Down Club Hurling & Football

Mourne Rover · February 04, 2023, 10:15:56 PM

The most dramatic finish seen at Newry for a long time cannot disguise the fact that, as we probably already knew, we are very much a work in process. Antrim were big and strong and clearly the better side until they effectively collapsed in the closing stages, and we actually missed an open goal as well as the 1-3 we scored in consecutive attacks. Both of Antrim's first half goals were defensive howlers but they had every opportunity to close the game out. They didn't manage it due to heroics from McEvoy and Murdoch when all seemed lost. Gilmore was also decent with Kerr and Havern good in patches. Laverty remains unbeaten in normal time during his five matches but he knows we will have to knuckle down during the two week break if we are to keep the run going in Fermanagh. D3 is likely to go to the wire.

urbangael · February 04, 2023, 10:16:57 PM

Scoring 2.18 and winning a game while not really playing well is always a decent day but letting Antrim score 2.17 is obviously concerning. I thought Antrim dominated the physical side of the game. The change is keeper didn't help Down. Too many lads below par and to be honest if it wasn't for the 2 Burren lads (Kerr and Murdock) we'd have went home empty handed. Great attitude to keep going and big Havern only came to life in the last 5 mins. Top of the league and lots still to work on. Take it and move on.

skat man · February 04, 2023, 10:28:17 PM

Changes in the defence backfired . a much more solid unit when mcparland was introduced before half time. played poorly and won , good trait

Nanderson · February 04, 2023, 10:42:49 PM

Looked like it wasn't going to be our night from very early on with passes either bouncing off players or being misplaced. Nasty injury to Barry looked like it would spell the end of our night as Antrim always looked to have the edge on us. But the men fought right to the very end. Don't really understand the reason behind playing Laverty whos a forward for his club at corner back and magill who'd be a no.6 or midfield for Burren at corner back as well. As a defender myself I always feel like the full back line is a very specialised position and you want your players to be well used to idea of tightly marking their opponents

Smurfy123 · February 05, 2023, 12:26:48 AM

Laverty once again found out along the line
Like Roscommon and Tyrone under 20s
A shambles from start to finish
Get the club mate in
Only for Murdock we were beat out the gate

downtothecore · February 05, 2023, 04:32:46 AM

Down won the match smurf. It may not have been the best performance but it is great to get the result. A few of the changes laverty made towards helped get the result.
Just remember Down havent won a game in a long time and tbh the direction we were heading was div 4. Our underage teams have not been competitive in years so he is doing ok considering.

Ed Hardy · February 05, 2023, 07:03:39 AM

Any word on Shane Annett coming back from injury? And I take it Owen McCabe out injured also? Would make a difference physically with those two in the team, and Anthony Morgan along with it, especially this time of year on the heavy pitches, we won't see the best of those smaller quick players until April/May time. That said any Down fan would have bit your hand off for 2 wins from 2 and showing great battling qualities so far. Rome wasn't built in a day.

snoopdog · February 05, 2023, 11:18:57 AM

Down are very much a work in progress. Div 3 was always going to be tough. The McKenna cup built up hopes and some got carried away. A win is a win. Was I the only one who thought the scoreboard was wrong? Antrim went from 1.04 to 1.05 on scoreboard but I don't think the scored. Poss I'm going mad.

downtothecore · February 05, 2023, 04:36:14 PM

Any word on barry o hagans injury?

urbangael · February 05, 2023, 04:56:32 PM

Karl Lacey the new manager of the Magpies. Huge name

Lotto · February 05, 2023, 06:23:02 PM

Quote from: urbangael on February 05, 2023, 04:56:32 PM
Karl Lacey the new manager of the Magpies. Huge name

As the winner of four All Stars, the Footballer of the Year award and an All-Ireland medal from 2012, Karl Lacey is the most decorated player in the history of Four Masters. Involved in the Donegal management under Declan Bonner for a few years but wondering who he has managed since and what have they won as a gauge of how good he is at it? Playing is one thing, managing something else.

Johnnysboys · February 05, 2023, 09:00:51 PM

A real smash and grab effort last night but what about the drive from the crowd in the last ten minutes. A fantastic atmosphere all round. I hope this can be replicated in the remaining fixtures of the league starting with Fermanagh in the next game.
If Barry has the dreaded ACL injury - it's very unfortunate for the player and will be a huge loss to us for the season.
Kilcoo getting Lacey - I'm not so sure about that rumour. I think an inside appointment beckons for the magpies..

ardtole · February 05, 2023, 10:01:42 PM

I read after the match that Barry O'Hagan suffered an ankle injury. Hopefully he is not out for too long.

Truth hurts · February 06, 2023, 11:59:46 AM

Quote from: Smurfy123 on February 05, 2023, 12:26:48 AM
Laverty once again found out along the line
Like Roscommon and Tyrone under 20s
A shambles from start to finish
Get the club mate in
Only for Murdock we were beat out the gate

Lotto · February 06, 2023, 10:22:20 PM

I'd say that looking at the posts after the last two NFL games maybe 10/12 of the so called regular posters actually have gone to see Down play out of all who post on here. We all have plenty to say and I nail my colours to the mast that I will never pay to watch Down as long as that man is in charge but why do the rest of you not support them in Newry or on the road?