Looks like I proved you wrong and you are now resorting to petty insults and bringing up irrelevant facts.kdog it's alright to be wrong happens to everyone once in a while...

flankie (Antrim) - Posts: 281 - 16/11/2009 23:25:48    485742

Wrong? i dont see this point, If any thing you back your 'facts' with lies of ventures to th south

kdog15 (Antrim) - Posts: 197 - 17/11/2009 09:08:24    485845

Fleming scoring 1-7 from play class act
Rathmore Abú

Saffron1916 (Antrim) - Posts: 30 - 17/11/2009 11:46:50    485948

You said that there is no pre season for hurling universities like the McKenna cup. The Waterford Crystal cup is run on the exact same premise down south. So there is in fact one. University hurling does not stop and end at uuj kdog get that into your head. Just because jtown dont compete in these things doesn't mean they dont happen. fact is jtown are not good enough to and there is little media coverage of hurling up here because everyone's so useless people would rather view and read about other sports where the locals are actually successful. And ask anyone whos ever been to KK and seen a paper. This is true why would I lie about heading down south it's not like I gain much from it. Back to the drawing board kdog

flankie (Antrim) - Posts: 281 - 17/11/2009 12:05:22    485968

All this rejoinder about University hurling got me to thinking about my five splendour packed years at University. I am aware that there are students that view this forum so I think it would be courteous of me to tell the tail of my years at University. And perhaps telling my account of University will let other young North Antrim academics learn from my experiences at University. My experience at 'The Poly' was a habitually positive one, I learned so much during my time there, and I am not just talking about the course I studied. I am talking about all the friends I made from North Antrim. The Poly for me was really a journey of self discovery. The hurling wasn't too bad either. The team I played on at the Poly was known as the 'fantastic's'. We where something else and my estimation is that we started the fire that burnt the flame of our hero's of 1989. We played a brand of hurling that we referred to as 'the sweet poly style'. Backs playing like combatant forwards, forwards playing like gargantuan backs. We were a band of brothers with a capital T for Team. I had fantastic years with my friends from Cushendall at the Poly. I see Flankie is finding it necessary to run down the mighty Poly hurling team right now. I hear they have been utterly magnificent this year so far. So why do you feel the need to speak this utter codswallop about them Flankie? You have made it clear that you never attended University but don't ruin the dreams that many of our young North Antrim intellectuals have in making history for our great hurling county and their famed University hurling clubs. A breath of fresh air is now running the length and breadth of North Antrim, bringing old and new Gaels out of the woodwork everywhere this is good - real good in fact this is great and real great. If you go into Cushendall there are maroon jerseys appearing everywhere and the village bedecked with Cushendall and Antrim flags it truly is a sight to behold all year round. When I was at the Poly I wasn't out drinking every night for nine long months! No, I was undergoing a rigorous and punishing schedule of tough training and I willingly accepted a strict code of hard discipline. You wouldn't survive it Flankie. I did, and I distinguished myself beyond all expectations. Flankie, I was arguably the most motivated, fit and focused North Antrim hurler in Ulster during my career. My proudest day was in the reserve league final at Corrigan in 72'. I scored two points that day vs. the Johnnies in front or a hostile crowd. That day the gladiators of the Dall won. And continue to follow our legacy today.

Glensman125 (Antrim) - Posts: 17 - 17/11/2009 17:34:54    486400

This Glensman125 is a bit of a character. He is the stereotypical staunch North Antrim man that cant see out of his maroon tinted glasses.

corriganpkdog (Antrim) - Posts: 30 - 17/11/2009 19:48:23    486565

My eldest son attends Queens University up in Belfast. He went to the trials for the Queens Hurling panel last month but unfortunately didn't get picked up by the scouts. I have to say he was devastated at not getting the call although he said the manager is a real Brian Cody type, very ruthless and extremely success orientated. He also said the standard was just unbelievable and this leads me to believe that there will be a breakthrough in Ulster Hurling in the near future. So back to the reason why I'm writing this message, have any of you guys got any tips on how my son could improve his game over the winter? Should he join a local gym and do running and biking or just get the good owl timber out and tap away at it every day? Any reply would be fantastic. All the Best, Joey, Armagh Gael.

JoeyMcILroy (Armagh) - Posts: 8 - 17/11/2009 20:16:50    486614

I think this post by Glensman reflects everything that is wrong with Antrim Huling in this day and age!!

BobThornhill (Cork) - Posts: 13 - 17/11/2009 20:48:36    486635

Joey, the kid needs to have the hurl in his hand as much as possible. I have heard managers say in the past that you should be bringing your hurl everywhere with you, to the toilet, to school or uni, or even to mass! I always thought this was rediculous, but a sunday about 5 years ago i was up visiting the in-laws in tip and thought I would nip into the local chapel to save havin to go when i got home. And there a few rows in front was young Shane McGrath, little did i know that 4 years later he would get an allstar and become one of the best midfielders in the game! You need to ensure that he is fit to last a game, and to take the hits!! Not getting on the team in his fresher year isn't the end of the world, just tell him to keep battling and he'll get there!!

