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On Saturday I was talking to an Armagh Minor's coach, He said "Down could win if they keep their discipline but they probably won't. Down are well known for losing discipline under-pressure. All county managers know that and look to exploit it. It was something that was talked about before the game last year (Armagh first-round)"......

Agree with all of this, we were like an under 12 team in the last 20 mins with every player running after the ball, hard to watch.  We lack on field leaders other than Ambrose who can see these things happening.

I also agree with most of this but if this occurs then surely it is the managements fault? how can they not control the palyers on the pitch. Jim McGuinness doesnt have an issue with his players not following his methods. Where would defeat on saturday leave this management team? i would assume it would be the end.

Snoopdog, firstly lets not talk about defeat on Saturday. Let's talk about beating a third division side who have only had to beat Offaly, Wexford and Antrim to get here.

As for the management controlling the players. The management can plan and prepare the players. They can tell them exactly what they want them to do. They can give the clearest instructions in the world. But the management are not out on the pitch. What is your theory exactly how CAN they control the players once they are on the pitch - that is precisely the one time they are not in control. After all the preparation is done it is up to the players to be disciplined enough to stick to the game plan. You ask why McGuinness has not got this problem, the answer is because of the players. They have chosen to keep their discipline and to stick to the plan. They stick to it even when things are looking bad. It is down to the players only.

You could see on Sunday the management had clearly sent the team out with instructions and had prepared a system to play the game. For the first half it worked excellently. But in the second half the team went ragged. You can hardly say anyone told them to do that? They did not need Rooney, Garvey or even Hughes, the players lined out were good enough as shown for the first half. Team selection is a minor issue for us. The major issue is having 15 players on the field who collectively agree to play to one system, who concentrate for 70 minutes, and who work together to follow the instructions given to them. Otherwise you could bring back Marty, Caolan, McComiskey, or whoever you like and we would still lose.

i suppose what i am trying to say is if the team is given a system and a plan by the management team then surely a disciplined team will stick to that system??

I will be in Mullingar on saturday to cheer on Down and yes wee James management team has got Down back to better days, i suppose 2010 showed us what could be achieved but they havent got near that standard since, obvioulsy we havent had that full 15 on a pitch since but these heavy defeats to Cork 4 times since the All Ireland final now Donegal, how can they not have learned from that?

i remember back in 91 after Down played Armagh on a wet miserable day in newry, not sure who the pundit was on the sunday game but he said it didnt matter who won that game they wouldnt be contenders for an All Ireland

On Saturday I was talking to an Armagh Minor's coach, He said "Down could win if they keep their discipline but they probably won't. Down are well known for losing discipline under-pressure. All county managers know that and look to exploit it. It was something that was talked about before the game last year (Armagh first-round)"

Yes I agree there were some panic substitutions on Sunday and the sideline choices did not help. But I really think the management can not be blamed. They clearly sent the team out with a plan which was to hold Donegal, Prevent attacks and space. In possession there was two tactics. If it is turnover ball inside our 45 then the strategy was to hit fast ball to Coulter and Laverty. If it was break ball around midfield then the strategy was to run at the Donegal defence laying the ball off before the challenge to gain territory. To push Donegal right back and to create a line of red around the scoring zone.

This worked well in the first half and if we had stuck to it then it would have kept us in the game right to the end. But the team went ragged. When the second goal went in and Donegal had their tails up Down should have put 13 men behind the ball, filled the space and totally prevented scores. We would certainly have got turn overs and some of these would have created chances to claw back the deficit. Instead we went ragged with everyone (McKernan in particular) running anywhere and leaving gaps all over the place. Suddenly everyone wanted to attack and just like Cork last year we left gaping holes to be exploited and allowed the opposition to humiliate us

Agree with all of this, we were like an under 12 team in the last 20 mins with every player running after the ball, hard to watch.  We lack on field leaders other than Ambrose who can see these things happening.

