NFL Division Three 2024

[grounded]

So looking at things as they stand,   it seems unlikely that the division 3 winner will qualify for Sam automatically.
    Clare on current form look likely to qualify as a provincial finalist.
    If Louth stay up in div 2 and qualify for the Leinster final that would (i think) allow the division 3 winner to qualify for Sam automatically.
    Of course there is a possibility of Westmeath or Kildare getting to Leinster final and therefore qualifying for Sam automatically.

[Gael85]

Westmeath and Down for the league final next week. Can't see Clare getting near Down. Will need to beat Tipperary in Munster semi final to compete in AI.

[Armagh18]

Westmeath and Down for the league final next week. Can't see Clare getting near Down. Will need to beat Tipperary in Munster semi final to compete in AI.

Fair chance of that. Whereas Down will have to beat Antrim and (hopefully) us to get to their provincial final.

[snoopdog]

Just want to get out of div 3 at this stage. Will worry about Sam maguire series later.

[APM]

Down will be waiting in the long grass in Ulster.  Unbeaten in a highly competitive Div 3, statement win against a decent Clare team and the best score difference across all four divisions. Massive incentive to make an Ulster final to qualify for the AI series.

The supposed easy side of the draw in Ulster will be anything but!

[Armagh18]

Down will be waiting in the long grass in Ulster.  Unbeaten in a highly competitive Div 3, statement win against a decent Clare team and the best score difference across all four divisions. Massive incentive to make an Ulster final to qualify for the AI series.

The supposed easy side of the draw in Ulster will be anything but!

No easy games in Ulster but Jesus if we aren't beating that Down team we're wasting our time.

[yellowcard]

Down will be waiting in the long grass in Ulster.  Unbeaten in a highly competitive Div 3, statement win against a decent Clare team and the best score difference across all four divisions. Massive incentive to make an Ulster final to qualify for the AI series.

The supposed easy side of the draw in Ulster will be anything but!

Highly competitive it most definitely wasn't. Clare lost their manager and a whole host of players before the beginning of the season. It would have been more surprising had Down not got out of division 3. I still think there is a big gap from there to division 2 and Down will will need to consolidate there for a couple of years. Laverty has done a decent job so far but they were starting from a low base.

The only relevant form guide between the 2 sides is last years Ulster championship match and the gulf was very evident that day. Down have improved since then but I doubt very much if they can bridge that gap within the space of 12 months.

[Wildweasel74]

Who all missing for Clare anyway, the 2 good lads, in the full forward line still playing? Keelan Sexton?

[snoopdog]

Armagh would be a couple of years ahead of Down. Down won't beat Arnagh if they meet in Ulster. In saying that, there isn't really any fear for Down ahead of next year's div 2.

[ardtole]

Down beat Donegal in the Ulster championship last year who got promoted from div 2 this year. They also beat Cavan in Breffini Park in the Tailtain cup last season.

Down won't fear any team next year in Div 2, particularly in Newry, even the 2 teams coming down from div 1 I'd expect Down to put it up to them at a minimum.

[downtothecore]

Down will be waiting in the long grass in Ulster.  Unbeaten in a highly competitive Div 3, statement win against a decent Clare team and the best score difference across all four divisions. Massive incentive to make an Ulster final to qualify for the AI series.

The supposed easy side of the draw in Ulster will be anything but!

No easy games in Ulster but Jesus if we aren't beating that Down team we're wasting our time.

Interesting viewpoint from Armagh side of the Fence..... off course we are on track to clash in ulster semi final.

[Gael85]

Who all missing for Clare anyway, the 2 good lads, in the full forward line still playing? Keelan Sexton?

Clare lost Pearse Lillis, Cian O'Dea, Ciaran Russell, Gavin Cooney, Darren O'Neil, Eoin Cleary, Keelan Sexton, Cathal O'Connor, Jamie Malone and Podge Collins from last year team. Cillian Brenna, Darragh Bohannon and Brendy Rouine missed league with injury.

The wrongly disallowed goal against Westmeath proved costly.

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

Did I see a Down player waving an imaginary card when the penalty was awarded?

[Armagh18]

Down will be waiting in the long grass in Ulster.  Unbeaten in a highly competitive Div 3, statement win against a decent Clare team and the best score difference across all four divisions. Massive incentive to make an Ulster final to qualify for the AI series.

The supposed easy side of the draw in Ulster will be anything but!

No easy games in Ulster but Jesus if we aren't beating that Down team we're wasting our time.

Interesting viewpoint from Armagh side of the Fence..... off course we are on track to clash in ulster semi final.

Only going off what I say last year in Clones, Down looked miles off it. Presume they've improved thisbyesr though.

[APM]

Of course they've improved. I know your opinion of them isn't based on last year alone, but they are on an upward trajectory and with Laverty into his second year there is more to come. There is no big fuss about them either so they are nicely positioned. They have been quite commanding in getting out of Division 3 and I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the mix for promotion next year - they would easily be a match for any of the Division 2 teams that weren't promoted.  Armagh would be a step up for them if they both make the Ulster Semi (which they should), but Down will have revenge on their minds + the extra motivation to stay in the Sam Maguire. Write them off at your peril!