Messages

I am not big into hurling but love Splash's posts. Very informative and no resorting to abusing anyone.
Great to see the hurlers making the league semi finals. Let's have an update on yesterday's game Splash and keep up the good work.

Splash has certainly been a welcome addition to the Down forum. I enjoy the coverage of the ihc and jhc during the summer, games you would generally hear little about. It's encouraging to hear of progress at underage particularly at clubs like Castlewellan and CPN, where you would associate them more as football clubs.

Appreciate it. Just trying to keep as much hurling discussion going as possible. We all want the best for Down, Sandstorm,  no call to resort to bickering or insulting anyone, and glad you find the talk about the junior and intermediate interesting,  Ardtole.

Glad yous are enjoying the bit of hurling discussion going on, lately.

Anyway, a great day out for the hurlers on Saturday. A 9 point win on such a miserable day. Not bad at all.

Daithí Sands was unreal, scoring 3-3 from play.

That relegates Meath and sends us into a league semi final. 70 minutes away from being back in Division One. Will now face Laois next week, in Laois.

Will be a very tough game. Down gave Laois a scare in the first round, and they'll not be expecting an easy game, and Laois will feel as though they're well fit to compete with Antrim, Westmeath, and Offaly next year. But Down have been going very good this season. Undefeated at home, and biggest loss was only 7 points after a late goal and some last minute frees by Laois in the first round.

Couple injuries and Eoghan Sands likely to miss the game after getting sent off the other day, but there's a good depth to this Down squad, so let's be hopeful.

Would be great to see Down in the Division One, and they've shown they're well fit to compete with the likes of Antrim, Westmeath, Offaly, etc.

Let's hope the momentum keeps going until Saturday.
 

how did they decide that Down have to play their semi final against Laois in Portlaoise? Seen the division 1 semi finals are at neutral venues.

Home venue due to them finishing 2nd in the league and Down finishing 3rd.

One semi-final with the winner going on to meet Carlow in what should be a neutral venue.

With Eoghan Sands I'd fancy our chances against Laois, but he's going to be a big loss if the appeal isn't successful. Eoghan is having a stormer of a year for club and county.
John McManus hopes to be back from his hamstring injury and he'd his best game in a long time down there, he's living in our cryospa at the minute, very driven lad is John.

some turnaround jonny. Ronan and his team have done a great job. Laois may be a step too far again but what a turnaround from some of the defeats last year. Setting up an interesting Joe McDonagh!!

Its probably been asked before on this but what would be the best type of road bike to purchase for very hilly area?? Gear wise, chain wise etc?? Cheers

Cant really blame a coach who goes to a different county, if their skills are best at senior level there's only so many jobs about. Although I'm sure you could argue plenty of jobs/help required in their own clubs.

I've always supported Down sides when they've played in Ulster. Sad to see.

Yes would def support the down hurley and football clubs in Ulster, we need could do with a bit more success like Kilcoo. Can understand though rival clubs not wanting to support each other. Still got the Ports in the Hurley and Liatriom in the Footy so fingers crossed.

You're right about Swatragh 

Ulster Championship probably needs some modifying and clarification of who is of junior standard. Swatragh and St Eunan's are not the same standard as Kilclief, Omagh, or Killeavy.

But c'est la vie.

Kilclief seem to punch above their weight to be honest. Fair play to yous.

Wouldn't blame any man for doing what he wants to do. More to life than hurling and football at the end of the day.

I'd imagine success around a club would keep young fellas interested. Far less likely to stick around if lads feel they're just going to get beat.

Good to hear there's good work going on in Kiclief.

Credit to clubs like Kilclief and Aghaderg/Ballyvarley. Small, rural clubs, with small catchment areas and relatively low numbers, but continue to field in both codes.

Would have to agree Splash, Derry Hurling are in a weird spot in that they dont have enough clubs to spread over the 3 different levels of championship. Na Magha are probably the only real Junior side in Derry, its always a level enough game when they are representing them in Ulster. Swatragh would probably give the Down Intermediate a brave rattle.
Maybe Derry should just represent in Intermediate and Senior level.