BobThornhill (Cork) - Posts: 13 - 17/11/2009 21:26:18    486694

corrigan kdog catch yourself on. get your own name. sad people wish to be as wise as me. and me as an aggies man im disgusted by the venue

kdog15 (Antrim) - Posts: 197 - 17/11/2009 21:36:28    486710

Problem is Ulster hurlers need to be in both, gym and out with the Hurl. But the sheer level of improvement that is needed simply is unattainable, boys need to get big and improve skill, and there just isn't enough to time to correct all the wrongs that are bred into them as children.

The_facts (Antrim) - Posts: 130 - 17/11/2009 22:00:50    486748

Bob & Kdog welcome to the discussion, its nice to have other gaels among us to debate the current hot topics that hit the headlines in North Antrim hurling every day. Unfortunately for you the compliments and pleasantry's end here. North Antrim 'the glens' is a fantastic place to live where dreams come true and friendships are forged. And I mean it! Hurling is different up here, no thanks to the outstanding quality of the players on show, we can break a dull day with a cracking game. What is different with hurling up here in The Glens 'gods country'? The answer is simple we play with increased life like determination, higher work rate in all sections of the pitch, superior ball retention and better formation. This can only be down to the high quality of coaching our North Antrim coaches are giving the OUR warriors week in week out in their and OUR lives (since 89). The total benefit to the fans of North Antrim hurling is not easily quantified but the much longer life like determination and fight, reduced silly fouls and frees, increased scoring rate production, and better ball retention, not to mention improved visual awareness of the players, all mount up. So before the 'so called' aficionados jump in to snipe, think. P.S I remember back in 81' when my club won its first county title, I clapped them boys off the field until my hands bled my maroon and white blood.

Glensman125 (Antrim) - Posts: 17 - 17/11/2009 22:02:24    486751

flankie im sick of ur negativity towards antrim hurling, take your negative comments to your local bar where someone will listen. if you have nothing positive to say about ulster hurling say nothing at all. get behind us or go away

kdog15 (Antrim) - Posts: 197 - 17/11/2009 22:36:25    486792

My views are not negative, merely realistic. You can delude yourself all you want but before Antrim go anywhere we need to accept truly were we are. I'm sure the real hurling counties are sick of Antrim using boardrooms to stay in the top tier when they clearly are not good enough. As soon as Antrim realize how much of a joke we are we will begin to get somewhere setting realistic goals and targets. As for Joey McIlroy's question, the child needs to take his hurl everywhere he goes.To the shops, the church, the toilet his bed everywhere. Should be banging that sliotar against the wall at least half an hour everyday. Of course gym work etc. is necessary bt you can get someone into good shape relatively quickly, but it takes a lifetime of hard work and practice to get the skills of the caman down to a fine art. Great men like DJ Carey and Justin McCarthy weren't born excellent, they developed their skills from when they could walk and have a burning passion for the sport. He must all the skills at pace and not develop bad habits. You see it al the time in the antrim leagues, fellas thinking they're the best thing since sliced pan but as soon as they head down south they get exposed. You can get away with poor nabits and form in the pedestrian speed of the antrim leagues but as soon as they hit down south they are shown for what they really are, poorly coached and developed hurlers. and glensman, you truly are one of the most deluded men I have ever met. You probably believe hurling was invented in the glens. NA men do not play at a higher anything, they are just big fish in a small pond and if the belfast clubs drank a bit less or the derry clubs took an interest in the hurling they're poor skill and ability would be shown pronto. NA is not a hurling heartland and it is laughable that so many NA men believe so. Go down to a real hurling village down south and see what it is actually like to be in a hurling mad place.

