Guestbook

Well played to our Under 21 hurlers  who battled bravely on Saturday. Nothing better than seeing a team try when they are really up against it. Just think what we could do if we channelled all our negativity and pulling apart into work for the benefit of Antrim GAA?

Best wishes to our Under 21 hurlers on Saturday.
Hope our hurlers can prove people wrong and do themselves and us Antrim GAA people proud.
Up Antrim.

Kevin Ryan's comments are harsh but that is how it would appear to many others also?
If we in North Antrim are part of the problem then we need to be also part of the solution?
Seems that we waste talent and input without reaping rewards?

This is a post from another site and  raises good questions...

Hi everyone,
I'm wondering how to other clubs group and structure their 5-8 year olds? At the moment we have two groups of approx. 20 kids each roughly divided into U6 & U8 by age. What I am beginning to realise however is this is not the best way of dividing. We have lots of 6 year olds who have the fundamental movement skills and need to move on to the next level and equally we have some 7 and even 8 year olds who have yet to master these basics and are struggling in the current U8 group. My fear is we will lose these players as they are getting frustrated however it is difficult to bring them back to the first group as they are called the U6 group. Also, we have 6 year olds getting very frustrated at not moving on skills wise.
I am beginning to think we should treat the 5-8 year olds as one group and then sub divide according to ability calling the groups a name that doesn't make anyone feel they are not "good enough". I would love to hear people's thought on this topic and how other clubs structure their academy.

Congratulations must be given to the North Antrim Board & Development Committee for the work that went into running the weekend past. Although I was unable to attend the feedback has been fantastic and the efforts of Declan and others should reap benefits for NA hurling in years to come and it would be great for these development squads continue to flourish.

"If this is what these young lads are capable of now, just image what they will be like once they hit senior level if they keep at it. "
The chances are that they will be nowhere near their Southern counterparts- not because of their capability now but because we don't have coaches, competition structures and so on to bring them to that level. It is fine to imagine, dream but this is Antrim and the future will in all probability follow pattern of past unless we can radically change many things.
Even the standard of coaching within many development squads has in the past has been bordering on the ridiculous at times. Closing the gap needs a re- assessment of how we coach the coaches?

Heads in the sand
27th July 2015

What is charging £2 for u16s going to do for the promotion of hurling in Antrim? At a time when sentiments towards Antrim hurling are arguably at an all-time low we should be doing everything possible to try and encourage more youngsters to attend games and support their local heroes. In a few weeks time you can take your child to Croke Park and watch the All-Ireland semi-finals for €5 or £3.55 at current rates. This is an 82,000 seated, covered stadium with world class facilities, a million miles from any ground in Antrim. Parents take children to/from training and matches all year racking up hundreds of miles in the process and spend a substantial amount of money buying sticks, helmets, gear etc. They are more than happy to do so but surely the county board should acknowledge this effort and treat large families with some respect. A large family could attend 2/3 separate games in one weekend in both codes, add this up over championship season and it becomes a serious expense for parents. Can I ask who makes these decisions and what interest do they have in promoting Antrim GAA beyond topping up the bank balance???

Can someone please confirm the venue for Monday's U16A Shield Final?

If those Americans hadn't met Paul would they have got the story about the Feis?
Was there someone or somewhere that explained the Feis to those attendind?

Yes Paul I knew it was Feis weekend. But thousands  of people who have never seen hurling and our traditions should have heard  and be invited to attend. Yes we should have Americans and all nationalities there to savour our games. And we should have our people tell them about our games and heritage. We have an astonishing product and the means at our finger tops to let people know. The Glens are special. Go down the road any day to the Dark Hedges and see the numbers of visitors - from all over the world. What would they make of hurling - a unique experience. Let us hold up our hands and say we are not doing justice to what we are doing during our watch. Look at the diversity of those involved with the Feis way back - who brought us out of our apathy.  Maybe we need to cast the net again and bring in and be more inclusive?
We need to call it as we see it. No we are not doing enough to promote all that is good about our area- and we have that tremenduosly well educated pool of people within our area who could if permitted do a great job. What publicity was available even on this website about Feis 2015?