Down Club Hurling & Football

[manwithnoplan]

Not really sure what the county committee will do. Thought that corn an duin had its merits last year but was a bit lop sided in planning and execution. It would be good if the committee were planning now for next season, but in typical fashion it will be left until middle of march before anything is even talked about

Expand on this lopsided planning & execution? Or is it just another chance to moan about the County Board. You’ll find Down’s fixtures are among the best organised around. Never going to please everyone but just ask around other counties. You just have to look at what Armagh clubs were given as a calendar last year as one example.

Just really didnt see the value in 1st Div teams playing 3rd Div teams - no-one learns anything genuine. Also was a bit long winded - no need for 7 games - could have been condensed to 4 games or 3 games. Just my opinion

Can see where you are coming from, though it has to be said given the uncertain times and the lack of football the previous year it was a fairly good attempt by the county board to give players something to look forward to and take part in. I think most players now appreciate even more how fortunate they are to be able to get out and kick ball at the weekend regardless of the competition.

[Kong King]

Not really sure what the county committee will do. Thought that corn an duin had its merits last year but was a bit lop sided in planning and execution. It would be good if the committee were planning now for next season, but in typical fashion it will be left until middle of march before anything is even talked about

Expand on this lopsided planning & execution? Or is it just another chance to moan about the County Board. You’ll find Down’s fixtures are among the best organised around. Never going to please everyone but just ask around other counties. You just have to look at what Armagh clubs were given as a calendar last year as one example.

Just really didnt see the value in 1st Div teams playing 3rd Div teams - no-one learns anything genuine. Also was a bit long winded - no need for 7 games - could have been condensed to 4 games or 3 games. Just my opinion

Can see where you are coming from, though it has to be said given the uncertain times and the lack of football the previous year it was a fairly good attempt by the county board to give players something to look forward to and take part in. I think most players now appreciate even more how fortunate they are to be able to get out and kick ball at the weekend regardless of the competition.

That's true too. I'm just thinking that if they're willing to invest so much time of the season into this, it could be used to beef out a league campaign like in pre covid. CAD was used by clubs last year to cherrypick games. Not trying to downgrade it, it's fact. But I thought it was a good theory which could be tweaked

[Johnnysboys]

Could the window being used for the CAD not be used for n effective U19/U20 competition rather than the half assed effort they are at present??

[Smurfy123]

Yes a better 19/20 competition needs to happen and with the current scheduling it just doesn’t work
I think the board will push on with normal leagues from March
As bad as cases are now with covid I think the days of lockdowns on outdoor sports is gone

[Kong King]

Yes a better 19/20 competition needs to happen and with the current scheduling it just doesn’t work
I think the board will push on with normal leagues from March
As bad as cases are now with covid I think the days of lockdowns on outdoor sports is gone

Yes hopefully. It's been a struggle this last few years and it makes you realise how much you miss uninterrupted football. The U20/U21/U19 has traditionally always been in winter. It's never changed apart from the number of clubs participating has got smaller. What do you suggest would make it better?

[Johnnysboys]

]

Yes hopefully. It's been a struggle this last few years and it makes you realise how much you miss uninterrupted football. The U20/U21/U19 has traditionally always been in winter. It's never changed apart from the number of clubs participating has got smaller. What do you suggest would make it better?
[/quote]

Last years alternate weeks theory was excellent. Clubs play on alternate Saturdays with the PRFL. Playing on Saturday meant that u17 could be used if low on numbers as they don’t play until Monday nights. It didn’t work in terms of participating teams which is a major problem. For some reason teams love these B,C,D etc competitions. It’s absolutely nothing to do with lack of numbers. If you can’t field a team between 16-19 year olds - don’t enter the competition. I don’t often give credit to the noisy neighbours but they used it perfectly.. any u19 lads that played for the seniors on Friday night  didn’t feature on the Saturday. They didn’t hammer anyone and took a bit of a dent v Carryduff in the group phase. What’s the point in Odhran Murdock playing for seniors on Friday nights (full game) and doing the same on Saturday in u19 (full game). Some lad is then sitting having got no football that weekend and this is why we have drop out rates..
If I’m training with the seniors/PR in my club and not quite making either team but can definitely get a game every other week with my peers - at least I have a reason for training. My own club situation was a disgrace last year - entered the league, then pulled out, then re entered and got a couple of hidings as it wasn’t ran correctly from a club perspective. Hopefully something can be done this year as it’s crucial with a senior team with players in mid to late 30s to be looking at the next generation in a competitive field..