All the best to the Ports, Bredagh and Kilclief going into Ulster, always creates a great buzz in a club, so hopefully some Ulster silverware awaits.

Liatroim have every right to feel aggrieved in the way that they were disrespected by the County Board and the media pundits who had them written off before the match. The CB appointed an outside referee for the other semi final thinking that it would be the tougher of the two semis. But was it? In the interests of the integrity of the competition that Ardstick is so worried about both semis should have had outside referees appointed. It also raises the question are there no other referees in Down capable of officiating at this level that don't have skin in the game? If not why not? Ask any Ballycran person involved with the team did they welcome yesterdays refereeing appointment, I think the number that did you could fit them all into a phone box! The Ards teams are not whiter than white in regards to transfers and outsiders playing for them and should be playing for their "own" club - McAllister, Sheehan & Prenter. You could make a case for Prenter all right with RGU not having a hurling team. So how do some of the Ballycran players feel about the two outsiders taking their positions, you can't just pin that scenario on just happening in Liatroim, it is not unique to there. I sense a bit of fear in the Ards that there is a threat to their dominance of the SHC so is it a case of wanting those players to return to where they come from and so dilute the threat. As JC has pointed out on many occasions there will be no underage trophy residing in the Ards for another year but I have no doubt that will change sometime soon. 

Those Cran players live and are settled in the area, so that's a weak argument. Would love to know the address of the Murphy's in Liatroim and does McCusker not live beside Ballela pitch.

Look all I'm saying is instead of seeking glory hunters we need to keep working on developing players within our clubs instead of looking for a quick fix solution to winning. Taking players away to the detriment of their own clubs Lagos a real lack of class and morals.

With regards the reffing I'm sure if you talked to Ballycran supporters they would tell you all the frees that were missed for them, that's the nature of the game, ref will make mistakes just like the players on the field.

Might also be an idea to cut the Senior Championship to 5 teams, play each other once, top goes into final 2v3 in semi just to keep the quality and standard higher but that's for another day.

Good luck to Liatroim in their finals a win against Rostrevor would be an almighty victory for the parish.

Really newbie ?  bit of back tracking here

Let's have the discussion surely Oldie, however there's a massive different between a legitimate transfer and a self serving transfer. Surely your not suggesting Sheenan should still be taking a 90 mile round trip to play for Shamrocks. Fair play to him for staying with them up to last year.

How did the Murphy's ever get a transfer?? Because their dad manages them??

CB need to have a watertight system to stop clubs exploiting the system. Otherwise let's just have open season and let clubs pick and chose who gets to play for them.

this oldie thinks there's a lot of bitterness there newbie?? - sad to see. welcome to down discussion and hopefully future posts will be positive - should there be anymore 

I notice you can't challenge any of the arguments there, which is fair enough as I take it you probably agree which is great to see, the more common sense about the better I think it's pretty positive just wanting clubs competing on a level playing (Hurley)field. Looking forward to the final and hopefully the County winners can do us proud in Ulster. We are long overdue a good performance at that stage.

Liatroim have every right to feel aggrieved in the way that they were disrespected by the County Board and the media pundits who had them written off before the match. The CB appointed an outside referee for the other semi final thinking that it would be the tougher of the two semis. But was it? In the interests of the integrity of the competition that Ardstick is so worried about both semis should have had outside referees appointed. It also raises the question are there no other referees in Down capable of officiating at this level that don't have skin in the game? If not why not? Ask any Ballycran person involved with the team did they welcome yesterdays refereeing appointment, I think the number that did you could fit them all into a phone box! The Ards teams are not whiter than white in regards to transfers and outsiders playing for them and should be playing for their "own" club - McAllister, Sheehan & Prenter. You could make a case for Prenter all right with RGU not having a hurling team. So how do some of the Ballycran players feel about the two outsiders taking their positions, you can't just pin that scenario on just happening in Liatroim, it is not unique to there. I sense a bit of fear in the Ards that there is a threat to their dominance of the SHC so is it a case of wanting those players to return to where they come from and so dilute the threat. As JC has pointed out on many occasions there will be no underage trophy residing in the Ards for another year but I have no doubt that will change sometime soon. 

