Down Club Hurling & Football

[Splash]

For the sake of discussion, have heard Ballela referred to as 'West Down.'

(They reference being in West Down on their social media, for example)

Not saying we need to break Down into smaller factions, each with different boards. Just think it's interesting how Ballela reference being in West Down, despite the fact that there are clubs that immediately spring to mind as being further west, but no one else seems to refer to being in West Down.

Glenn, for example, is probably our most western club, but would obviously be a big South Down club.

[downtothecore]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

[passedit]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

At underage many moons ago there was a west down "division" of South Down. Glenn, Annaclone,Aghaderg, Banbridge, Tullylish and St Michaels. I played in a community games team selected from those clubs about 50 years ago.

[snoopdog]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

At underage many moons ago there was a west down "division" of South Down. Glenn, Annaclone,Aghaderg, Banbridge, Tullylish and St Michaels. I played in a community games team selected from those clubs about 50 years ago.

Yes I would've played in that league in the 80s and early 90s. 

[snoopdog]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

At underage many moons ago there was a west down "division" of South Down. Glenn, Annaclone,Aghaderg, Banbridge, Tullylish and St Michaels. I played in a community games team selected from those clubs about 50 years ago.

Yes I would've played in that league in the 80s and early 90s. 

Ballela would've fielded a team for a while also.

[Truth hurts]

The South/East divide has always seemed healthy to me. The South/East underage finals should be brought back since they were a fantastic show.

I believe there is still time to save the two boards, but I am not sure why they were stopped. They worked hard and provided us with some really good administrators.

[clonian]

The South/East divide has always seemed healthy to me. The South/East underage finals should be brought back since they were a fantastic show.

I believe there is still time to save the two boards, but I am not sure why they were stopped. They worked hard and provided us with some really good administrators.

The problem with the divisional boards is that because they have been reasonably well run with regular matches now and more divisions to allow teams to play teams their own level, they end up playing the same teams too often in the year. 

I don't know how that gets sorted though. Making weaker teams play the strong teams doesn't help either team but playing the same team 4 or 5 times in a season isn't great either.

My lads play soccer and it seems strange that there's a massive gap between the top, middle and bottom teams in one division but they get on with it. There can be a few hammerings handed out though.

[Truth hurts]

All reserve football should  be regionalized. On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, boys from Carryduff and Bredagh don't want to go to Rostrevor or Warrenpoint, and vice versa. If you have a short travel distance, you are less likely to concede in reserve football. Ardglass reserves will get to Bright far faster than they will to Glenn, which will take an hour.

[TakeTheMark]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

St John Bosco's pitch actually is

Glenn is second but only marginally, to Shamrocks/Pairc Esler.

[clonian]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

St John Bosco's pitch actually is

Glenn is second but only marginally, to Shamrocks/Pairc Esler.

Ballyvarley must be close too.

[TakeTheMark]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

St John Bosco's pitch actually is

Glenn is second but only marginally, to Shamrocks/Pairc Esler.

Ballyvarley must be close too.

Correct, they'd be next after Shamrocks.

Interestingly, Aghaderg/Ballyvarley are not as west as Pairc Esler, but further west than Mitchels pitch, which is only metres away from Pairc Esler in a South East direction

[clonian]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

St John Bosco's pitch actually is

Glenn is second but only marginally, to Shamrocks/Pairc Esler.

Ballyvarley must be close too.

Correct, they'd be next after Shamrocks.

Interestingly, Aghaderg/Ballyvarley are not as west as Pairc Esler, but further west than Mitchels pitch, which is only metres away from Pairc Esler in a South East direction

And for Ballela being known as a west down club - Clanna na Banna, Tullylish, St Michaels, Annaclone and Drumgath are all further west. Don't think I missed anyone. There's a big area with not many sports grounds at all really

[TakeTheMark]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

St John Bosco's pitch actually is

Glenn is second but only marginally, to Shamrocks/Pairc Esler.

Ballyvarley must be close too.

Correct, they'd be next after Shamrocks.

Interestingly, Aghaderg/Ballyvarley are not as west as Pairc Esler, but further west than Mitchels pitch, which is only metres away from Pairc Esler in a South East direction

And for Ballela being known as a west down club - Clanna na Banna, Tullylish, St Michaels, Annaclone and Drumgath are all further west. Don't think I missed anyone. There's a big area with not many sports grounds at all really

Order from west to east:

Bosco
Glenn
Shamrocks
Aghaderg/Ballyvarley
Mitchels (inactive)
Tullylish
Ballyholland
Saval
Clann na Banna
St Michaels
Burren
Warrenpoint
Mayobridge
Drumgath
Rostrevor
Annaclone
Ballela

[Splash]

I was thinking of parish geography in general to be honest (ie.,Jerrettspass would be in Glenn - well, some of it anyway- and would be slightly further west than the Meadow in Newry).

Pitch location is a far better measurement to use, TakeTheMark.

That's an interesting fact about the Ballyvarley, Shamrocks' and Mitchells' pitches, never would have known that.

Interestingly point- half of Poyntzpass would be in Down, and would know a good good few there who would consider themselves Down men. Was speaking to someone not that long ago actually who was telling me he believed the Pass should be playing in Down.

Just interesting to note when thinking about clubs in the western part of the county.

[Splash]

St Michael's magherlin is likely our most westerly club in down.

St John Bosco's pitch actually is

Glenn is second but only marginally, to Shamrocks/Pairc Esler.

Ballyvarley must be close too.

Correct, they'd be next after Shamrocks.

Interestingly, Aghaderg/Ballyvarley are not as west as Pairc Esler, but further west than Mitchels pitch, which is only metres away from Pairc Esler in a South East direction

And for Ballela being known as a west down club - Clanna na Banna, Tullylish, St Michaels, Annaclone and Drumgath are all further west. Don't think I missed anyone. There's a big area with not many sports grounds at all really

Order from west to east:

Bosco
Glenn
Shamrocks
Aghaderg/Ballyvarley
Mitchels (inactive)
Tullylish
Ballyholland
Saval
Clann na Banna
St Michaels
Burren
Warrenpoint
Mayobridge
Drumgath
Rostrevor
Annaclone
Ballela

Had to check the Saval/ Clann na Banna one. That one surprised me.

Rostrevor, Burren, and the Point being further west than Ballela also a surprise.

Learn something new every day.