[Ed Hardy]

Good to have the county season back this Friday. The I.N. article with Niall McP. sounded like Mc Kernan, McArdle, Darren O'hagan were all still involved this year, makes sense for their experience alone. They also said new players included  Dennis Murtagh, Jack Mccartan, T Rushe and O Murdock. Will be interesting to see what sort of team lines out against  Donegal, given they are so far behind most  counties in terms of starting,  you would imagine they will play a fairly strong team.

[Lecale Gael]

Down ACFL as per website with teams listed last seasons placings. The normal way to grade championships status in past and it’s not far away by the looks of it. Bredagh and Saul probably punching above their weight which is great to see.

Championship status (SFC/IFC/JFC) as denoted based on last season performance.
Rostrevor relegated to IFC
An Riocht promoted to SFC
Dromara relegated to JFC
Aughlisnafin promoted to IFC


ACFL Division 1 (12 teams)
 
CPN Warrenpoint (SFC)
Clonduff (SFC)
Mayobridge (SFC) - S Poacher
Burren (SFC)
Carryduff (SFC)
Cill Chua (SFC) - M Moran
Ballyholland (SFC)
Bryansford (SFC) - C Deegan
Rostrevor (IFC) - B Coulter
Loughinisland (SFC)
RGU Downpatrick (SFC) - Robinson
Castlewellan (SFC)
 
ACFL Division 2 (10 teams)
 
Longstone (SFC)
Glenn John Martins (SFC)
An Riocht (SFC)
Darragh Cross (IFC)
Bredagh (SFC)
Sabhaill Naomh Pádraig (SFC)
Annaclone (IFC)
St John’s Drumnaquoile (IFC)
Liatroim (IFC)
Saval (IFC)
 
ACFL Division 3 (12 teams)
 
Newry Shamrocks (IFC)
Ballymartin (IFC)
Tullylish (IFC)
Drumgath (IFC)
Attical (IFC)
Aughlisnafin (IFC)
St John Bosco (IFC)
Clan na Banna (IFC)
Teconnaught (JFC)
Bright (IFC)
Dromara (JFC)
St Pauls (IFC)
 
ACFL Division 4 (9 teams)
 
Kilclief (JFC)
Dundrum (JFC)
Ardglass (JFC)
East Belfast (JFC)
St Colman’s Drumaness (JFC)
Glasdrumman (JFC)
Aghaderg (JFC)
St Michaels (JFC)
Newry Mitchels (JFC)

The Championships anomaly of IFC teams in div 4 now corrected it appears.
The only JFC teams in Div 3 are Teconnaught and Dromara. There are no Div 4 teams in IFC.

With div 1 and div 3 both having 12 teams I don’t think the CAD is feasible. Be lucky to even get two rounds as that’s 22 games.

Also not sure on St Paul’s status as have not seen anything publicly stated either ??

Div 1 contenders
Burren, Kilcoo, Clonduff but hard to call if starred leagues

Div 2
Longstone and Glenn I reckon

Div 3
Shamrocks the strongest and any from Drumgath, Ballymartin or Attical ?

