Down Club Hurling & Football

[Seandoc]

Really great game today, played in good conditions with high standard of football from both teams.
Down players deserve a lot of credit, they shipped a lot of abuse after Armagh game, but showed today they have the abilty to compete at a high level. Far and away better team on the day and fully deserved their win.
Credit has to go to management team as well, the players are clearly well coached and are committed to the cause.
After watching Cavan beat Down 4 times on trot when we could or should have won 2 of those games it was great to see us finally get over the line today.
Thought the defence were excellent, special mentions for Mason, Magill, and Guinness. Also have a real abilty as a team to counter at pace, Armagh dealt effectively with that threat by constantly fouling in the Down half, Cavan thankfully didn't follow their example.
One concern would still be kickout, if Cavan had pushed up from outset then might have been different outcome, they will probably regret that in hindsight. Also wonder how this team would deal against a team which doesn't allow them space they had today.
Lastly very strange to hear boos from albeit minority of Cavan fans at both the Down team and the officials, disappointing to say the least.

[snoopdog]

Down put in a 70 minute shift yesterday and got the reward. Some outstanding performances, Rory Mason was the standout, he was everywhere. Great day in Breffni, this Down team are evolving despite what anyone thinks. Roll on Croke pk next Sunday. Talk is we avoid Meath as already played?

[ardtole]

Downs best performance this year easily. Mason was the standout performer, McCarthy in corner back looks future all star material, he was excellent.

McEvoy off the bench done well coming in. Cavan are a dogged experienced team, who have probably peaked, Down have so much more potential, we kept rotating the ff very cleverly between Murdock, Havern and a couple of times Patrick Branagan.
Danny Magill got his opportunity v Offaly and has taken it, Mason the same more recently, a fully fit OHAGAN would be massive next year.

The Tailtain cup has been perfect for Down this year, bar the blip v Meath every game we are improving. I still don't think that's our best 15, with everyone fit, Danny Magill, Mooney, Barry O'Hagan, McPartland,  James Guinness, Finn McElroy we are developing a strong squad.

[Johnnysboys]

Some show put on yesterday evening. Laverty and go deserve great credit as Mason left the panel to get football with his club - was playing really well for them and was drafted back in and the last game and 1/2 has been outstanding.  Paddy McCarthy had a stinker in an earlier league game but they have worked with him and the last two games he has been unreal.. Management that can recognise a player needing game time and still not shutting the door on them deserve commendation.. Ryan Johnston was outstanding and we are an unbelievable team when he plays.. can't wait to see murdock et al in Croke park next weekend..

[downtothecore]

Yeah Jonnyboys I agree with summary. This team has had a few defeats this year but they seem to learn quickly from them which is a good trait. I wasn't excited about this tailteann cup but to tbh it is what we need  now, we are moving upwards and I think we will be in better position to compete with the bigger teams next year and on.

[SHEEDY]

Down v Laois in the semi final next weekend in croke park, hopefully a good crowd gets down to Dublin to support the team.

[Blackandblue2]

A great win, and a brilliant performance to go along with it. A balanced team that works hard and a few players capable of moments of magic. Wide open spaces of Croke Park should suit this team. 2 matches away from silverware. Would be a good end to a bumpy season.

[Laoiseabu]

Does Barry OHagan not play with Down anymore ? Also will Niall McParland be fit for this weekend ? Looking from the outside in the Kilcoo lads seem to have strengthened up the Down panel this year . As a Laois man we would be very worried about the pace and direct running of Down in the wide open spaces of croke park

[statto]

Does Barry OHagan not play with Down anymore ? Also will Niall McParland be fit for this weekend ? Looking from the outside in the Kilcoo lads seem to have strengthened up the Down panel this year . As a Laois man we would be very worried about the pace and direct running of Down in the wide open spaces of croke park

Did the cruciate. 

[SHEEDY]

Does Barry OHagan not play with Down anymore ? Also will Niall McParland be fit for this weekend ? Looking from the outside in the Kilcoo lads seem to have strengthened up the Down panel this year . As a Laois man we would be very worried about the pace and direct running of Down in the wide open spaces of croke park

Barry OHagan got bad cruciate injury in an early league game and is out for the foreseeable, Niall Mcparland hasn't played since the Armagh game, he won't be involved either, again through injury. Down will definitely be hoping to avail of any space and attack with pace. Laois seemed to have picked in the last few weeks, beating Fermanagh was definitely a shock.

[SamFever]

 Friday's League fixtures probably being moved to
Monday due to Tailteann game on Sunday.

[Mourne Red]

Friday's League fixtures probably being moved to
Monday due to Tailteann game on Sunday.

Looks like they're moved - Reserves games probably be moved to the Friday now give players the weekend

[Leftmidfield]

Friday's League fixtures probably being moved to
Monday due to Tailteann game on Sunday.

Looks like they're moved - Reserves games probably be moved to the Friday now give players the weekend

Reserve games scheduled for Sun 2pm are now Saturday 2pm

[Leftmidfield]

Friday's League fixtures probably being moved to
Monday due to Tailteann game on Sunday.

Looks like they're moved - Reserves games probably be moved to the Friday now give players the weekend

Reserve games scheduled for Sun 2pm are now Saturday 2pm
Minor matches scheduled for Monday moved to Friday

[SticksandStones]

Intersting to see if a few Kilcoo men will be rested against Laois, Big Game Monday