Messages

Good to see the heavyweights in division four stopping the seconds teams going into the senior leagues

What has happened on this front?

I think it is a positive thing that Down CCC are always looking at ways to improve our competitions and there has obviously been a lot of thought go into these new proposals. However, I'm not sure it will work.
Clubs like Kilcoo and Burren are increasingly using the depth of their panel to get through their Division 1 campaigns. Both probably used at least 30 different players this year.
I've no doubt the likes of Kilcoo, Burren, Clonduff and Mayobridge could cater for two senior teams in the ACFL structure.
Looking at the Armagh model the likes of Crossmaglen II's and Cullyhanna II's have essentially become a distinct entity within their club. But do our top clubs have the desire to run two teams on Friday night? Think of the logistics and personnel required to do this. Then there are the demands of the first team manager who may want 27/28 players to travel with his squad.
I'd be more inclined to see things stay how they are in this instance.
For me, and I've mooted it before, but four divisions of eight teams and one division of ten teams I think is and always has been our best option.
A two way league gives 14 fixtures for the top four divisions and 18 fixtures for the fifth division. After the league proper in the top four divisions the top four teams would go into a round robin playoff system with the top two teams at the end of this earning promotion and the top placed team winning the league. The bottom four teams would enter a relegation playoff round robin series with the bottom two getting relegated. In division five the top four teams would contest the promotion playoff only.
This all guarantees a definitive 17 league games per season for divisions 1 to 4 and at least 18 (maximum of 21) in division 5. I also think it would provide for much sterner competition and allows for a bit more flexibility with the calendar.
To add to this I'd bring in a Novice Championship. It would be essentially the fourth grade after the SFC, IFC and JFC. Teams beaten in the preliminary round and quarter finals of the JFC would then enter the NFC. Teams at the bottom of the basement division need something to strive for. The establishment of the Donard Cup and Shield has gone someway to addressing this but a proper Novice Championship would add a lot more prestige and value. Cork and Kerry run with one of these two.

Could look something like this going on this year's league positions:

Division 1

Castlewellan - Warrenpoint - Mayobridge - Burren - Kilcoo - Bryansford - Clonduff - Downpatrick

Division 2

Ballyholland - An Riocht - Longstone - Glenn - Saval - Rostrevor - Carryduff - Loughinisland

Division 3

Bredagh - St John's - Liatroim - Darragh Cross - Ballymartin - Shamrocks - Annaclone - Drumaness

Division 4

Tullylish - Clann na Banna - Drumgath - Saul - Glasdrumman - Bosco - Dundrum - Atticall

Division 5

Teconnaught - St Paul's - Ardglass - Dromara - Kilclief - St Michael's - Bright - Mitchels - Aghaderg - Ballykinlar

Not bad.

How do we define a (B) team?
The current system of naming a Top 13 within a club who are only allowed to play for the (A) team is abused by many clubs. Does this need reviewed and redefined?
Are (B) teams only allowed into the ACFL where a club is also fielding a 3rd team in Reserve football?
Would it be fair to say a player can only represent 1 team in the ACFL1,2,3,4 in a season?
Or a player can move up to the (A) team but not down to the (B) team?
Resulting in players dropping from the (A) to the (C) team in the Reserve league when out of favour.
If a player has played Senior Championship the previous season should he be allowed to play Junior Championship the next?
All Question needing answered.

Will travel in hope rather than expectation.
Can't see where we will get the scores.
Hope for a strong ref who can spot Donegals cynical fouling when they lose possession.
Obviously a tactic to allow them to get as many behind the ball as possible.
Would be important for Down to move these kicks quickly but hard to do with a Donegal player standing in front of the kicker.

[Rostrevor]

RFC Final
Rostrevor v Bryansford
PRFC
Rostrevor v Kilcoo

[Ballyholland]

SFC
Ballyholland v Rostrevor
Loughinisland v Clonduff
Mayobridge v Burren
Bryansford v Kilcoo

IFC
St John's v Kilclief
Annaclone v Clan na Banna
Ballymartin v Bosco
Dundrum v Atticall
JFC
Saul v Bredagh
St Michael's v Teconnaught
Aghaderg v Bright
St Pauls v Dromara

Hi Umpire.

All your hard work keeping us updated is much appreciated. Thank you.
Would it be possible to post the winning 5 teams to date and the winning teams with future updates. Cheers.

[Rostrevor]

Prediction League 2011


SFC
Rostrevor v Downpatrick
Liatriom v Kilcoo
An Riocht v Bryansford
Loughinisland v Tullylish
Clonduff v Castlewellan
Saval v Mayobridge
Longstone v Burren
Warrenpoint v Ballyholland
IFC
Drumgath v Clan na Banna
St Johns v Glasdrumman
Ballymartin v Ardglass
Drumaness v Attical
Kilclief v Shamrocks
Carryduff v Dundrum
Glenn v St John Bosco
Darragh Cross v Annaclone
JFC
Bright v Mitchels
Dromara v Aughlisnafinn
Saul v Ballykinler

[Rostrevor]

Prediction League 2011


SFC
Rostrevor v Downpatrick
Liatriom v Kilcoo
An Riocht v Bryansford
Loughinisland v Tullylish
Clonduff v Castlewellan
Saval v Mayobridge
Longstone v Burren
Warrenpoint v Ballyholland

IFC
Drumgath v Clan na Banna
St Johns v Glasdrumman
Ballymartin v Ardglass
Drumaness v Attical
Kilclief v Shamrocks
Carryduff v Dundrum
Glenn v St John Bosco
Darragh Cross v Annaclone

JFC
Bright v Mitchels
Dromara v Aughlisnafinn
Saul v Ballykinler

[how about less of the smartarse talk and take your defeat like a man tonight.]

We couldn't field against Saul......don't ask.

I find it rather strange that St Pauls were unable to field against Saul in Div 4 on Fri night yet they could put a reserve team out today to beat Darragh in they Championship.
I also wonder how many of those guys today played junior championship last year!!!

you may open your eyes because as manager of the reserve team i can 100% guarantee you not one of those boys playing today played junior championship last year and if you dont believe me then how about you make the trip to bangor and i will go through the team sheet player by player.
friday was unfortunate, we haven't got a large panel looking to play senior football this year. alot of boys were away and a number including myself are carrying injuries. there are a lot of promising players still not ready for senior football who we had looked to possibly step in but all but one were unavailable. how about less of the smartarse talk and take your defeat like a man tonight.

dont think he's a Darragh man, dromara it seems from past posts!

Wrong. But i have every right to my opinion. And i still find it strange that St Pauls were unable to field againist Saul on Friday night yet were able to field today. 

We couldn't field against Saul......don't ask.

I find it rather strange that St Pauls were unable to field against Saul in Div 4 on Fri night yet they could put a reserve team out today to beat Darragh in they Championship.
I also wonder how many of those guys today played junior championship last year!!!

Have to 2nd that. Umpire doing a great job keeping interest in Champions right to the end.
Not gonna win predictions league myself but there are a few i wanna finish ahead of.
Thanks again for all your hard work Umpire.

[Burren]

SFC final
Burren v Bryansford

IFC final
Annaclone v Tullylish

MFC final
Kilcoo v Rostrevor

[Burren]

SFC semi finals
Burren v Mayobridge
Bryansford v Kilcoo

IFC semi finals
Annaclone v Carryduff
Tullylish v Drumgath

[Kilcoo]

Kilcoo v An Riocht
Bryansford v Saval