Messages

Sad news this morning with the breaking news of the death of Sean McCashin, the Down Ulster Council delegate and referee.
Thoughts and prayers for his family and friends.
He's been a member of our club the last few years.

RIP Sean.

RIP Sean. That was a man truly dedicated to Down GAA.

didnt know that about them being possibly only team to win 2 in a row , is there then a reason why all counties are not adopting the tyrone method of leagues and championship ?

The Tyrone SFC format of straight knockout football has led to some great games to watch over the years, it might lead to a few more entertaining games in Down but perhaps it would still end up being the same teams in the final anyway as Kilcoo are relentless, and you've a couple of others in the next bracket. A more cynical view is that there might be more money to be made through having more games and a back door system, or group formats as some counties have.

A realistic view is the current championship format is better than straight knockout. What are the advantages of straight knockout? If you think Kilcoo would have won any fewer than they have in the last decade or so, you are mistaken. Current format is far better for players who are asked a hell of a lot more in terms of commitment than yesteryear at club level.

I hadn't actually stated the straight knockout was better. But since you mention it, I believe at club level it is far better. Kilcoo have been the best team by a mile for years, maybe nobody would have knocked them out, but sure maybe it would have happened once or twice and made things more interesting. As for the commitment thing, as others have mentioned playing 2 or 3 games instead of one, when you play for a team that won't have a chance of beating Kilcoo twice to win it, is absolutely pointless. Players play and train because they love football. They get 16 or 18 league games to play. Why make them play 2 extra games 9/10 months after they started training if they have almost zero chance of causing an upset to win a championship? Just an opinion. Also, watching Tyrone's SFC games compared to other counties is a far more entertaining experience.

didnt know that about them being possibly only team to win 2 in a row , is there then a reason why all counties are not adopting the tyrone method of leagues and championship ?

The Tyrone SFC format of straight knockout football has led to some great games to watch over the years, it might lead to a few more entertaining games in Down but perhaps it would still end up being the same teams in the final anyway as Kilcoo are relentless, and you've a couple of others in the next bracket. A more cynical view is that there might be more money to be made through having more games and a back door system, or group formats as some counties have.

when you look at the teams representing each county at ulster and beyond the same thing happens in most counties , there is 1 dominant team and the rest make up the numbers . the usual suspects all in ulster again or in their county finals

Cross, Glen, eirigal ,kilcoo, carigan , derrygonnelly , scotstown, gowna, naomh conaill .

not too many new names , all counties have the same issues teams in down do

Tyrone final is this weekend, Errigal v Trillick. They've had 7 different winners in the last 7 years, so I wouldn't say there are usual suspects there. If Errigal win they would be the first team to twin 2 in a row in nearly 20 years.
And in Derry, Glen aren't near the level of dominance as Kilcoo, not for another few years yet anyway. The remainder of the counties do have more dominant clubs, be it reaching finals or winning several championship's in a row.

Hurling final described as epic.. my god.. it was far far far from epic. Watch a Tipperary/Waterford/Clare hurling match and you will see epic. It was a decent game for our county standard but wouldn't cut it in a real hurling field.

On another note let's hope the hurling 6 page reports end now and then quoted and another 2 pages added to it.

Another person with the inability to scroll past something they aren't interested in.

I like hurling as much as the next person splash . The essays you are writing not so much

Then don't read them. Plenty others on here enjoy the bit of a narrative and info.

Maybe starting a hurling topic on main page might be an idea instead of having to scroll past essays and quotes of essays

Maybe start a thread called "division 1 Down club football" if that's all you want to read about. That should save you a huge amount of time each day moving your thumb slightly to scroll past a few posts.

I like hurling as much as the next person splash . The essays you are writing not so much

Then don't read them. Plenty others on here enjoy the bit of a narrative and info.

Stream for the junior final only loading up 30 seconds before the throw in. No information on teams or even 15 minutes of build up to talk through routes to the final. Absolute shambles. You can be sure there will be a full hour of coverage before the Kilcoo and Burren game and a good half hour or more before the intermediate

Are you surprised? Given that the county board squeezed most of the JFC in to Saturday afternoons, which impacted smaller clubs due to player unavailability with work or soccer clashing with the games, there is clearly disdain towards the competition.

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

SFC

Burren

IFC

Liatroim

JFC

Drumaness

This supposed sledging that goes on. Only stupid players react. Smart players don't.If you want to win championship finals be smart be disciplined and win. Don't blame others for your failure

Easier said than done, given some of the disgusting very personal things that have been said on occassions in the past. No idea if that is what really happened at the weekend, but I'd guess the fella's that have given out the personal abuse in the past wouldn't have the stones to do it if they were standing alone on the street. Football is a sport. That crap has no place, nor does the violence.

It's strange that players behave like this during football matches when I'd imagine most of them wouldn't be out throwing punches away from the pitch. There seems to be some sort of belief that fighting on a football pitch isn't the same as fighting outside a bar or anywhere else. The old "what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch" attitude maybe. But most players now are far stronger and heavier than ever, and a punch could do serious damage. Young kids seeing that could well be put off playing football too. It's pathetic.

Nanderson, not a bad shout about the information session. It's a start.

[Aughlisnafin]

Relegation/Semi Final Round Predictions

Relegation Play Off IFC

Aughlisnafin vs St Pauls

Relgation Play Off SFC

Bryansford vs Saval

-------------------------------

Parador Lodge JFC Semi finals

East Belfast V Ardglass
Kilclief V Drumaness / Dromara

Parador Lodge IFC Semi Finals

Liatroim V Annaclone
St John's V Rostrevor

Morgan Fuels SFC Semi Finals

Burren V Glenn
Kilcoo V Clonduff

Half time scores so far
-
1-06 v 0-03
0-05 v 0-02
0-04 v 0-02

That's poor, ball retention without actually trying to go break lines. I'd wonder if the SFC standard is the same across the country. Anyone have insight elsewhere?

As for rule changes, I can't think of any easy solutions that can be administered competently during a game.

The Kerry SFC game shown on tg4 on Sunday was decent entertainment. More kicking, players taking risks in order to get rewards, mistakes made but players not afraid to make them. Teams in Down seem paralysed by the fear of making a bad pass or shooting wide. Doesn't seem like there is much joy in playing for a club in the SFC.

Low scoring boring affairs and teams setting up not to lose.  The Down Championships has been a snore fest so far!  I think everyone is waiting on Kilcoo v Burren and hopefully the two teams go at it with no nonsense.

It's hard to see them two teams having a real go at eachother. It'll probably be yet another case of highly paid management playing it safe and playing not to lose, as opposed to allowing their teams to play some actual football and having the belief that will be enough to win. I hope I'm wrong....