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Name : Young supporter

10 January 2009

Is it possible to get the Antrim team that played in Dublin today?

If we are given this, we will post it.

Name : Parent

10 January 2009

so you cannot accept that a person ,who has run fundraisers been on numerous committees ,coached numerous teams, and played as well, is a dedicated clubman because he allows his son freedom of choice. I don't want to lose children in Lámh Dhearg but if they are not happy I would hope the club would do their utmost to resolve the problem, but if they could not I would subscribe to the theroy that it better they be happy and playing for someone else instead of forcing them to stay or losing tehm alltogether. I dont agree in transfers will nilly but don't agree in forcing some child to saty just to benefit a club

All those things you have outlined are vital and important for a club. However, you say that if a child "is not happy", you "would hope the club would do their utmost to resolve the problem"! Just who do you think "the club" is? It's made up of people you like you! Permitting children to transfer from Lamh Dhearg is never going to resolve Lamh Dhearg's problems. Why can't you see that this is only making things worse for clubs like Lamh Dhearg? You can do something about it and don't have to expect "others" to do something about coaching. Coaching isn't rocket science particularly for an ex-player. Can you not see how disloyal you are to your own club by supporting these transfers? Clearly not, but until clubs affected by these sort of things begin to restore their identity, their role within a community and their raison-d'etre, then the Association in this county will continue to under-achieve. That's what your problem is, you cannot see that this is about a lot more than keeping chidren happy. There is a hell of a lot more to being a club than fielding teams or running events. A club is "everything" in a community and that means sticking by your club through thick and thin. That's what children ought to be taught, not this panedring to their apparent unhappiness and allowing them to leave a club, because they "aren't happy"!

Name : rossa boys

10 January 2009

THANKS TO ST COMGALLS SCHOOL LARNE AND EDMUND RICE SCHOOL GLENGORMLEY FOR HOSTING THE NORTH ANTRIM INDOOR HURLING TODAY OUR LADS REALLY ENJOYED IT. CROM ABU.

Name : Hopeful

10 January 2009

There has been a lot of work done with young hurlers over the past number of years and the general standard of players from age 10 to 14 is probably better now than ever in the history of Antrim. The challenge is to keep these players on an upward curve. I would feel that we need to concentrate on developing our coaches so that they take 14-16s on to the next level. Maybe that expertise is there in some clubs but not in enough. I think we need help from counties that are successful at All Ireland minor level. In other words the fundamentals are in place but it needs built upon.
Hopeful

That's exactly why an application for funding to support this has been submitted to HDC. Unfortunately the response from there has been nothing but prevarication and posturing. However, that too is being addressed at a meeting of the Management Committee in Croke Park today.

Name : parent

10 January 2009

I appreciate you taking the opportunity to respond. But I do take issue with the way you try to take the 'if i should loudest' attitude with anyone who dares disagree. I am a dedicated clubman always have been. What I am gettin at is a situation where my son is in the future unhappy. He comes sayin Im really not enjoyn this. What do i say to him?? Tough son but weve always been at this club so you cant leave. Are you telling me that freedom of choice i9s removed until you are 18??

Yes, we are. It is far too easy to run away from a problem instead of addressing that problem. Transferring because "I'm really not enjoyn this" is hopeless. Please read our reply to your previous contribution again. We simply cannot accept your assertion that "you are a dedicated clubman" if you support something that has been destroying "smaller" clubs and competition particularly in Belfast.

Name : About time

10 January 2009

I just like to voice my support of the new all county under 16 and minor football leagues. As far as i can see this is much needed to improve the level of both the south antrim and south west clubs. Players are playing more competitive matches against teams of a higher level than they would when the leagues were divided. In turn this will hopefully bring more south west players into the county panel picture and stop the suggestion of discrimination against the south west players. I for one applaud this decision and look forward to playing in the minor league in the year ahead.

Name : Player

10 January 2009

I can safely say that if i had no transfered clubs when i was younger i wouldnt be at half the level i am at now. i would have maybe give up.

And we would suggest that the club you left are possibly worse off and the club you went to are probably not any better off. As for giving up - what do you think is the main reason for that? Lack of competition particularly from Under 16 to Minor is the main reason and you moving has only added to this problem. Yes, coaching is a serious problem for all clubs, some moreso than others but running away never solved anything.

Name : parent

10 January 2009

Im a dedicated clubman and gael but cant agree with these new underage trandfer rules. As a parent it is my prerogative as to what club i send my child too and if not satisfied with the way that club is running, or if my child is unhappy then or a situation arises where he or she needs to move then surely it is my decison as parent to allow them tto move. the parent has the decision not the organisation. I would also imagine that the organisation is leaving itself open in the future to potential human rights challenges

This is the classical example of "abdication of responsibility". Surely if things within your club are not going the way you would like them, then you ought to take responsibility for changing that. You say you are a "dedicated" clubman. With this sort of attitude - "walk away if you are not satisified" - then we would beg to differ. This is precisely what is wrong with too many clubs, particularly in Belfast. There is not enough committment and dedication to your club. There is no sense of parish or parochial identity. There is not enough loyalty. Clubs like Ardoyne, St Enda's, Gort naMona and St Brigid's do have that parish identity and generally it serves them well. If you saw the Late, Late Show last night you might have heard Des Cahill saying that his club in Dalkey now has 66 different teams. 66 for a club in Dalkey which was traditionally a rugby/hockey area. This is mirrored across the whole of Dublin and is one of the reasons Dublin are miles ahead of us. That's where we need to get to in Belfast before we can seriously believe that this county will be realistic contendors for Sam or Liam. But we certainly wont get there with "toys out of the pram" attitudes. And forget about this "human rights" nonsense. We have already addressed that one in a previous response.

Name : Saffron mum

09 January 2009

What Belfast clubs are being amalgamated for the new under-16 and minor leagues? (I wasn't at convention)

None that we are aware of. All clubs can enter as a seperate unit, but if one club cannot field a team then amalgamations are more than with another in a similar situation and in fact they should be encouraged.

Name : suthwest geal

09 January 2009

i think you are a bit sore on the pro, its about time we were a little more positive, this is what the young lads want to read

Name : Geriatric

09 January 2009

As an organisation do we involve our youth enough in finding out, surveying what they want, need, feel- surveys, consultation, forums etc? Maybe it is done or do we adults or County Committee feel confident that we can speak for them / know what is best for them?
Geriatric!

No, it's not done but does seem like a good idea. Maybe you would like to give the Youth Officer a bit of help on something like this?

Name : Ulster man

09 January 2009

Have to admit, this website is a credit to the county, brilliantly run! Well done.

Name : u16

09 January 2009

i'm not trying to speed anything up, its just my first year u16 and i was wondering when they started! Have you got a rough idea or could you tell me when they usually start, as in when they started last year! Thanks

Different structures existed last year, so making comparisons is not possible. We will probably know more by the end of this month.

Name : Mussolini

09 January 2009

Why is it such a bad thing, as to talk our team up, very few people outside our county take us seriously as contenders and that lack of confidence seems to spread throughout Antrim, we need someone to talk us up, this is something refreshing and boost of confidence may be a good thing. So i disagree with my fellow dictators

Name : u16

09 January 2009

When does the under16 league start?

As soon as we have the details of this, we will post them on this site. Asking about this wont speed anything up.