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[Taken from HS website]

Taken from HS website

Wee James takes Ballinderry reins

Former Down star James McCartan has been appointed manager of Derry giants Ballinderry.

Wee James - an All-Ireland medalist with the Mourne County in 1991 and '94 and part of a legendary Down GAA dynasty - succeeds Michael McKinless, who led Ballinderry to county SFC glory last year.

McCartan's grandfather Briney was the first member of the famous Mourne clan to play for Down, while his father James, uncle Dan and cousin Greg Blaney are all All-Ireland winners.

Ballinderry, previous All-Ireland club champions, reached this season's Ulster club final only to lose to Crossmaglen after a replay.

McCartan was involved last year with Antrim senior champions St Gall's and also helped Queen's University to Sigerson Cup success in 2007. He has also previously managed Burren, the club he once transferred to from Tullylish.


Didn't know there was a caravan park in Ballinderry.   

Seems like a good performance and great to get a win but some of the same old problems -

I thought it was a very poor performance, very scrappy and no flow to the game at all. It was like a schools game, full of simple mistakes. Down should be blowing the likes of Tipperary out of the water, not struggling for long periods of the game.
Tipperary had players warming up all through the game, if they needed a replacement there was a man ready for action. Down received 3 yellows. On each occasion everyone on the Down bench just looked at each other, in fact Down were down to 14 men for the last few minutes of the first half and conceded 2 points. They didn't make a change until the start of the second half. I know they are only small things, but if Down are serious about promotion, they need to get everything right. It was only Tipperary today, much bigger game in 2 weeks.

Did you ever say it was a very bad performance?  You gave you opinion on many players, alot of which were positive.  You stated the first 15 minutes where Down scored 8 unanswered points was like the Down team of old.  Offer a view on the overall play and we won't make assumptions.

Very good report there, TH.

Seems like a good performance and great to get a win but some of the same old problems - full back still a problem, tackling problematic, only one game plan with too much reliance on Benny.

Good to see Hughes doing well and scoring, possibly playing closer to goal is better for him.  Kearney must have done well also.

Overall seems like a positive start but obviously with work to do.

Another referee tonight might have ruined it tonight.  We have too many referees who want to be the centre of attention, rather than facilitating the playing of the game and letting the players get on with it.  Some love to be in the headlines, sending off 3 or 4 players.

One of the pleasing things for me tonight was not taking the man out once he has played the ball, and was going for the return.  This is something which has crept into our games this last few years and if these new rules can stamp this out, then I think it would be a good thing.

[Credit Marty Duffy tonight though, he was superb]

That display of fireworks would make ya proud to be a Gael, some show. I wish I was there. Fair play to Jarlath Burns and Co for having the balls to go through with something so ambitious, with loads of people complaining about it.
The new rules are getting a real thumbs up by McGee and Earley. I'd hold fire on them for now. Credit Marty Duffy tonight though, he was superb (never thought I'd say that!)

LL - spotted Mulligan doing that gesture in the team circle at the end. As classy as his celebration in front of the hill.

Hardly call staring at the hill a "celebration"

The thing is, he didn't apply the new rules.  He refereed like he aways did because if he hadn't, we might have had two or three sendings yellow cards.

You would also expect that someone would have noticed these mistakes before it was posted on the Down website of all places.

Never mind someone noticing the mistakes before putting it on the Down website, this article is originally from the Down Democrat website so I take it that it appeared in their paper.  Did anyone read it before it went to print?

TBH, alot of mediocre articles are appearing on the Down website of late.  The pics of Michael Walsh's new business were embarrassing and labelling Máirín Mc Aleenan, our best ever Camogie player, as Marianne Mc Aleenan is simply inexcusable.

That's the Super bowl ruined for me.... Can that actually be topped

Maybe Grainne Seoige with a 'wardrobe malfunction' at half time.  

What a show - unreal

They have.  Clannad blasting

As much as its wonderful to watch at home, I can see people waiting in Croke Park for the fireworks.

Typical Mugsy - the only one to swap his jersey.  He'll be wearing it in the Glenavon next week

and again

At Last

Open yer eyes - you seem to have it in for cavanagh? Did he beat you for player of the year this year or something?


McMenamins energy is astounding.

Just expected alot more from him.  The wee bro gets the yellow

Stick to the soccer Jayo,