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[Why is county game being allowed to hold clubs to ransom ?]

Hilarious downjim...

Do you think they should be training in such large numbers? Against medical advice?

You made an account to ask for photos of Down teams running in a forest park last week. You need to get a life and delete your account.

Great article yesterday by Cahair O'Kane with headline, Why is county game being allowed to hold clubs to ransom ?

Sounds like lies there from DownJim as there was the small GAA pitch in Kilbroney being used with vast numbers .

It was against not only Medical Advice , it was against the GAA rules. It was contrary to what the GAA response to Covid19 is.Are these coaches above the GAA rules?Covid19 is a life and death issue.

Maybe Downjim knows more about this ? Was he not just yesterday talking about Covid19 Supervisor role ?

They are effectively playing with the minds of young players and parents who are afraid to speak out and say it was wrong or their chance at inter county football might be gone.

Are the clubs not going to stand up (for their players and families on that squad ) to this and ensure the County Board make a stand against these coaches? Some of the media who have these coaches on speed dial are they going to be complicit in this ?

This is a serious scandal for Down Co Board, do these coaches have some sort of magic spell or hold over Down GAA ?I sense they are a group of coaches under pressure but the games are not on until October. Would the same people flaunt the roles in their respective workplaces ? If they did there would be consequences. Now let's see what Down Co Board does.They have brought the GAA into disrepute.

This GAA gathering was wrong and a horrible indictment against the responsible GAA people in Down, those that had family die , those that work on the front line, those that couldn't be in their grandparents houses,couldn't meet friends and did what society expects.

The Down Co Board can't let their name be ruined by these people , Down GAA board have to act.

Clubs of these players need to be responsible .Local journalists need to be responsible and call this out.

On the playing front a great draw last night.

GAA Response in Down - very very worrying .

Down GAA County Squad training in Rostrevor on Thursday past .

Some of the photos and videos  circulating from Kilbroney are shocking from Thursday night.
Covid 19 is a life and death issue GAA activities have been stopped.This is not the same as the end of season training ban etc.
There are sanctions for that but in the case of The Pandemic this is a whole different issue.This is life and death.
What happens if one of these players gets Covid and passes to a grandparent and they die.? Where is the liability ? County Board ? Were they aware of this get together and training of a County Squad ? I find it hard to believe that they don't know.
Are Down GAA Co Board not aware of GAA Covid 18 protocols ?  Are Down County Board aware that GAA suspended all GAA Activity at club,county level , this is to include all games,training and team gatherings at all ages and all grades ?
The Down County Board have now been set a test by being put in this position by unauthorized gathering and training by a group of people , who having shown zero regard towards the welfare of players ,parents and wider society ?
This is a medical and ethical issue not to be compared to the breaching of an off season training ban.
Are teachers allowed to decide they are going to teach a class over 30 on Thursday ? NO. Are Dentists allowed to operate as they see fit ?NO.Are bars allowed to open and have the Senior Club panel in ? NO
The authorities and the GAA  have Covid 19 return to play protocols and rules, are Down above those rules ?
We await to see how Down GAA react to this test ?
If people are in positions of influence and authority and behave irresponsibly against GAA Laws and Government they need to be dealt with.
This is nothing short of a shocking scandal for Down GAA.

To be honest, compiling that fixture list would not be easy and it looks clear and transparent.
Down Gaa used to be a shambles at leagues, draws, cups etc but in the past numbers of years  it seems very professional.
Although we all want to win a championship or league title, we should all enjoy the few games we will have this year and chance of meet old friends and foes.
I for one wont be complaining about a long trip to the far end of the county on a Friday evening with a coffee and sandwich from a Petrol station.

Supersub Downjim and a positive tone don't go together.You see his post above - who is he trying to impress with that one !

