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Just a quick question. Which clubs make up the North/South/South West Antrim selections. Just that some clubs appear in two of these regions websites (like Tir na NOg & Ballymena for example are in both the north antrim and south west antrim websites as listed clubs)

Simple as this, in munster who have more gaa people the crowd at limerick will be outstanding. Their stadium have hosted munster finals (hurling and football). We havent hosted ulster football in years. Why would ireland play here, that nonsense about the steel can be said about casements stand, which also looks awful. Give it to munster its the most popular gaa province. You might crack up here but im being honest like!

good luck to cushendall this weekend from all at gort na mona

becasue the gaelic grounds are better. simple

i know its in parnell park under leinster council but could someone tell me are children going to charged into the cushendall game on sunday,

On what grounds did casement miss out on the IR Series 1st test?

Is there any plans to upgrade the toilets/press facilities at the ground?

Admin, Firstly I would like to congratulate all involved in the organisation of the U10 football blitz at the Whiterock last week. It was a fantastic day and great to see the numbers and enjoyment all the children shared.

Regarding Conor's message previously and trying to get more attendance at county games what would the thoughts be of having mini sevens games at half time between local Antrim clubs?

If say 4 matches were played similar to Whiterock this would involve say 80 children. With these children playing in Casement you'd hope (but couldn't guarantee) that the parents would also turn out. This might be say 150 people?? With school promotion you might be able to generate more local interest and could you increase the attendance numers by say 500??? (thinking positive if unrealistic)

Now 500 additional spectators won't fill Casement to the roof but it might help and at worst it certainly won't hurt.
I didn't do a head count of parents/spectators on Sat at the Whiterock and guess if you did it might have only added up to say 50 but I think it is worth considering even for one or two games.

I know Aldergrove would certainly contibute to this idea if it holds any merit and personally I think the children themselves would feel ten feet tall to play in Casement.

reply to oisinboy:

That is excellent and a great reflection on your club. This is the sort of thing that happens throughout on a weekly basis and I would love to see more clubs taking the iniative like that.

I am not saying that bigger support will lead to better results, but, a bigger crowd = better atmosphere = that extra 1% from each player when it really hurts.

As a county we have been all to quick to criticise over the years. In the last 12 months we have had a modicum of success with the Walsh and Tommy Murphy Cups. The players are trying to do their jobs as supporters lets try and do ours!

Will there be fund raising initiatives such as the saffron sweep and raceday this year?

Reply to Conor:
I am genuinely delighted to hear from you Conor. This is the positive and constructive response that we need within Antrim. I would certainly love to see more people prepared to adopt a hands on approach, subsequently networking and advocating, so as to generate more widespread interest and enthusiasm for Antrim GAA.

I sometimes feel that we have a chicken and egg situation, with regard to support and achieving more success on the field.

Within Antrim we need to generate a radical rethink, I believe, because for all too long we have nurtured, tolerated or otherwise paid lip service to all too much ridicule and negative thinking, which in turn has served to all but choke any remaining element of positivity or enthusiasm in regard to our county teams.

Almost every general conversation it would seem, in regard to GAA in Antrim, was for a time essentially critical and negative, in its focus, with the expectation and apparent acceptance of further failure being all but inevitable.

Uninformed critical opinion serves only to exacerbate difficulties, in that it either ignores or otherwise undermines the many genuine efforts of others who expend their energies trying to enthuse and dig our county out of the competitive doldrums. Failure feeds on failure, just as success begets further success.

The situation is so chronic in effect, that it would give the impression that all too many people within our county are almost afraid of being stigmatised, in consequence of being immediately identified with County GAA - as and until such times perhaps as we might achieve a substantial win; whereupon the 'herding instinct' could be expected to kick in. Changing or turning this 'negative' situation on its head, by way of under achievement on the field, is a substantive challenge by any standards, however, the potential reward, if only in terms of 'feel good' and 'well being,' for being part of such a positive drive and fervent in the search for achievement, is beyond description.

The GAA, with all its shortcomings has, overall, made an invaluable contribution to Irish cultural society. It is in effect an unparalleled and phenomenal success story, with or without the silverware and has immense potential by way of positive community benefit for future generations.

Irish people need and benefit from a thriving GAA; it has unquestionably become the most significant symbol of Irish identity abroad and is yet, importantly, is open to all comers.

Your support is needed and will certainly be appreciated.

Slam the door on negativity; there is a lot of good work ongoing within the county. Current county team managers, along with their conscientious back up staff, are and have been drawing wide and deep for all available new talent. Team training disciplines and work rates are now of a very high standard and demanding. Come closer by all means; get the facts and have a another look - then get involved by way of attending matches in support of our county, your county, or by joining with those already working hard to deliver; help to get the good news across and thereby counter some of the useless negativity of those would prefer to peddle doom and gloom whilst holding our county to ridicule. Welcome aboard Conor.
Lawrence Smyth Antrim PRO.

whose the men that are over the antrim U21 team

Just a follow on from Conor's comment. My club organised a bus to the Kilkenny game and had about 40 people on the bus. The clubs ran this at a loss as we are attempting to give our younger players a chance to go watch their county. We discussing making this a regular club feature

RE: carlos

Lawrence has been criticised on this site before for perhaps viewing and reporting things through rose tinted glasses. I think that both the statements you quoted were in fact an accurate interpretation of events and that these minor criticisms give his account more credibility. There is no point in claiming that the team set the world alight when they clearly didn't. This would only be delusional.

Admin,

Thanks for posting my comment. I agree that the county does many thing to promote the games but the county is more than just the board the county is the clubs, the parishes and the schools. You are right that it is very easy to sit on a computer and snipe away. We all need to stand up and be counted. Mentors need to encourage their youngters to actually go to games and in some cases physically take them there!
I would be more than happy to help the county in any way possible and will contact lawrence to see how I can help.

Hi,

Sorry of this has been asked and answered but any idea when the league fixtures will be available on this site?