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[Rostrevor]

SFC
Mayobridge v Rostrevor
Ballyholland v Burren
Loughinisland v Longstone
Liatroim v Clonduff
Annaclone v Castlewellan
Cumann Pheadair Naofa v Saval
An Riocht v Bryansford
Downpatrick v Kilcoo

IFC
Dundrum v Drumgath
Bosco v Kilclief
Glenn v Clann na Banna
Atticall v Tullylish
St Johns v Saul
Ballymartin v Shamrocks
Bredagh v Glasdrumman
Darragh Cross v Carryduff

JFC
Aughlisnafinn v Mitchels
St Michaels v Drumaness
Ballykinlar v Dromara
St Pauls v Bright
Killyleagh v Teconnaught
Aghaderg v Ardglass

Count me in also Umpire for a bit of banter

Me too Umpire.

The Stone were doing in OK in terms of boys away for a few years compared to the likes of An Riocht etc.  But an awful lot of lads are in London and other places working.  Small clubs will definitely be hit hard as every man counts.

Yes it seems to be hitting every club, e.g. at first glance it doesnt seem that Rostrevor have been too badly hit but a quick look into it reveals that they are missing some serious talent.

Eamon McConville/Colm Murney/Gary Magee - All in England - all played in Downs All Ireland Minor team of 2005, 25-26 years of age now - would be just in their prime.
Caolan Mooney - AFL - 20/21 now and probably would be flying.
Conor Mackin/Miceal Mackin - Australia - Were good options for the reds when they were playing - Conor 25, Miceal 21/22.

There are a good few other players too who could well have been playing if they had been about. It seems though it has been a gradual movement rather than one big clearout and therefore you dont realise it until you sit back and think.

[Clonduff]

Saval V Clonduff

Rostrevor V Loughinisland

Kilcoo V Mayobridge

Castlewellan V An Ríocht

Burren V Bryansford

I think Bryansford will have quite a strong Reserve team this year following their Under 21 success.  For the first 4 or 5 games anyway.  Always strong teams out this time of year for reserves as seniors are still a month away so managers use them as game time for any senior player not registered.  All games should therefore be extremely competitive and quite intense.

I think you are being harsh on Bryansford's chances. As there is a play-off for league champion I think they deserve to be rated along with Burren, the Bridge and Kilcoo as potential winners.

I agree that Bryansford are one of the top teams, no question, and they will most certainly challenge for championship honours, I just think history shows that they dont take the league that seriously, therefore I dont think they will be in the running for it.

anyone got any predictions as to who will go up and go down

In Division 1, relegation will be between the 6 teams who got promoted. No big surprise there. Who it will be out of those 6 really depends on the start they get to the year. 
Rostrevor, Liatrom, Loughinisland and Warrenpoint should be best placed to stay up. The first 3 because of their recent experience in Division 1 and the Point because there is no doubt they are an emerging team.  That leaves An Riocht and Annaclone. By all accounts, An Riocht have not seen any of their foreign legion returning so it will hard for them to survive the full season on a small squad, and Annaclone just because they havent got the experience although they do have plenty of spirit which will help them no end.

League winners will be between Burren, Kilcoo and Mayobridge.  They are the 3 most consistent teams in the County and the winners should emerge here.

Bryansford, extremely talented, extremely inconsistent in league format so wont challenge for league.
Clonduff and Longstone, something similar although not quite as good as the Ford.

Saval, Ballyholland, Castlewellan and Downpatrick will be happy to stay out the relegation battle and should have enough to do just that.

Are the fixtures for the club leagues released?? Heard someone mentioning them earlier???

http://people.gaa.ie/club/down/#

click on link above and go to down - football - fixtures - senior - acfl - 1,2 or 3

Oh and it can take a minute or two for the site to come up properly so be patient!!

Are the fixtures for the club leagues released?? Heard someone mentioning them earlier???

http://people.gaa.ie/club/down/#

click on link above and go to down - football - fixtures - senior - acfl - 1,2 or 3

That lad needs to think before he speaks . typical rostrevor

Wind your neck in you idiot.

Mooney is entitled to his opinion and if he felt this way so be it. He has had a year experience of playing and training professionally and is in a very good position to compare the two sports and the amount of time given up for each. It is ridiculous the commitment needed for inter county football whether it be minor, u21 or senior. He has clearly seen over the past season how much he trains and time given to his profession and can relate to time spent committing to GAA. He has come home and lined out for the seniors in the championship and the u21s in an end of season poorly run (although better this year than previous) competition, so don't think anyone can question his commitment to the association.

He was just airing an opinion after being away for a while and able to compare. Fair enough the GAA does give back some of the revenue in different ways, but its not known as the Grab All Association for nothing

Oh and fitzroyface, no need at all, don't be jealous that's a good lad.

Young men always have strong opinions so no surprise there. Could someone perhaps clear up for this discussion anyway, where does all the money go that is taken in from Championships and All Ireland?

Any word on new players called up to the Down panel. I hear they have started training.

Warrenpoint's winning streak came to an end in spectacular fashion as Rostrevor turned on the style to ease to a ten-point derby win at Pettit Park on Monday evening. A devastating second-half performance saw the Reds pull clear from the Blues after a tough opening to the contest which had both teams finding the net as the lead changed hands more than once. The conditions didn't help the sides in playing their respective brands of football and errors and frees were commonplace for most of the clash, but the rivalry between the two clubs means that Rostrevor's supporters will be delighted at seeing their side run out comfortable winners in the end.