So regulations are still in place here but why oh why are teams out training ?
Club committees or County Boards need to take action on this , no concern for the welfare of society and above the law .Well I hope to see Club Committes and County Boards suspend these people from our association. It is reckless and showing disregard to society and sending a very bad example to those young lads summoned to training.Covid19 is a serious issue , a life and death issue and we all must follow the guidelines and those that don't should be punished.
Sporting Organizations are meant to lead so it will be interesting to see how our local coaches and managers are dealt with on this one.
The GAA in Down now have been set a test , are they going to punish these coaches and managers ? The GAA can not speak about caring for society and doing their best if they tolerate this.
I know many friends who are frontline workers and are disgusted.
If hairdressers and other professions have to keep the rules surely The GAA can also.

And punish those managers and coaches who decide to call training during a pandemic and against the law.

It is getting close now - feel like it is Christmas Eve . ,it is big pity Newry can't organise a drive thru screen for this game.So many locals are LFC fans and would be a boost for society here .Looks like that isn't happening but  there is about 6 socially distant fans will have ale and some pies watching .YNWA

Can't believe no where in Northern Ireland esp .Newry (please ) can't facilitate a drive through for Sunday's game - V Toffees .Could you use shopping centre car parks ?
Atmosphere would be brilliant , two more wins and we have her.

Ah well that is a pity.
We'll just have to get on with treble.
YNWA
It was going to end some day that run, better against Watford than some other also ran.

JC the two biggest clubs in Down in terms of numbers are Bredagh and Carryduff and by a mile.

What i was tying to get at was that there are clubs in the county not even playing lip service to Scor.

When i look at GAA clubs in the county, the likes of Clonduff and Mayobridge would be strong in providing most aspects of the gaa, Warrenpoint, Kilcoo , Ford, Castlwellan as well, Burren would be a strong football clubs for boys and girls but Scor could improve.

I know Scor could improve but music, dance and song is as much as our heritage as our games and we as the gaa community need to protect and pass on to future generations.

I would also like to see a resurgence of hurling in clubs in the county but numbers might be a problem but clubs should amalgamate so give children the opportunity to play ,

Truth hurts you belong in 1900s , the GAA has moved on from this bullshit.No one cares about those things only a handful of backward folk.The GAA is a modern sports association and is moving on to a tolerant modern era.
No longer being manipulated by extremists .It is a sporting association not some dinosaur.
In time Score will be binned along with Rule 21 and Rule 42.
The people don't want any politics in the new GAA  , they want unionist and nationalist involved together and don't want these dinosaur activities bringing it back to its past.
It is sport and only sport.
In time with guys like Burns at the helm it can get rid of the playing of the Irish anthem and maybe adopt Ireland's Call type song.
I would say most posters on here are of the same view.

We missed plenty of chances yesterday but w really could do with harrison as a pivotal playing in attack, would like to see a forward line of O'Hagan, Quinn, McCabe, Jerome, Harrison and Donal

Have to agree there , we are creating chances but our forward line has no cutting edge bar Donal O'Hare ,Liam Kerr (he deserves full games) and O'Hagan ,I'd keep McCabe in about there also but reality is the rest (robots) are not up to inter-county standard.

A few of them just run the ball like headless chickens and can't make a telling pass in,some very very limited players getting game time this last while.But it still is only February but the sooner we start giving Liam Kerr full games the better.

Liam has that class we associate with Down football.

[Abbey are a McLarnon School not a McRory School.]

I see Abbey knocked out at the first knockout phase today. What an underachieving school.

I see Abbey knocked out at the first knockout phase today. What an underachieving school.

If the players aren't there,what can you expect?

As a guy who was an Abbey Boy I just can't understand it but I think it is at the stage now that we enter B Competitions , we are a McLarnon School not a McRory School anymore.

Down the school Abbey are entered into B competitions.

Time we just entered the McLarnon and we would hardly win it but it is the standard Abbey is at.The feeder clubs have delusions of gradeur as does the School.But reality is we are a B School .

Abbey are a McLarnon School not a McRory School.

Great win last night and well grinded out.Paddy is doing some job, teaching us how to win by toughness and resilience.

Knowing about University Football myself and Paddy's approach he has brought those skills to the inter county arena.