Those Cran players live and are settled in the area, so that's a weak argument. Would love to know the address of the Murphy's in Liatroim and does McCusker not live beside Ballela pitch.

Look all I'm saying is instead of seeking glory hunters we need to keep working on developing players within our clubs instead of looking for a quick fix solution to winning. Taking players away to the detriment of their own clubs Lagos a real lack of class and morals.

With regards the reffing I'm sure if you talked to Ballycran supporters they would tell you all the frees that were missed for them, that's the nature of the game, ref will make mistakes just like the players on the field.

Might also be an idea to cut the Senior Championship to 5 teams, play each other once, top goes into final 2v3 in semi just to keep the quality and standard higher but that's for another day.

Good luck to Liatroim in their finals a win against Rostrevor would be an almighty victory for the parish.

Really newbie ?  bit of back tracking here

Let's have the discussion surely Oldie, however there's a massive different between a legitimate transfer and a self serving transfer. Surely your not suggesting Sheenan should still be taking a 90 mile round trip to play for Shamrocks. Fair play to him for staying with them up to last year.

How did the Murphy's ever get a transfer?? Because their dad manages them??

CB need to have a watertight system to stop clubs exploiting the system. Otherwise let's just have open season and let clubs pick and chose who gets to play for them.

Liatroim have every right to feel aggrieved in the way that they were disrespected by the County Board and the media pundits who had them written off before the match. The CB appointed an outside referee for the other semi final thinking that it would be the tougher of the two semis. But was it? In the interests of the integrity of the competition that Ardstick is so worried about both semis should have had outside referees appointed. It also raises the question are there no other referees in Down capable of officiating at this level that don't have skin in the game? If not why not? Ask any Ballycran person involved with the team did they welcome yesterdays refereeing appointment, I think the number that did you could fit them all into a phone box! The Ards teams are not whiter than white in regards to transfers and outsiders playing for them and should be playing for their "own" club - McAllister, Sheehan & Prenter. You could make a case for Prenter all right with RGU not having a hurling team. So how do some of the Ballycran players feel about the two outsiders taking their positions, you can't just pin that scenario on just happening in Liatroim, it is not unique to there. I sense a bit of fear in the Ards that there is a threat to their dominance of the SHC so is it a case of wanting those players to return to where they come from and so dilute the threat. As JC has pointed out on many occasions there will be no underage trophy residing in the Ards for another year but I have no doubt that will change sometime soon. 

Those Cran players live and are settled in the area, so that's a weak argument. Would love to know the address of the Murphy's in Liatroim and does McCusker not live beside Ballela pitch.

Look all I'm saying is instead of seeking glory hunters we need to keep working on developing players within our clubs instead of looking for a quick fix solution to winning. Taking players away to the detriment of their own clubs Lagos a real lack of class and morals.

With regards the reffing I'm sure if you talked to Ballycran supporters they would tell you all the frees that were missed for them, that's the nature of the game, ref will make mistakes just like the players on the field.

Might also be an idea to cut the Senior Championship to 5 teams, play each other once, top goes into final 2v3 in semi just to keep the quality and standard higher but that's for another day.

Good luck to Liatroim in their finals a win against Rostrevor would be an almighty victory for the parish.

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

Wasn't at it but not surprised as I'd predicted something to happen during the week. 

Liatroim were leading pretty well right into injury time when Ballycran scored two very late goals to win it by two points, it would have been a massive shock for Liatroim to win this one but from all accounts a few decisions didn't go their way at the end or as is the case not given to be more precise.

We'll be very interested in how this pans out considering our U15's along with Carryduff got put out of the U15 championship after our match was abandoned for absolutely next to nothing, two young lads rolling around on the ground, with a few other's pushing and shoving. Thing was over in less than 30 seconds.

Easy making an example of a bunch of kids, but lacking fortitude when it comes to the bigger teams!

First they stole the players then they went after the eggs.

For the integrity of the competition a Ballycran win was essential. Over a quarter of the Liatroim team shouldnt even be playing for them. (How this was allowed to happen the County Board has a lot to answer) The managers sons are quality players and should be with their own club in Belfast, McCusker should be with his own club, instead of glory hunting, is more suited to intermediate level anyway.