I also agree with most of this but if this occurs then surely it is the managements fault? how can they not control the palyers on the pitch. Jim McGuinness doesnt have an issue with his players not following his methods. Where would defeat on saturday leave this management team? i would assume it would be the end.

Dundrum beat Aghaderg tonight in Ballyvarley to secure promotion to the new Division 2 for the 2013 season with 4 games to play.

Did they win well?
I assume McCommiskey was the star of the show again?
how down could have done with a player of his ability yesterday. I dont know what McCartan was playing at with him.

I Believe the AI Hurling quarter final between Down and Clare is on before the Tipp Down game.
These young lads need the support so hopefully as many Down people as possible will aim to go for both. I know i will. might be the only Quarter Final we get to all year.

donegal fans were at it Yesterday in Clones.
Kildare fans against Down in AI SF 2 years ago. Some Down fans followed suit.

It tends to be in big games where you have guys who are hopping on the bandwagon and going for the day out and the beer as opposed to the football.
The majority of reall GAA fans dont do it.

Congrats to Donegal, you were far and away a better team that Down.
Id love to know what exactly Aidan O'Rourke is getting paid to do with that Down Defence, he has watched Cork run through them twice already this year along with Monaghan in the first half of the Semi but yet he could nt organise them.
Also what was McCartan at with Danny Hughes holding him by the scruff before he went on.
I dont think this management team can bring this group of players any further.
down need a fresh approach soon beofre its too late. no doubt we do have some great players but we have some very average ones also, mix that with what seems no game plan at all and you end up with yesterdays result.
Also where is the killer instinct gone in front of goal? those chances in the first half were as good as you could get but both were put over the bar?

Down can have no excuses if the get beat by tipperary, and neither can McCartan.
6 day turn around my a.rse, are the management team dillusional to the chance that we may face a qualifier? If they hadnt prepared for that already then the door is the only option.

ah sure if we get beat we get beat. We will probably still get to a QF. How are Armagh getting on? Long summer eh waiting on your neighbours to get beat

Are there any serious attempts at signing a recognised striker, looks like we are stuck with another season of Danny Wellbeck!

Wellbeck is stalling on a new contract, hopefully he wont get a renewed offer. Seriously over rated footballer. as for the guy Fryers, seen him a few times nothing special.
We would be better of with Berbs that wellbeck imo

the season tickets are out for the ulster final. I see they are putting us in the Pat McGrane stand this year and not the Gerry Arthur Stand

Have you also noticed that they have charged you €27 to sit in the Pat McGrane stand even though the official price is €25 for PMcG and €27 for Gerry Arthurs?

So we are getting rewared for our loyalty in buying season tickets by getting put in an uncovered stand and being made pay more than anyone beside us.

I've emailed the GAA and will call tickets.ie tomorrow.

not surprised they have moved the season ticket holders from the gerry arthur stand as they are clueless like that. what i am surprised at is that they have put yous in the pat mcgrane stand instead of the seating behind the far goal which is practically empty at all the games. wonder how the ticket sales are going for this 1 expect close to a full house i have my tickets for the oduffy terrace anyway

i used my opt out for the ulster final and got a ticket for the hill terrace £12/E15, im not paying nearly double the price especially when you have a better view from the hill

i would say it has to be Saturday evening as Tyrone minors are playing monaghan in the Ulster final in clones on Sunday at 12.
Saturday 5 pm sounds about right id say.

will ye's be back in time for the minors in Clones, 12pm throw in Sunday.
Best of Luck Tyrone.

yes we can have no excuses if we dont get to an All Ireland QF, I dont think we will need the qualifier route. We can beat doengal on Sunday.

pulling out of the panel 4 days before the Connacht final. Would you not just stay for a Connacht medal, would probably have got some game time.
He will regret it if Mayo win

guys anyone know where abouts in the phoenix park the Stone roses are playing. what entrance to use?