Messages

Am I right that this is the first time we've beaten Cork since the All-Ireland semi final in 1994?

I would say it is. In all my years following Down beating Cork in 1994 was one of the most complete performances I remember. We destroyed them that day.

Meath are up next, and it's a hell of a long time since we beat them. I remember getting a draw in Navan under Wee James on a very windy day, but have we beat them since '91?

I think the tap and go suits the majority of Down players, I don't think we have the calibre of forward (bar Havern) to take advantage of the new rules in comparison to a lot of counties.

From watching last week's game, there are a lot more long kick outs and invariably more breaking ball, which Roscommon definitely benefited more from.

Overall, I think there are plenty of counties whose players are more suited to the new rules than Down. But we'll just have to get on with it.

I heard on Sunday that Sheelin is travelling.

There were positives to take from the game, I thought McEvoy and Havern did well and Rooney when he came on. One cause of concern would be how few goal opportunities Down created.

When the new rules came out, I thought they would suit someone like Rory Mason who would be a threat from the 2 point range.It will be interesting to see what changes are made for the Cork game.

OHare was totally ineffective yesterday when he came out to join the attack, other players seemed reluctant to get him involved and even in the crowd you could sense his anxiety.

In contrast the Roscommon keeper was very assured in possession, created an overlap, particularly on the right hand side of their attack and although he never threatened the scoreboard he did give our defenders something to think about.

Is tg4 frozen for anyone else?

The NFL is really sneaking up on us without fuss or publicity.
You'd miss th'oul FBD as it got us thinking about the County game again, experimental lineups who's in who's out etc etc.
No one knows how these new rules will pan out, will they make a farce of the League,  will they suit some teams more than others  and so on
We're hoping we can repeat 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2022 by getting up after 1 season and winning the cupeen as well.

I think the new rules will suit Roscommon more than a lot of teams.

I've honestly no idea who will start for Down, and even guaranteed starters like McEvoy and Docherty, I'd be unsure where they will line out. Murdock got a hat trick from ff in the inter provincial game so he might be an option there instead of midfield.

I've never been to Hyde park so I'm looking forward to ticking that box this weekend.

A fist class looper.

The country would be in meltdown if a fella was doing this to woman, she needs locked up.

Very true. The false story about the gaa player assaulting her and her being forced to have an abortion, sure that shite could ruin a man.

Now now that's not the attitude, where is your sense of equality,inclusion and diversity brother. This is 2025 and just because your right what you say doesn't mean you can say it

Even  the older story where she lured Johnny B to that house in Dublin, imagine the gender roles were reversed there?

Well yeah, because that would be different if it was the other way around. Obviously it was terrible to deceive him in that way, but a short little girl is never going to be able to physically overpower a big grown man. He wasn't in any danger, and there is no epidemic of women murdering or assaulting men.

So if the gender roles were reversed it would be worse.

She wouldn't need to physically overpower him. She could  spike his cup of tea etc.more than one way to skin a cat.

Having said that, I think the tap and go rule will suit most of the Down players. Interesting few weeks ahead

To be promoted

Roscommon Evens
Monaghan 15/8
Cork 2/1
Down 2/1
Cavan 11/4
Louth 4/1
Meath  11/2
Westmeath 6/1

Opening round fixtures

Saturday 25th

Cork v Meath - 5pm
Cavan v Monaghan - 6pm

Sunday 26th

Roscommon v Down - 2pm
Westmeath v Louth - 2pm

Very interesting D2 this year, the 2 that came down will want to bounce back up, but Cork and Louth should be pushing to go up as well. Westmeath a good side and well Meath could either win the league or go down neither would shock me that much.

Down very short odds are they not? 

I was suprised Down were so short odds, particularly as we only have 3 home games.

I don't think we have the forwards to take advantage of the new rules, compared to the likes of Roscommon, although I'm looking forward to our 1st league game this year in the Hyde.

Started watching Black Doves, 2 episodes in and good so far.

I watched the whole series, I thought it was good too. Women at war is very good. Ww1 & 2 were horrific.

Thanks Jc

Are there any challenge games arranged for this weekend or next week?

It's a pity the McKenna cup was scrapped this year. I definitely would have went for a look to see how the new rules are being managed.

I'm looking forward to the Roscommon game, though I think Roscommon could be one of the teams to benefit from the new rules. I think they have the forwards to capitalise on the changes.

Having said that,  I think the tap and go rule will benefit Down, Liam Kerr in particular would have benefited from this, but unfortunately won be available.

In the inter provincial games Odhran Murdock got a hat trick from ff, I wonder will Laverty have him at ff or midfield. It's difficult to predict who the 3 players we will likely choose to stay forward and just as tricky to pick the 3 who might stay back.

If a Slaughtneil man had to have connected with a Sarsfields man's helmet similar to the controversial incident I think he would have got a red card.

There was a blatant push on the back by the Sarsfields corner back towards the end of the game, instead of a free in resulted in a Sarsfields attack.

The overcarrying incidents that were not pulled up was ridiculous, at least 4 blatant cases.

I honestly think Slaughtneil were very harshly dealt with.