Imagine being a Liatroim player born and bred and then these outsiders coming in and taking your place, and then to stand back and be treated like an idiot. Pathetic stuff.

Having watched a lot of Ports this year was disappointed with their performance yesterday but still fancy them to get over the line in the final.

My overarching feeling as a Fontenoy over the weekend is immense pride, we were moments away from having 3 codes in adult finals over the coming weekends. The lads hurled brilliantly yesterday and deserved to come away with the result, however that wasn't to be, there is no doubt that questionable decisions put paid to that, however those are to be expected when you head over the water. The positive thing from a east/south down perspective is that the seeds are been sown at underage to develop hurling which can only benefit the county as a whole, whatever the hurling clubs in the ards think. On the previous post, I would have my own personal thoughts on the personnel, however from a club perspective I would argue that any success (relatively speaking, that would be contesting a senior final for us) at adult level can only breed interest at the underage levels, the reality is that the majority of that squad are Liatroim born and bred and the kids along the line yesterday see them at the field every week and as such will wish to emulate that success if/when it can be achieved.

We head in to this week with an intermediate football final and a senior camogie final to look forward to, and a pitch that is hiving every night of the week, so transfers aside I'm content we are heading in the right direction.

I can't speak for our newest member to the forum but I've been on record that the spread of underage hurling championships outside the Ards is good for hurling and a wake up call for the Ards clubs to raise their game and will benefit Down on the whole.
Bredagh are U17 champions, Castlewellan were defaulted the U15 championship with only ourselves from the Ards competing at the A level and Liatroim won the U13 cup competition relatively easily.

I did highlight the flexibility within that area where there's Liatroim lads sanctioned to play for Castlewellan at U15 yet Castlewellan had their own players standing along the line, ditto Liatroim U13's with lads from Castlewellan, Ballela on the field and Liatroim lads standing along the line. I wonder if the short sightedness of winning underage competitions stifles development within the club over the longer term.

It is heartening to go to the primary school blitzes and see teams from all over Down there, Mourne, Warrenpoint, Newry, East Belfast as well as the traditional clubs you'd see at all these types of events.
Long may it continue.

Think your both missing the main point here - of course seeing other teams excel at underage in Down is brilliant, but that's not the issue. There are no issues with amalgamated underage teams, when Senior you just go play for "your" club.

Liatroim have behaved like a premier league team dipping into the markets to get the best players. What's stopping the 3 ards teams next year going fishing around Belfast for a few players to improve their team. ( Wouldn't and shouldn't happen)

How would Liatroim react if Pearse Og or someone similar decided to leave them and go join Kilcoo for a chance at a Senior Championship. Sounds ridiculous I know but that's what has happened here.

The outsiders should go back to their own clubs, Liatroim have a great team without these transfers.

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

Wasn't at it but not surprised as I'd predicted something to happen during the week. 

Liatroim were leading pretty well right into injury time when Ballycran scored two very late goals to win it by two points, it would have been a massive shock for Liatroim to win this one but from all accounts a few decisions didn't go their way at the end or as is the case not given to be more precise.

We'll be very interested in how this pans out considering our U15's along with Carryduff got put out of the U15 championship after our match was abandoned for absolutely next to nothing, two young lads rolling around on the ground, with a few other's pushing and shoving. Thing was over in less than 30 seconds.

Easy making an example of a bunch of kids, but lacking fortitude when it comes to the bigger teams!

First they stole the players then they went after the eggs.

For the integrity of the competition a Ballycran win was essential. Over a quarter of the Liatroim team shouldnt even be playing for them. (How this was allowed to happen the County Board has a lot to answer) The managers sons are quality players and should be with their own club in Belfast, McCusker should be with his own club, instead of glory hunting, is more suited to intermediate level anyway.

Imagine being a Liatroim player born and bred and then these outsiders coming in and taking your place, and then to stand back and be treated like an idiot. Pathetic stuff.

Having watched a lot of Ports this year was disappointed with their performance yesterday but still fancy them to get over the line in the final.