference to the semi-final fixture, and the poor antrim support, and one would find it hard to argue with those points, but :-

1. it gives one team a clearly favourable advantage if one team has a considerably less journey to travel, player welfare etc,
2. one team ie. Antrim will have an added financial burden due to the extra journey
3. because it has been played here for the last 6/7 years doesn't mean it has to be, it also doesn't mean it is right!
4. the main reason it was shifted to thurles, was to give it a definitive spot in the calendar, and it was pencilled in at the start of the year, unlike the football equivalent, when we don't know where it is due to the many variations of the possible finalists,
5. by placing the game in thurles, really isn't doing the game of hurling a service, it's in the interest of all hurling followers. that Carlow, westmeath, down and antrim, prosper and develop and we have to help, and assist were possible,
6. the cross of cashel should go to the winner, the best team and we should not be side-tracked by the debate - which needs to be resolved
7. i don't blame Clare - every county will take whatever advantage to win,

So the Kerry hurlers traveling to Down, Derry etc is in an appropriate location? Over the last 3/4 seasons Kerry have only played i think 2 home games in the Christy Ring Cup like i said many of the games have been in Down, Derry and the likes, you go on about fairness and teams having an advantage both not happening there are they?

As i said Kerry's Div 3A final against Derry was played in Roscommon who had to travel more? Or KErrys 3 Chirsty Ring finals against Westmeath, Wicklow and Down? Kerry had to travel more but did they complain?

As for your point about the fact its been played in Thurles in the last few years doesnt mean it has to be this year, by that logic the All Ireland shouldnt have to be played in Croke Park every year

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 01/09/2013 13:03:56    1472232

The original decision to locate the Under 21 finals at Thurles was made on the premonition that an Ulster side would NEVER get to the final and that says all you need to know about the mindset of the 'established' hurling counties and how they view lesser mortals. It was made to suit Munster and South Leinster teams but now the unfairness is out there for all to see. I once again ask Croke Park to do something here to help Antrim like make a contribution to travel/accomodation costs. 12 hours in a bus/car is not a very nice experience for any team let alone the fans who have to trek there as well. I get the impression however that the decision will stand and Antrim will get no help whatsoever to maybe kill any ambitions they have above their station and put them back in their box.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9837 - 01/09/2013 14:02:26    1472261

01/09/2013 14:02:26
Ulsterman
The original decision to locate the Under 21 finals at Thurles was made on the premonition that an Ulster side would NEVER get to the final and that says all you need to know about the mindset of the 'established' hurling counties and how they view lesser mortals. It was made to suit Munster and South Leinster teams but now the unfairness is out there for all to see. I once again ask Croke Park to do something here to help Antrim like make a contribution to travel/accomodation costs. 12 hours in a bus/car is not a very nice experience for any team let alone the fans who have to trek there as well. I get the impression however that the decision will stand and Antrim will get no help whatsoever to maybe kill any ambitions they have above their station and put them back in their box.
Playing the under 21 finals in Thurles had nothing to do with expectations of any countys making/not making the final.

12 hours???? Since when has it taken 12 hours to make it to Thurles along main roads in the country from Antrim.
Thurles as the place where the GAA was founded deserves some recognition in the playing of an all Ireland inter county final and why not the under 21.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 01/09/2013 14:30:19    1472276

Ulsterman
County: Antrim
Posts: 6383

1472261
The original decision to locate the Under 21 finals at Thurles was made on the premonition that an Ulster side would NEVER get to the final and that says all you need to know about the mindset of the 'established' hurling counties and how they view lesser mortals. It was made to suit Munster and South Leinster teams but now the unfairness is out there for all to see. I once again ask Croke Park to do something here to help Antrim like make a contribution to travel/accomodation costs. 12 hours in a bus/car is not a very nice experience for any team let alone the fans who have to trek there as well. I get the impression however that the decision will stand and Antrim will get no help whatsoever to maybe kill any ambitions they have above their station and put them back in their box.

Like always you ignore other facts to suit you. The Antrim County board and management clearly had the view they wouldnt win the semi, fixing football games and booking holidays, how come you havent commented on that? Why should Antrim be given help with travel costs? What makes them so special? Again by you logic Croke Park should be giving Kerry help with transport costs anytime they travel to Dublin should they not?

You also ignore the Ulster councils treatment of both New York and London in hurling, are you going to comment on that? Of course not because that would disprove very thing you say.

