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POR away to Carryduff apparently

McCorry didn't bring anything to the Burren table this year
In the biggest of big games it was the same old from Burren
Why not try something different
Is that not why these big managers are brought in

Expect Jim McG and Stephen Poacher to be named doll as the Down management as soon as tomorrow if word is right. Fully founded by our sponsors

Am not sure exactly what McCorry could have done.  He finished with a better team than he started with Toner, Trainor and McArdle all making an impact.  These guys were obviously not fit to start otherwise they would have.  Add to this the the obvious miss of Kerr and Foy and that is a 3rd of a starting team.  Lotto may also be forgetting that Murdock is 18 years of old along with a couple of the other lads so they have time on their side and their day will come.

Congratulations to Kilcoo, Ryan Johnston is a joy to watch in full flow and hopefully him and his brothers will be back for Down next year and we arent good enough not to have these boys around.

Burren were poor last night.  Sloppy was probably the right word to describe them.  If they got one of Clonduff, Warrenpoint or Mayobridge in the QF they could be caught cold give the lack of opposition they have faced to date.

Kilcoo still the team.

 

Personally, I’d be worried about the mental state of any man who really wants to win D1 this year.

In fact I’d be worried about it most years. League titles don’t matter a damn unless there’s promotion attached to it. But especially this year, D1 really doesn’t matter a damn. It’s a high standard of friendly match, nothing else.

This is exactly the point this year.  You just have to look at the strange look of the league table and the fact that no one team is dominant and teams are getting beat by teams that wouldn't usually be beat by.  Sure CPN or Clonduff may be pushing for a league but I really don't think Mickey Moran or Jim McCorry give one fiddlers f**k about the league.

I may be wrong but I will be surprised if its not the usual suspects in the championship final unless they meet each other prior to it.

Would back up what I am saying

And the bookies usually aren't far wrong 

They will be motoring come September.  Don't think they will lose much sleep over losing a league game here or there.

Devlin is a miss but they have plenty of strength in depth that other teams could only dream of.

Kilcoo




Burren / CPN


Clonduff / Carryduff / Mayobridge

The rest

I certainly believe Clonduff could beat Burren or Burren could get caught by one of the other teams you mentioned but other than CPN or Burren I haven't seen any evidence that the teams you mentioned have the quality to beat Kilcoo in championship semi final or final.

The back door systems also provides the "better" teams with a second chance if they have an off day.

[Kilcoo, Burren, CPN, Clonduff, Bridge and possibly Ballyholand and Carryduff could win a Down senior football championship this year]

Was up watching Kilcoo CPN game last night. Have to say, lots of missed chances from both teams and they'll both probably be happy enough with the result tbf. Kilcoo will have bigger fish to fry than a league game at the start of the year, they haven't traditionally started the league that strongly...they'll hit their stride in about 3/4weeks I'd imagine.

Was very impressed with our lads though tbf, both teams missing a good few players that will make a big impact if fit and available later in the year. Kilcoo being kept to one point in the second half was not like them at all and they badly lost their discipline near the end with one Brannigan being black carded and the other sent off for a kick. Magpies didn't get out of 2nd or 3rd gear but neither did Warrenpoint. Good start to the league for our lads, very tough few fixtures coming up though against Burren, Yellas and Bridge.

Clonduff seem to be flying and Harps ticking along OK too, Rostrevor got a fair pasting last night at home which was surprising, anyone at the game? Also Loughinisland getting it very tight atm, are they missing many men? Know Flynn wrecked himself but surely they should still be competitive enough with the talent at their disposal?

Mayobridge getting pipped by Burren at the death which seems to be an annual occurence now, whether it's a last minute goal or point-they never seem to be able to see it over the line. What was the report from that game?

Could this be the year that Clonduff finally clicks, I always think on paper they have a great squad but always seem to shit the nest at big stages. They are crying out for a good defense and goalie.  I am so looking forward to our championships, I think we will be in for a treat and although Kilcoo will be favourites I think there will be 6/7 teams that will fancy their chances on any given day provided they get a favourable run.

Kilcoo, Burren, CPN, Clonduff, Bridge and possibly Ballyholand and Carryduff could win a Down senior football championship this year

No they couldn't, what are you basing this on, a couple of glorified friendlies ?

Kilcoo and at a push Burren or CPN might.

Did you hear the UUP leader on Nolan the other day ?  By some distance the worst leader in north by some distance which is saying something.

What is the point having Georgia in the tournament?  They might beat Italy 6 out of 10 but will provide little resistance to the other nations similar to Italy.

South Africa will improve the other nations and bring the six nations to another level similar to what it should do for the pro 14.  The pro 14 is basically the Irish inter pros at the minute given the lack of quality in the Welsh and Scottish clubs.

I think it's fair to say that taking Italy out of the equation it's been a brilliant tournament.

Imagine a tournament with S Africa replacing Italy.

When did he pick Carbery ahead of Jackson ?

Jackson was part of the team that won in South Africa for the first time.  Carbery reminds me of Madigan.  As for the saviour that is Harry Byrne, he can't even get on ahead of his brother ffs which says enough.

It's irrelevant anyway as Jackson won't be picked by Ireland again and I don't think he would play even if he was picked.  That doesn't take away from the fact that as of this moment he is the currently the best Irish out half there is including Sexton.

And yet he is still on the bench.

If ever the likes of Shane Daly was going to get game time it would 20 mins away to Italy.  Why not start Casey with the reassurance of having Sexton beside him and if things are going right then bring Park on.  Cooney must have looked at Farrell the wrong way as he is easily the best scrum half in Ireland at the minute.

What did Ruddock do wrong the last day that warranted being dropped completely from the squad ?  On the other hand how many tries does Lowe have to cause for him to get dropped from the squad ?