Damian Magee opened the scoring from a placed-ball in the opening minute, with Adrian Mackin doubling the Rostrevor lead, on the turn, three minutes later. It took the Blues all of those minutes to settle and it was Ryan Boyle who steadied the ship with a fine point from the right side. The wet conditions meant that the forwards, on both sides, could earn frees close to goal and the gradual arrival of Warrenpoint into the contest saw them force themselves ahead by the 17th minute; Ross McGarry splitting the posts twice from frees. The weight of possession that the 'Point enjoyed at midfield allowed for a steady supply of ball into the lively forward-line in the opening half and they continued to impress. Gary Morgan fisted over with Caolan McLaughlin adding a further score to have the scores at 0-5 to 0-2 in favour of Warrenpoint entering the final ten minutes of the half.

Rostrevor were struggling to match the intensity shown by their neighbours in the middle-third but fortune favoured them in those moments approching the interval. Shaun Parr and McGarry traded scores before the Reds landed 1-2 without reply. Declan Magee narrowed the gap with a superb effort from near the endline before Warrenpoint's resistance was wore down in the most cruel manner. Damian Magee's free was dropping short only to be directed to the net past 'Point keeper Gary McMahon, by an unfortunate deflection. The same man added an excellent point from the left wing in injury time to leave Rostrevor with an unlikely two-point advantage at the break.

HALF TIME - ROSTREVOR 1-05 - 0-06 WARRENPOINT

The match remained close in the early stages of the half with Ross McGarry and Adrian Mackin scoring a free each by the 35th minute. It was then that Warrenpoint's Ryan Boyle scored what seemed to be a crucial goal for the visitors. Dribbling superbly upfield, he exchanged passes with John Boyle before slamming the ball into the far corner of Brendan O'Hare's net to give the Blues their lead back; 1-7 to 1-6. That was as good as it would get for Warrenpoint, however, as Rostrevor took over to blitz their rivals for the remainder of the contest. The change in the balance of play was indicated by six unanswered points for the Reds in the seven minutes after the goal. Declan Magee levelled the scores with an effort from close in, with Adrian Mackin's two frees placing Rostrevor into what proved to be the decisive lead in the match. Christopher Magee and John Fegan, from another dead-ball, saw Rostrevor move four in front; Mackin then pointing from play to extend the lead further.

Ross McGarry's free kept Blue hopes alive with 13 minutes remaining and, with Adrian Mackin and Ryan Mallon scoring at both ends, Warrenpoint still retained some belief with five minutes left on the clock; that belief was relying more on the Point grabbing an unlikely second goal though. As it transpired, Rostrevor powered home with a succession of scores in the final minutes. The excellent Mackin brought his tally to eight points with two quality scores as the Reds' put the seal on a fantastic second half with a Brian Cole goal; Cole benefitting under the high ball to slide the ball under McMahon in the 57th minute. Shaun Parr's point saw the lead stretched out to ten points by the full-time whistle as the Warrenpoint men fell to only their second defeat of the season; and their second to their near-neighbours. The result does see the Blues remain at the top of the table on score difference ahead of Annaclone, but it also sees Rostrevor gain some vital ground in the title race.

[retirement]

I have to say that after the service the man has given to the county Ronan Murtgah's retirement has gone unnoticed and has largely not been mentioned among the chattering classes.....

I reckon that if Rony had started the All Ireland Final in 2010 we would have 6 Sams in the bag by now.  A number of goal chances were on offering in the first half and Murtagh would def have went for them whereas John Clarke and Paul McComiskey (who did have a great game) settled for points. The old adage stands, Goals Win Games, and Down def needed goals that day.  Murtagh was so sharp around that time it was unreal.

I hear that the county board are giving each club 20 tickets to sell for a big draw they are organising,price of tickets are 125quid each,apparently any club who fails tho sell 20 will not be given any home fixtures for 2012.I think that is a total disgrace,sounds like the county board are blackmailing the clubs to make them some money.it's hard enough selling tickets at a fiver or teenier for our own clubs for Christmas draws never mind them coming in demanding we sell those tickets,especially at this time of year an the way things are.could anyone let me know if this is correct in what I heard

Yes there is indeed a draw, and clubs have to pay for at least 20 tickets whether they are sold or not. This is to cover the prize fund of £110,000.  Tickets cost £120 and this can be paid up front or over 12 months, £10 p/m.  However, after the initial 20 tickets are sold, clubs retain 80% of the ticket price, i.e. £96 for every ticket sold thereon.  It is the best fundraising idea the county has come up with in a long time.  The benefits are there for clubs who push it.

The Yo Yo teams in Down. Is the Yo Yo changing however.

In all honesty, over the last 10/15 years, the Yo Yo teams were Ballyholland, Saval, Loughinisland and Warrenpoint. In a 2 up/2 down situation they are probably the 4 teams who have been promoted/relegated the most.

Ballyholland and Saval have improved without doubt to the standard of Division 1 teams, while Warrenpoint appear to have declined to the standard of Division 2.

That leaves Loughinisland of the old Yo Yo teams who are probably still in that zone.  Who will replace the other 3?

Castlewellan no doubt see themselves as a Division 1 team, but will they cut the mustard next year when they get there. Liatrom were Division 1 for many years so perhaps they will come into the equation.

Daniel McCartan is one of the most unfairly criticised players i have ever seen.

I cant believe that someone is saying he was bad on Sunday against the Bridge.  He had the Bridge's new corner forward, O'Rourke, in his pocket.  Everytime the ball came up near them, either Daniel was out in front, or O'Rourke was looking for a free.

He not be the best County player we have, but he aint bad. He is well worth his place on the squad, and if he wins his place back on the team then fair play to him.