Down Club Hurling & Football

[bigarsedkeeper]

I take it the rule is just at senior level? Probably comes from so many teams not fielding at the end of last year. There was a lot in Div 2 anyway. They can't have a stage where a lot of teams have 4 or 5 dud fixtures at the end of the year to field in. If a team is out of the championship and safe in the league (can't go up or down) it's very hard to motivate lads to play in October and November. Maybe only apply the rule for a second offence for teams with a genuine numbers issue. There has to be less rearranging of fixtures for county weekends away and stuff like that. Less games in the league overall would help.

[Lecale Gael]

A disgraceful rule to deduct points. Proposed by a member from a big club and voted for by big clubs and basically designed to give league winners their day in the sun to collect their trophy.

This will have grave repercussions for div 3/4 clubs working with a limited panel and another indication of where suits are ruining what is a volunteer sport.

[John Martin]

Surely a better solution would be to get the leagues wrapped up before the championship starts like they do in Armagh.

[Mike Tyson]

Surely a better solution would be to get the leagues wrapped up before the championship starts like they do in Armagh.

Would seem a sensible solution.

[thewobbler]

Surely a better solution would be to get the leagues wrapped up before the championship starts like they do in Armagh.

This has only become an issue in Down football since the back door was introduced, as it means championship basically knocks any chance of a league programme to the side for 4-5 week. And so it's hard to blame anyone for not giving a damn when the leagues restart.

So it would appear to be the obvious step to take.

Problem is, there are more than a few clubs who will outright refuse to honour tail end or play off fixtures without their county men.... and a super 8 campaign would basically make it impossible to finish leagues by end of August. 

[Ed Hardy]

Terrible rule, what about the clubs that  are surviving with a panel of 17 or 18 players, a brave lot in Div 4 are.

So your solution is to make it okay cancel fixtures?

Where did I say that? But have a bit of common sense, there is atleast 3/4 clubs in Div 4 that survive on 17 or 18 each match day, that rule would simply wipe out these clubs all together. Its total different for clubs with bigger panel of players.

[Ed Hardy]

A disgraceful rule to deduct points. Proposed by a member from a big club and voted for by big clubs and basically designed to give league winners their day in the sun to collect their trophy.

This will have grave repercussions for div 3/4 clubs working with a limited panel and another indication of where suits are ruining what is a volunteer sport.

Couldn't agree more.

[downjim]

I am sure the ccc can rule each case differently. There's a difference in a the likes of Ballykinlar versus the likes of Ballyholland who refused to travel to Castlewellan on the final game of the league.

[supersub]

Just right, non fielding shouldn't be happening at any level. If you foresee you cannot fulfill your league fixture calendar do not enter a team.

Wrapping up the league before Championship is also a very viable alternative.

[Lecale Gael]

Just right, non fielding shouldn't be happening at any level. If you foresee you cannot fulfill your league fixture calendar do not enter a team.

Wrapping up the league before Championship is also a very viable alternative.

hark at mystic meg here 

[6th sam]

Just right, non fielding shouldn't be happening at any level. If you foresee you cannot fulfill your league fixture calendar do not enter a team.

Wrapping up the league before Championship is also a very viable alternative.

Many teams at all levels have difficulty in fielding, for a variety of reasons, often laziness/couldn't  be bothered. The difficulty is that a dnf or a dummy team going through the motions, can effectively penalise teams in other fixtures. This new rule promotes all games being played , which can only be a good thing

[Lecale Gael]

you will prob see players wearing jeans like dromintee v cross just to field 

[thewobbler]

Hopefully we will mostly see a change of approach from clubs in their willingness to fulfil fixtures earlier in the season, instead of looking for tactical postponements.

[supersub]

Just right, non fielding shouldn't be happening at any level. If you foresee you cannot fulfill your league fixture calendar do not enter a team.

Wrapping up the league before Championship is also a very viable alternative.

hark at mystic meg here 

Nothing mystic about it if people are saying on here they won't be able to fulfill fixtures at the end of the season before a ball is kicked!!!!!!

Examples as below:

A disgraceful rule to deduct points. Proposed by a member from a big club and voted for by big clubs and basically designed to give league winners their day in the sun to collect their trophy.

This will have grave repercussions for div 3/4 clubs working with a limited panel and another indication of where suits are ruining what is a volunteer sport.

Couldn't agree more.

Terrible rule, what about the clubs that  are surviving with a panel of 17 or 18 players, a brave lot in Div 4 are.

So your solution is to make it okay cancel fixtures?

Where did I say that? But have a bit of common sense, there is atleast 3/4 clubs in Div 4 that survive on 17 or 18 each match day, that rule would simply wipe out these clubs all together. Its total different for clubs with bigger panel of players.

[Square Ball]

A one size fits all approach to not fulfilling fixtures is doomed to all sorts of appeals. No club sets out not to play them all, shit happens. With the best will in the world you may have 18 fellas who say they will play, but come meeting time 5 cant make it for one reason or another, sick, injured, family problems...... should clubs be penalised for this?