flankie (Antrim) - Posts: 281 - 18/11/2009 12:00:23    487109

To JoeyMcIlroy - Armagh Gael In response to My eldest son attends Queens University up in Belfast. He went to the trials for the Queens Hurling panel last month but unfortunately didn't get picked up by the scouts. I have to say he was devastated at not getting the call although he said the manager is a real Brian Cody type, very ruthless and extremely success orientated. He also said the standard was just unbelievable and this leads me to believe that there will be a breakthrough in Ulster Hurling in the near future. I am the current Queens Hurling Club Secretary and find your story a bit confusing. We never held trials as such, we had 1 trial game at the start of October to decide if there were any new players we could bring onto the 1st team panel for the match the following week. We had 35 freshers sign up this year and 15 masters students join the club. In total we registered over 100 players and so far have had 94 turn up to at least 1 training session. Every1s details were taken when they signed up at the freshers bazarr or at the 1st few training sessions, so every player has been getting txts and emails on updates on trainings, matches and socials. We are a university club, not an elite team, we do not turn anyone away, all players are welcome to join and play the sport they enjoy. We even have a German lad playing this year who up until 8 weeks ago never picked up a hurl, sure hes no DJ, but hes wants to learn, is that not what the GAA is about. We only select a panel for the 1st team, and obvioulsy by rules we can only play 1st years in freshers. All other players were training and playing to try and make their place on the 2nd team, and if good enough called up to the 1st team panel. Some lads arent the highest of standard but they train every week without fail, because they love the sport and want to represent their college. I do not have a McIlroy ever registered with the club in the last 2 years bt if he wants to play send him along. We do have a very high standard this year with over 57 clubs from 14 different counties in Ireland represented. We have over 10 senior county panelists from various counties and a few players with very respectable CVs. Although this hasnt been shown in our league success, bowing out in the Quarter Final, we are a work in progress and willl be making a big push for the championship. As for the 2 people who have been bickering about UUJ/QUB/Southern Hurling. Wise up. There are more false details and not wanted opinions being thrown about than something serious. Sure we beat UUJ in a friendly but we were onli told 2 days in advance (the managers son does play 4 us) so we were as prepared as them, and we didnt have a full strenght team out either. Bt we won so stop complaing, talking was done on the pitch. bt to be fair, fair play to UUJ to be competing at a higher level, we have been trying to get there for the past few years so we wish them the best against the southern universitys (even tho use r our arch rivals). If ne1 wants to kno about Queens hurling feel free to ask, but less of the false info please. Rigs

tyronecaman (Tyrone) - Posts: 14 - 26/11/2009 02:37:22    494473

great win for uuj in 7's tournament yesterday up in coleraine. they sent 2 strong teams with the firsts containing county stars chrissy oconnell, arron graffin and neal mcauley. a sturdy performance from college allstar matthew teague showing his class and promise for the future. lethal finishing from seamy dobbin of loughiel helpd them to the title. their seconds pushed them all the way in the semi with another strong team containing down decky doherty, derrys big lee hawkins and another colleges allstar neil cunningham. matt devlin yet agian showed his class and versatility racking up the scores and covering back in goals when required. the future looks bright for uuj.

Red Head (Down) - Posts: 144 - 26/11/2009 13:21:51    494777

I wouldn't be going round blowing your horn about an ulster hurling sevens competition. if UUj didnt win it I would be asking questions and it says it all about the standard of the competition that their stiffest test was against uuj seconds. were queens not up at it, you would have thought they'd be half deent for ulster level.

seen the young lad neil cunningham a few times for LD. fantastic player think he's a bit of a late developer. a bit surprised he wasn't selected for the antrim senior trial panel, thought he'd be a shoo in for a look at least. wheres he playing for jordanstown senior this year?

flankie (Antrim) - Posts: 281 - 28/11/2009 19:18:59    497044

i believe young cunningham is pushing for a place at half back for jordanstown seniors. I think pushing for a place on the senior county team at his age is a bit too much flankie, i would be surprised if hes not there or there abouts for the under 21 squad this year however. Hopefully the new management will hold trials unlike last year to give players like cunningham a chance to show what they can do. Iv see him a few times myself and he is yet to disappoint.

Flankie i believe winning a sevens tournament at ulster level is a great achievement for the poly boys. I also feel it is a good idea to give the freshers an opportunity to play alongside some county seniors as this will only improve their own games. I was disappointed myself from a neutral point of view to see queens were not involved. I hear they have some fantastic players that would have made the tournament a much greater spectacle. Players like downey (adrian i think is his first name) from antrim is a strong but skillful young hurler. Conor beatty from carryduff is a bear of a man and displays the perfect showing of physical hurling when he walks out onto the pitch.

yeslad (Antrim) - Posts: 15 - 02/12/2009 18:42:26    500981

I would have to agree with all this chat about the young cunningham lad. What a prospect, I made point of going to watch lamh derg this season to catch a glimpse of this guy. I have to say I was not disappointed. He reminds me of a young Eddie Brennan with his low centre of gravity and lighting touch. I think he is a relative of Paddy Cunningham and judging by what I have seen of him, Antrim has a gem come though for the next decade. With me more or less living in the Corrigan Park stand I have seen the young Downey growing up. I remember when he was just a little nipper and his hurl was bigger than him. I always knew he was going to be something special. Unfortunately I think he is highly involved in play Rugby now which is a massive loss for the johnnies and antrim.

corriganpkdog (Antrim) - Posts: 30 - 02/12/2009 19:09:43    501022

Queens Hurling team did not take part in the 7s tournament that day as our 2nds team (which the Okane cup 7s tournamnet is onli meant to be for) were in Dundalk playing in the Div 3 league semi final. With regards to Downey, he only started training with us a few weeks ago and currently part of our freshers and 2nd team squads.

tyronecaman (Tyrone) - Posts: 14 - 04/12/2009 15:38:49    503040