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The fixtures are out, and the league starts on the 23rd as previously planned. No call for all this negative nonsense based on some sort of rumour.

There had been a date of 23rd July initially given for the start of club leagues. Does this later date apply to all 4 divisions? And has it been confirmed?

[manwithnoplan]

[quote author=manwithnoplan link=topic=25.msg2051096#msg2051096 date=1621096135]
Beat by a team that played an All Ireland final six months ago, a very good side, on their own patch. Not sure what some people were expecting, but plenty of knee jerk reactions to be found after the first competitive game of the season.

manwithnoplan welcome on board Paddy 
[/quote]

What were your realistic expectations for today? Reading many of your posts, you either don't see Down football realistically, or you are just very negative. It's been 27 years since Down won Ulster, many managers have failed. Do you not think that the problem maybe doesn't lie with the current senior management? Like club football, there are varying levels to each team. Currently Down are not near the top half. As others mentioned, the physicality isn't there. This is vital in football now. Can't just go out and grow some 6ft 3 lads who can play football.

Beat by a team that played an All Ireland final six months ago, a very good side, on their own patch. Not sure what some people were expecting, but plenty of knee jerk reactions to be found after the first competitive game of the season.

https://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/316169

A little bit of good news with a return to the pitch on the horizon, hopefully players have been looking after themselves and the club coaches take care in how they plan this return. It's one thing going running over the last few months, another thing altogether to be out on the field twisting, turning and playing ball.

It leaves around 7 weeks before the planned start of the ACFL so hopefully plenty of time for players to get up to speed and hit the ground running and provide us with some positive football action to talk about.

And more importantly the young players have something to enjoy after what has been an immensely challenging year for them with school closures, kid's entertainment facilities closed and sport put on hold. Let's hope once we return, we can finally look forward from all of this!

Thanks for that mature and insightful reply. Apologies, I had only seen a list of names of the management team at that stage and not the article naming Cunningham the manager.

Quite a large minor management team, hopefully that brings plenty of ideas and knowledge of the available players to the table. However I'd hope it wouldn't mean a clash in terms of ideas/playing styles etc. Is there an indication on who would have the ultimate say on these things or who has the "lead role" as such? Hopefully see an upturn in fortunes and wish the management and team the best for whenever they can get back at it.

https://www.hoganstand.com/Down/Article/Index/315603

Interesting perspective from a man working as a doctor during the pandemic.

The level of personal attacks on coaches and officials, subtle
and not so subtle accusations of rule breaking, and snipes at other clubs on this message board is beyond embarrassing now. It would be great to share opinions and positive news about GAA but I suppose this whole pandemic has brought out the worst in people, especially on social media and online forums. Quit moaning about who was training and where, if anyone here can show that a group of young men out exercising directly contributed to losses of life then please share. If not, quiet down and let the young lads at it. They need it more than ever right now. In the coming years when participation levels hit rock bottom and mental health issues peak, feel free to stand by your snipey comments if you are comfortable with the current devastation of sport and mental health which has no strong evidential basis.

What a disgusting message. Lots of us abiding by the rules so we can get out of this pandemic as soon as possible for good this time. And you come put with a stupid comment like that. If the down u20 are training then shame on the county board for allowing it to happen at this time and shame on this much touted management for carrying it out..  I have no problem with lads getting programmes and carrying out such in a safe and responsible manner but collective training should not be happening in any capacity. Kilcoo lads posting on social media showing them training in 3/4's is another joke. All from different households and in contact training - they must be immune to this virus over there..

"Stupid" indeed. Another personal attack. You crack on with how you want to live your life but feel free not to upset yourself with how others are living while they do you no harm at all. I stand by everything I said, I put huge value on the physical and mental wellbeing of people and especially young people. I truly hope the devastating effects of these lockdowns don't impact you and yours in the near future, as they have done to so many already.

The level of personal attacks on coaches and officials, subtle
and not so subtle accusations of rule breaking, and snipes at other clubs on this message board is beyond embarrassing now. It would be great to share opinions and positive news about GAA but I suppose this whole pandemic has brought out the worst in people, especially on social media and online forums. Quit moaning about who was training and where, if anyone here can show that a group of young men out exercising directly contributed to losses of life then please share. If not, quiet down and let the young lads at it. They need it more than ever right now. In the coming years when participation levels hit rock bottom and mental health issues peak, feel free to stand by your snipey comments if you are comfortable with the current devastation of sport and mental health which has no strong evidential basis.

[The despicable behaviours of teams from Kilcoo area and Downpatrick area beggars belief.]

Wobbler absolutely very fair points and well put .In ways you temper my anger but in another way using my own moral compass I feel if you are in a position of leadership you should always do what your organisation professes.
I feel when I look as a newbie to Down GAA I see it as a kinda who you know, what money you bring to the party etc and if you were part of a successful team in the past or your dad was a player kinda of organisation. Even what school you went to Abbey or College gives you an advantage. Knowing and perceiving that I feel Down GAA never stick to principles and this is in my book an example. When you look over recent years the behaviour of some of the clubs and what they get away with it is unreal , sadly mostly from East Down.
The despicable behaviours of teams from Kilcoo area and Downpatrick area beggars belief.
In that context I want Down GAA to turn a new leaf and lead with integrity.

Care to elaborate on these insinuations? When you say "Kilcoo area and Downpatrick area" are you exclusively talking about Kilcoo GAC and RGU? Or do you mean Clonduff, Drumgath, Castlewellan, Liatroim, Ardglass, Bright, Teconnaught, Kilclief also? Are the south Down clubs all angels then?

Serious amount of people try so hard to be offended and outraged these days. They are adults, they assessed their own risks and made a choice. The same way we all should in life. Virtue signaling is the latest trend I suppose. Laws broken? No. 'Guidance' not strictly adhered to? Yes. Let's all move on.

As an aside, any players keen to leak things to their mates or others maybe aren't of the right mentality to complete/contribute in a high level team environment. And as mentioned, they are adults so if they didn't agree with whatever was planned, they can speak up and make their own choice.

Any confirmed instances of this virus having an impact on any club preparations? As in training or friendly matches cancellations?

SB would Div 4 start on the 3rd April too then?