Now I must get off this phone and back to a few pints here on my favorite Sunday of the year.
Patrick Mahomes to cooper fasten his MVP credentials with The Chiefs by 9 or more.
It will be a red weekend with us creating more Premier League records ,Down win and Chiefs about to.
Now back to the drink #Superbowl2020

Have to say Good luck and be great if they could win.Now or ver for them as doubtful they'll get out of Down 2020.

Tomorrow will be for lots of posters on here I reckon to be channel switching between Gaelic final and the big game on Sky the real Reds v Red Mancs. And a little trip over to see Reds soon but that is for another day.

Then NFL Championship Games (but no Pats or Brady !) ..

Superb Sports Sunday.

WOW Can you believe it ? Liverpool FC are World Champions !!!! #ynwa

Time for beers and fillies later ....

Still no word on age groups for 2020 yet teams will be back training in a few weeks. What nights are games on etc
Coaching officer role should be given to Poacher or Laverty

As far as I can see we are agreed for u13,15,17 age groups for 2020.We have been discussing Saturdays for a u19 grade to alternate each Saturday with Reserves.

Regards Coaching Officer Role I would look no further than Dan McCartan Burren ,he seems committed and steady.It appears that he wouldn't have the wherewithal to be a manager or coach but could turn out to be a good administrator.With his commitment I feel this could be a master stroke to co opt him on to County Board as Coaching Officer.

Conor Lavery is the man for the coaching role, no other individual comes close, Dan McCartan has had experience with wee James in the minor set up and if we are honest about it, that didn't go well in terms of results, I'm not knocking either person as it takes a lot to manager / coach a county team but Lavery is your man, it's about time we as a county started to appoint the right people in important positions.

This coaching officer post doesn't need to be a quality coach or manager but is more administrative.This is where Dan McCartan Burren could come in as an administrator as he has a profile name ,(with respect to his efforts at coaching or managing that appears to be not working out) let's use him and from what I am led to believe his talents would be better served on the County Board than a training pitch.
I'm sure there are others out there but this role is not a new one but I feel Jack will co-opt Daniel on to the County Board.

Still no word on age groups for 2020 yet teams will be back training in a few weeks. What nights are games on etc
Coaching officer role should be given to Poacher or Laverty

As far as I can see we are agreed for u13,15,17 age groups for 2020.We have been discussing Saturdays for a u19 grade to alternate each Saturday with Reserves.

Regards Coaching Officer Role I would look no further than Dan McCartan Burren ,he seems committed and steady.It appears that he wouldn't have the wherewithal to be a manager or coach but could turn out to be a good administrator.With his commitment I feel this could be a master stroke to co opt him on to County Board as Coaching Officer.

For pity's sake Yewtree crawl back under the rock from whence you came from, who are the sponsors that don't want a centre of excellance , you keep telling us of rumblings and here say, the new chairman will do what's right for the county not just what the Newry gaels want, by the way he also from east down.

Jack Devanney as Chairman is a massive coup for Down , the regard he is held in is phenomenal on the corridors of GAA power.The fact that no one stood against him is a mark of the esteem he is held in within the county.

He is extremely educated well spoken ,well read on GAA issues and is a progressive.From talking to people the amazing part is it has taken him so long to become Chairman ,some say a potential President.He has worked tirelessly at all levels of the GAA over the years.

From a business background and living in South Down his first big challenge will be Ballykinler.

Will he scale it back and look at the options closer to home in Newry for us? Talk before was of the site near Newry and a scaled back Ballykinler , yes planning has been submitted but an amendment could be added.Jack Devanney will be looking to make his mark from the get go and I have a feeling Ballykinler will be on his radar to scale back.

Already the rumblings from sponsors like what has happened in other counties has begun.The sponsors will have a big say on this before any brick is laid and Jack Devanney will be very aware of those sponsors.So very much looking forward to his term.

As far as I have been told for all your information Jack is not from East Down , he lives in South Down and is originally from the Cuala Club.I'm told years ago he was a driving force in Bredagh but now moved on to South Down.

He is articulate and has done trojan work through the years at club and university level and watch this space what he does regards Newry site and Ballykinlar.

I am led to believe he is on the liberal progressive side of the GAA and look forward to his tenure.