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There is a huge population base for St Paul's to exploit. Demographically they've a big take but this probably isn't consolidated by the cultural makeup of the area. Newtownards has St Finian's P.S. and Loughries IPS with St Mary's P.S. nearby in Comber. There is St Malachy's P.S. in Bangor along with St Comgall's P.S. in the same town. Glencraig IPS and St Patrick's P.S. are in Holywood with St Anne's P.S. in Donaghadee. There are eight primary schools alone that they could be drawing from.

Have always believed that an urban taskforce for want of a better term should be created in Down. We have most of South and East Belfast plus that whole metropolitan area of North Down. Then large towns like Newcastle, Downpatrick and Banbridge along with the 'city' of Newry. We really should be maximising our potential in all of our urban areas.

Down brought in a hybrid type Go Games at U-13 level in 2022. Had mixed feelings on it.

Reserve football is on the wane. Just look at how many games didn't take place in 2022 due to non-fielding of teams in the All County Reserve Leagues. It was wild. It is essentially now opt-in/opt-out, happy go lucky, i'll see how I feel at 5pm on a Sunday evening sort of format these days. There's a serious apathy to it. I've been playing Reserve football for over 20 years and I've never seen such a 'take it or leave it' attitude to it as there is now.

[There is talk too that these reserve sides wouldn't be allowed to enter the JFC. Why would this be? Surely they deserve the opportunity of promotion and silverware like anyone else.]

During the early part of the 80's, reserve teams were involved in the Down ACFL structure when there were five divisions. Similarly, reserve teams were permitted entry into the JFC in the early 90's.

If CCC put in proper rules and criteria within by-law in relation to eligibility criteria for these reserve teams then would we not be seeing teams lining out more akin to a thirds' team?

Surely, the clubs that enter reserve teams into Div 4/Div5 will need to name a Top 13/23 that initially excludes players unable to play reserve football. Similarly, you would imagine that 'team hopping' wouldn't be allowed as in if a player outside of the say the Top 23 plays a senior game then that automatically rules them out of playing for the reserve team and vice versa.

Down CCC will surely need to seriously consider the player eligibility factor if integrating reserve teams into the ACFL is to be done right and have purpose. There is talk too that these reserve sides wouldn't be allowed to enter the JFC. Why would this be? Surely they deserve the opportunity of promotion and silverware like anyone else.

In fairness this isn't a Down CB stipulation, that's a Croke Park stipulation and once again is currently in place for the hurling also.
None of the senior teams in Down hurling who have reserve teams in the leagues can enter the intermediate or junior championships but enter into the separate Betsy Gray Cups and shields. There'd need to be different competitions to facilitate these reserve teams in championship football

Not in all cases. Portlaoise reserves won this year's Laois JFC. They defeated Barrowhouse in the final. Barrowhouse went on to represent Laois in the Leinster JFC.

During the early part of the 80's, reserve teams were involved in the Down ACFL structure when there were five divisions. Similarly, reserve teams were permitted entry into the JFC in the early 90's.

If CCC put in proper rules and criteria within by-law in relation to eligibility criteria for these reserve teams then would we not be seeing teams lining out more akin to a thirds' team?

Surely, the clubs that enter reserve teams into Div 4/Div5 will need to name a Top 13/23 that initially excludes players unable to play reserve football. Similarly, you would imagine that 'team hopping' wouldn't be allowed as in if a player outside of the say the Top 23 plays a senior game then that automatically rules them out of playing for the reserve team and vice versa.

Down CCC will surely need to seriously consider the player eligibility factor if integrating reserve teams into the ACFL is to be done right and have purpose. There is talk too that these reserve sides wouldn't be allowed to enter the JFC. Why would this be? Surely they deserve the opportunity of promotion and silverware like anyone else.

Where is Down hurling in the grand scheme of things in relation Ulster Club SHC?

Just watched the other semi and Drumlane look like a right decent team. Newtownbutler are no mugs and they were hammered.

Drumlane had beat Arva in the Cavan JFC. Arva were heavily tipped. Them and Stewartstown could be a very tight game.

Always wondered. Why on earth has Harry Kane never been their prime target?

The opening game of the 94 tournament - Germany v Bolivia. Marco Etcheverry getting a red card.

They put in a very strong performance in the county final against Dromara, with Paddy Grant kicking 11 points. They'd have a decent championship pedigree in the county at this level.
But Down are notoriously out of their depth when we hit the Ulster JFC series.
Stewartstown would probably be more akin to a strong IFC team in Down.

Galbally and Corduff be two of the favourites for the Intermediate.

In terms of the Ulster JFC since its inception in 2001, there have been 20 runs of it. Cavan have had 2 wins, Monaghan 9, Tyrone 6, Armagh 1 and Donegal 2. Down are the only county in Ulster to never reach a JFC final.

The Ulster Intermediate began in 1998 and has had 23 runs. Down have 3 wins, Tyrone 7, Derry 4, Donegal 2, Monaghan 4, Cavan 1, Antrim 1 and Fermanagh 1. Armagh are the only county in Ulster to not win an IFC but they have made 5 finals.

Looking at both competitions combined, it's very obvious that the strength in these two grades lies in Tyrone and Monaghan.

Monaghan - 13
Tyrone - 13
Derry - 4
Donegal - 4
Cavan - 3
Down - 3
Fermanagh - 1
Antrim - 1
Armagh - 1

Derrynoose Junior winners in Armagh. I reckon they'll give a good account of themselves in Ulster if they take it seriously.

Shane O'Neills vs St Pauls this weekend, Shanes huge favourites and with 3 county men of serious ability and plenty more handy players they could go well in Ulster.

Armagh clubs are notoriously shite at provincial level and I am pretty sure Letterkenny are Division 2 in Donegal, Derrynoose will have their work cut out. Likewise Shane O'Neill's, that's if they even get over St. Paul's who are well capable of causing an upset. Whoever wins that gets the Monaghan champs. Again no pushover.

Down clubs have a woeful record at Ulster JFC level. I actually think that only two clubs have actually won a game in it, St John's in 2008 and Glasdrumman in 2015. Bar maybe Antrim, we may have the worst record in the province at this grade.

[Ulster JFCPreliminary Round - 30/10/22]

Ulster JFC

Preliminary Round - 30/10/22

Drumlane (Cavan) v Craigbane (Derry)

Quarter Finals - 6/11/22

Derrynoose (Armagh) v Letterkenny Gaels/Carndonagh (Donegal)
Dromara/Teconnaught (Down) v Aghaloo/Stewartstown (Tyrone)
Aghadrumsee/Newtownbutler (Fermanagh) v Pearses (Antrim)
(Cavan/Derry) v Killanny/Clones (Monaghan)


Ulster IFC

Preliminary Round (6/11/22)

St Paul's/Shane O'Neill's (Armagh) v Corduff/Magheracloone (Monaghan)

Quarter Finals (13/11/22)

Dunloy (Antrim) v Dungloe (Donegal)
Glenullin/Drumsurn (Derry) v Galbally/Edendork (Tyrone)
Devenish/Tempo (Fermanagh) v Castlerahan (Cavan)
(Armagh/Monaghan) v Rostrevor/Saval (Down)

When you stand back and assess it, Intermediate and Junior provincial and All Ireland competitions aren't really fit for purpose. There are too many variations in each county in terms of how their structure and gradings operate. Senior is more authentic as it is the best teams in each county playing in each SFC and the cream of the crop emerges from that to play in their province and beyond.