Messages

Let the bloodletting begin then .........................

Seriously but - yuo can't just give DJ / Ross one year and throw them out - Down need time - they need to find new players and find a new attitude as well.

Ross said earlier that it was a young panel and would take soime time. It is the same bloody panel that POR had except a few of them are now being played totally out of position (Murtagh, Clarke etc.).At least POR had restored pride in the Down jersey notwithstanding the poor display against Sligo (by the way Sligo dont look too bad after this wekkend do they?).

Well Denver - let's start with your clubman Benny. Can you explain his recent performances in the Down jersey? Is he played out of position? Is he not motivated? Has he suddenly become just an ordinary player?
Now let's consider Brenadan Grant - do you think he is anything other than a fiull back or corner back?
How many club games do you go to? How many players from Castlewellan or Kilcoo have been given a fair crack in the team?
Just to start you thinking ........

According to the match programme on Saturday, our record in the back door was the 24th worst in the country going into the game.

Mourne Rover - after Saturday  our record is now 25th worst - Kildare having gone above us after their win. What a record for Down!
The debacle against Sligo last year led to loud claims for POR to go. By any standards - results  in McKenna Cup, Nat League, Championship, Qualifiers - and most of all the evidence of our own eyes - the situation this year is far far worse. Name me one improvement that has been made either in personnel, positions, tactics or most of all ,spirit. Somebody on the bus is kidding us - but not all of us.

Down's record in the qualifiers is  one of the worst - in the company of Waterford etc.
We have only one 1 competitive game all year - the replay over Cavan who then lost to Mayo as well.
What a fall!

The whole RTE presentation would put you to sleep. BBC (NI) do far better job. Marty Morrissey on TV, Brian Carty on radio, Jim carney anywhere - jezz give us a break! Tohill bores the socks off me as does Paul Curran. McStay can be interesteing but too serious about himself. Martin McHugh is good but I'd like to see some "fire in the belly" pundits who are not subjected to the dead hand that currently directs GAA production on RTE.

Brick Tamlin - now there's a name!
Agree on most points.

Have we lost the entire U21 team from two years ago?
Is there nobody in Castlewellan, Liatroim or Kilcoo who warrants a try instead of the same failures being rotated like deck chairs on the Titanic?

Hard to believe DJ - the essence of commitment and leadership - is associated with this abject outfit.

down posters slabbering about how poor meath are/were, should really shut up. its embarassing that after watching saturday's game some of you have the bottle to log on here and slag off meath.....!

Golden years with wool in your ears. No one is slagging off Meath. You have genuine Down fans trying to put a series of dreadful performances into a wider context and recognising that these defeats are not being inflicted by kerry, Cork or Tyrone but by average teams (like Meath) who honestly will not count come September. Take off the blinkers.

I can't believe that some people think Meath are a poor team. They have the forwards to do damage and could go further than people think this year. Hopefully anyway.

Down are abysmal and Meath just about managed to beat them  not forgetting definitely peanlty not given for fould on Coulter and some Down near misses at end. Spirit of Fay and superb Moyles dispays kept meath afloat with occasional glimpses from Bray and Farrell. So, no, not a gooid Meath team. However, a kind draw in the next round will see Geraghty back and another shot at progress.

Criticsm of the Down support is well out of line. The last 3 games at Newry have shown a huge turn out of fans for a hugely poor team, especially the 20 -30 age group of supporters all wearing (expensive) Down gear, lodly supporting the team. That they take another demoralising display in good sporting spirit should not be seen as a sign of disinterest.

I thought I wouldnt feel worse than after Sligo last year. WRONG! Meath are a poor team - Down were clueless, shapeless, lifeless, and clearly leaderless. Not a single breaking ball won in front of our  midfield. That doesnt require tactics - it requires a decent half forwad - but then John Clarke was playing at fulll back!

I saw the team arriving all kitted out, separate kit van, physios and attendants to beat the band. All smoke and mirrors my friends - no substance at all. Shambles all round.

I agree that we need to take the league seriously next year - how about setting the target of actually winning at least ONE game?

Anti Kerry?
Pat Spillane & Miceal in charge of the airways. Danny Lynch pulling the strings at Croke Park. Where does the poor Ulster man get a word in? Oh aye, I forgot, Joe Brolly - that evens ALL scores!

For a number of years now Down are the only team not named early in the week and very often when the team does appear it bears little resemblance to that issued to the press. But dont knock it, for it obviously gives us a major psychological advanrage as our scintillating results in the last 8 years or so demonstrates. Forget about Danny and his damaged hand, my bet is on a full forward line of Bundy Mason, Willie Walsh and the tooth fairy. In defence we will field the usual ine up of bus conductors and hospitality stewards. We were once the beacon of Ulster - we are a a dark spec in the distance if not a laughing stock today.

Was at the Bredagh race day last Friday and also the Antrim race day on 1st June - both were superb. Loads of people, prizes, good meal, great bands, craic - Geen Fitzpatrick brilliant at the Antrim do - the Chevvys played till late with Bredagh. Both organised by Magee Event Management who apparently have been the tops at this for many  years all over the country. Beware of the Tipsters though - the bookies now have my savins! Highly recommended.

Time for a shake-up
Team for Meath:
McVeigh, Cole, Scullion,Toner; Murtagh, Kearney, Rafferty; Murphy, Gordon; Walsh, Clarke, Coulter; Hughes, McGovern, McCumiskey.

Coulter not on song - how could he be - you wont hear a singer if he is drowned out by his own choir. This busibness of Down bunching 2 or 3 players on the edge of the square is a defender's dream. When will we learn simple basic tactics to get the best out of our best player.
And if Kilcoo can canter away with the league in Down how come we cant find a single mountainy defender from there for a panel which is totally at sea ?

Defence: McCartan & Mc Guigan are loively lads but nowhere near county standard. Rooney did well at helf back in the league so why stick him in a position he cant play. Grant and Clarke have both gone off the boil this last couple oy years. Murtagh is bit loose in ways but makes up for it with overall contribution. Apart from Scullion Rafferty and maybe Doyle we need to fin a coupl of new corner backs with tenacity and speed - URGENT!!
Midfield: Good and getting better,
Forwards: Somebody needs to wise up and stop playing Coulter so close to his own men, Give him the space preferably at half forard to roast his marker(s) - and to work a bit more. Where has Hughes confidence gone - get him shooting. Good to see Walsh looking fit - hope he lasts. Kearney has earned a start. Carr is worth perservering with but not in central role where he doesnt forage for breaking ball - an aspect where we failed badly on Sunday. Packie might be more of a man to come into a game and worth holding on to. Try Mc Govern at full and take Benny out.
But OH OH what a defence!