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 01/09/2013 14:36:45    1472279

I've been told that the Antrim board did refix the football fixtures affecting the U21 hurlers but 2 of the clubs involved insisted on going ahead with them anyway...

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 01/09/2013 19:34:23    1472509

I followed Antrim hurling, both club and county, the length and breadth of Ireland. Indeed many of the Antrim folk I know travel to Southern provincial matches every year. I wonder how many of the people, who would deny many of the older and younger gaels of Antrim the opportunity to see their team play in an All Ireland final in a more accessable venue, have ever been to a hurling match in Antrim. Don't knock me over in the rush!

Glensboy (Antrim) - Posts: 321 - 01/09/2013 20:17:21    1472558

Result yesterday was the worst possible for Antrim. If Clare had won the Clare U21s on the senior team would have been celebrating all week (and probably still would shine next Saturday). If they had lost they may have hit the drink, but now they will remain sober, god help Antrim. We have great young players but to work as a team you have to train like Clare have for months and months.

Brian_Coyote (Antrim) - Posts: 346 - 09/09/2013 15:43:05    1478471

Didn't I hear Antrim manager saying that they were only getting 5 or 6 lads down to training in the run up to the semi final?
I suppose it is a lot to ask them to travel down to Thurles when so many of them cant even be bothered to make the trip to their training sessions.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 09/09/2013 16:03:18    1478503

Brian_Coyote
County: Antrim
Posts: 139

1478471 Result yesterday was the worst possible for Antrim. If Clare had won the Clare U21s on the senior team would have been celebrating all week (and probably still would shine next Saturday). If they had lost they may have hit the drink, but now they will remain sober, god help Antrim. We have great young players but to work as a team you have to train like Clare have for months and months.
09/09/2013 16:03:18
joncarter
County: Galway
Posts: 805

1478503 Didn't I hear Antrim manager saying that they were only getting 5 or 6 lads down to training in the run up to the semi final?
I suppose it is a lot to ask them to travel down to Thurles when so many of them cant even be bothered to make the trip to their training sessions.



Brian coyote, County teams train for months for 1 game if they want to win. Antrim will have to do the same instead of thinking its great craic to have 6 at training starting a month before the competition starts. If they did that they would be very competitive as they have the skill but not the discipline. Galway train all year for it knowing they might only get one game. Time for Antrim to man up and start acting like a county that wants success instead of happy to take part. If they don't even want to go training, then they have no ground to complain about having to go to Thurles for an All Ireland final.

Bain (Donegal) - Posts: 470 - 09/09/2013 16:17:17    1478524

. Wouldn't have a huge degree of sympathy for supporters of Antrim. Doubt they had too many at their ulster championship games and they weren't played seven hours away. Only ones I do feel sympathy for are the management and players that actually showed up for the semi final.

That's not a bitter Clare supporter who won't travel as I really think its irrelevant where it's played. Antrims negativity appears to be over shadowing the wonderful achievement the young men have achieved in the face of no support from their county board

Banner.Abu (Clare) - Posts: 92 - 10/09/2013 14:07:06    1479184

Ulsterman
County: Antrim
Posts: 6434

1472261
The original decision to locate the Under 21 finals at Thurles was made on the premonition that an Ulster side would NEVER get to the final and that says all you need to know about the mindset of the 'established' hurling counties and how they view lesser mortals. It was made to suit Munster and South Leinster teams but now the unfairness is out there for all to see. I once again ask Croke Park to do something here to help Antrim like make a contribution to travel/accomodation costs. 12 hours in a bus/car is not a very nice experience for any team let alone the fans who have to trek there as well. I get the impression however that the decision will stand and Antrim will get no help whatsoever to maybe kill any ambitions they have above their station and put them back in their box.

Did the Ulster counties make a fuss about this at the time? Did they support the motion to move the final to Thurles every year?

12 hours? I'd make it 8-9 hours round trip at the furthest extremities which is bad enough without the exaggeration.

It's tough on Antrim, particularly the supporters. However this wasn't sprung on everyone after the semi-final and has been known for a long time. I don't remember much outcry from Antrim at the time the decision was made which perhaps shows that they had about as much faith in their U21s ever making the final in Thurles and some are accusing the GAA of now.

Stop the moaning now nd go out and beat Clare and bring an All-Ireland back to the Glens!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13837 - 10/09/2013 14:36:49    1479227