Div 4
Kilclief prob strongest but Dundrum and Drumaness in the mix I’d say but East Belfast are the dark horses they seem to be getting stronger

As regards managers am not sure who is with whom ??
Poacher at Mayobridge
Deegan at Bryansford

[Back2Winning]

Club Managers for 2022 Please update where missing

ACFL Division 1 (12 teams)
 
CPN Warrenpoint (SFC) - S Mullholland
Clonduff (SFC) - C McBride
Mayobridge (SFC) - S Poacher
Burren (SFC) - J McCorry
Carryduff (SFC) - F Moriarty
Cill Chua (SFC) - M Moran
Ballyholland (SFC) - R Murtagh
Bryansford (SFC) - C Deegan
Rostrevor (IFC) - B Coulter
Loughinisland (SFC) -K Duffin
RGU Downpatrick (SFC) - K Gracey
Castlewellan (SFC) - B Grant
 
ACFL Division 2 (10 teams)
 
Longstone (SFC) -
Glenn John Martins (SFC) - T Bagnall
An Riocht (SFC) - D Mussen
Darragh Cross (IFC) - DJ Kane / E Gormley
Bredagh (SFC) - B Mason
Sabhaill Naomh Pádraig (SFC) C O'Toole
Annaclone (IFC) - J Haughey
St John’s Drumnaquoile (IFC) - C Burns
Liatroim (IFC) - F Fitzsummins
Saval (IFC) - D Hughes
 
ACFL Division 3 (12 teams)
 
Newry Shamrocks (IFC) - M Rafferty
Ballymartin (IFC) - C Brannagan
Tullylish (IFC) - D Corbett
Drumgath (IFC) - J Lynch
Attical (IFC) -
Aughlisnafin (IFC) - J Morgan
St John Bosco (IFC) - M McVeigh
Clan na Banna (IFC) - P Feeny
Teconnaught (JFC) - H Greene
Bright (IFC) - F Toner
Dromara (JFC) -
St Pauls (IFC) -
 
ACFL Division 4 (9 teams)
 
Kilclief (JFC) -
Dundrum (JFC) - J Clarke
Ardglass (JFC) -
East Belfast (JFC) -
St Colman’s Drumaness (JFC) -
Glasdrumman (JFC) -
Aghaderg (JFC) -
St Michaels (JFC) -
Newry Mitchels (JFC) -

[Lecale Gael]

Dromara - M Walker
St Pauls - P Hannigan
Attical - C Burden

[Kong King]

Drumaness - Pat Morgan
Longstone - Eamon Morgan
Mitchels - Marty Boyle
Glasdrumman - Liam Howlett

[Lotto]

Good to have the county season back this Friday. The I.N. article with Niall McP. sounded like Mc Kernan, McArdle, Darren O'hagan were all still involved this year, makes sense for their experience alone. They also said new players included Dennis Murtagh, Jack Mccartan, T Rushe and O Murdock. Will be interesting to see what sort of team lines out against  Donegal, given they are so far behind most  counties in terms of starting,  you would imagine they will play a fairly strong team.

The new players were described as youngsters which they are far from. Murdock is a serious talent and the IN mentions Charlie Smyth, Andrew Gilmore and Tom Close have all come up from the U20's. We'll need much more than this but these lads have potential. Gritty, tenecious, tight marking defenders, brutes of mobile midfielders and direct/incesive ball winning forwards are what we are lost for. Lads with the balls and attitude of Darren O'Hagan also but I just don't see it. Avoiding the Tailteann Cup has to be a priority for long term gain, dropping to Div 3 would be horrendeous.

[Truth hurts]

I am looking forward to this Friday's game to see what we have new to offer, I am not expecting much in the Mckenna cup but I am concerned as to why BOH made that rallying call to the Kilcoo contingent yesterday.  Its there murmurings from the Kilcoo camp that they won't attend the squad?

RIP to Sean Stranney , a Bright legend.

[Smurfy123]

It wasn’t a great interview by BOH
Basically saying the need 9 Kilcoo players to survive in division 2 ? Who are these 9?
And he looks on in envy about how the Tyrone players look?

[wobbller]

I am looking forward to this Friday's game to see what we have new to offer, I am not expecting much in the Mckenna cup but I am concerned as to why BOH made that rallying call to the Kilcoo contingent yesterday.  Its there murmurings from the Kilcoo camp that they won't attend the squad?

RIP to Sean Stranney , a Bright legend.

  A long way to go for such a late throw-in on a Friday night.Will you go yourself? Any others planning to go?