Down Club Hurling & Football

Started by Lecale2, November 10, 2006, 12:06:55 AM

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Nanderson

Quote from: thewobbler on February 15, 2025, 07:44:35 PMDown did very well to keep that so close. Really not sure it's possible we can progress to D1 level until a couple of big men are found.
Definetly struggled in that 3rd quarter around the middle. It seemed like Meath were winning everything and their forwards were lording it. Francis coming on made a positive effect. I think until Down can compete with the bigger teams in midfield for these long kick outs they need to work on some set plays to make space for the goalkeeper to kick into

Sheedy

In the 3 games so far we've definitely struggled in the middle third from kick outs, both our own and oppositions. It's putting the defence under pressure and let's opposition build up a head of steam like Meath done tonight in the third quarter.

Down are well able to compete in this division, it's the small margins that can see you looking down rather than up. Don't think the pitch helped tonight, it was very heavy and Down struggled to get hands on the ball. 


ONARAGGATIP

Unfortunately we never really looked like winning. Why was the free reversed at start of second half that gave them a two pointer. Some bizarre calls. The games against cavan and Westmeath are crucial. The long kick down the middle reaps no rewards for down. As someone mentioned work needed on set plays for kick outs. It's a seriously competitive division.

maldini

Quote from: thewobbler on February 15, 2025, 07:44:35 PMDown did very well to keep that so close. Really not sure it's possible we can progress to D1 level until a couple of big men are found.

Wouldn't be near good enough for Division 1 at the minute.

Need more than one reliable scoring forward. If Havern isn't scoring there's no one else really.

snoopdog

Meath are a year further down the road than us. The year of playing better teams has stood to them.
Some strange calls from the ref but I wouldn't say they cost Down the game. Meath deserved it.
It's a competitive league. Louth another tough game next Sunday in Drogheda. It's attainable to stay up I think. It's a pity the johnsons and Liam Kerr aren't available. Burns looks god in goal , mad a great save in 2nd half.
But agree with a few on here the midfield is a bug issue, has been for many many years.
But alot of positives from opening 3 games. A bug positive is the never give in mentality. When Meath went 7 up the Down of a few years ago would have dropped the heads and lost by 15.

ardtole

Meath are very strong in the middle 3rd and are physically very big, with strength in depth, I think they will give Roscommon their fill of it in Navan next week.

I thought Brannigan and McClements helped things when they came on. I also think the dry ball and fast ground will benefit Down a lot in the summer months too.

On the game itself, I've no idea what the call at the start of the 2nd half that overturned a free for Down to a 2 point free for Meath.

In fairness we got the 2 point lead back and we were on the attack, when Docherty give a sloppy fist pass which Meath intercepted and led to another Meath 2 pointer. This seemed to be the catalyst for Meath to dominate the next 10-12 minutes and they built up a 7 point lead.

We battled well without looking like really getting back level, but on the positive side, the subs done well when introduced and Down kept battling to the end.

If we had of won, we would have been in the shake up for promotion but in reality, as someone already mentioned, we are a fair bit of div 1 football. Kerr in particular is a big loss and the fact we have only 1 more home game is a cause of concern, we will probably need an away win to secure d2 football next year, which I would be content with.


snoopdog

Quote from: ardtole on Today at 07:13:23 AMMeath are very strong in the middle 3rd and are physically very big, with strength in depth, I think they will give Roscommon their fill of it in Navan next week.

I thought Brannigan and McClements helped things when they came on. I also think the dry ball and fast ground will benefit Down a lot in the summer months too.

On the game itself, I've no idea what the call at the start of the 2nd half that overturned a free for Down to a 2 point free for Meath.

In fairness we got the 2 point lead back and we were on the attack, when Docherty give a sloppy fist pass which Meath intercepted and led to another Meath 2 pointer. This seemed to be the catalyst for Meath to dominate the next 10-12 minutes and they built up a 7 point lead.

We battled well without looking like really getting back level, but on the positive side, the subs done well when introduced and Down kept battling to the end.

If we had of won, we would have been in the shake up for promotion but in reality, as someone already mentioned, we are a fair bit of div 1 football. Kerr in particular is a big loss and the fact we have only 1 more home game is a cause of concern, we will probably need an away win to secure d2 football next year, which I would be content with.


A good synopsis of where we are. Very unlike Doherty to give a sloppy ball like that. Looking fwd to Drogheda next Sunday.