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Down team to play Kerry on Sunday in Pairc Esler: Michael Cunningham, Luke Howard, Gerard McGovern, Darren O'Hagan, Conaill McGovern, Aidan Carr, Darragh O'Hanlon, Peter Turley, Mark McKay, Joe Murphy, Mark Poland, Kevin McKernan, Conor Maginn, Connaire Harrison, Barry O'Hagan

like this. 

Isn't it typical of some so called Down fans who come on here to give an opinion on here about something they know nothing about. This is supposed to be a forum to discuss Down football and not to criticise Dan Gordon.The man for whatever reason has decided enough is enough, he has given great service to Down , let's remember that.
The same man will still play for his club , the same club that the CCC shafted this year over the play off game, that may have contributed to his decision but it won't have been the only reason for stepping back from county football, it's time for the criticism to stop and move on.

you may have actually contradicted yourself there 

Burns confirms Dan Gordon not making himself available for Down

now we know and can move on.. on that one

Where's that Ron Burgundy meme when you need it?

the "well that escalated quickly " one ?

very hard to commit to one code let alone two in the modern era

time - cost - quality would apply here

Looking at the players in the county it is continually surprising to think how much better our county team could be with just the current fit players alone. We talk about not having enough players but in fact we have much better players than those currently wearing red & black, they are just not making themselves available or being brought in. Here is a team of players who are all fit to play football right now (barring short term niggles):

Stephen Kane

Luke Howard - Dan Gordon - M Magee

Kevin McKernan - Niall McParland - Darren O'Hagan

Kalum King - Ryan Mallon

Ryan Johnston - Marty Clarke - Connor Maginn

Connor Laverty - Jerome Johnston - Paul McComiskey

That's a far better lineup than anything we have had in 2-3 years and all these fellas are actually playing club/college football they are all fit. I know the forward line is very small but it is also very fast and skillful. In reserve we have the likes of Garvey, Coulter, O'Hanlon, Devlin, Mooney, O'Hare, Poland, Carr... all better than the subs we have been bringing on and better than some of our current starters.

Connaire Harrison did well against Monaghan though Donal O'Hares is lacking a sense of conviction for whatever reason. Cant see McComiskey , Gordan or King coming on board any time soon and Clarke's return another uncertainty.

As far as I know Ballykinlar, Aghaderg and Killyleagh are not competing this year, so as it stands there are only 7 junior graded clubs this year.

heard Aghaderg were fielding though Kinlar and Killyleagh definitely not involved in Junior football this season

with Queens and St Marys eliminated from Sigersson hopefully a few more players back in the fold. Marty Clarke being a key addition if it happens.

Monaghan up next weekend so doesnt get much easier, definitely needs to be changes made for that. Really worry we could end up with 0 wins from the league this year. As for next week I'd go with

Kane
O hagan
G Mc Govern
Magee
R Mallon
Carr
Mc Parland
Turley
Mc Kernan
Maginn
R Johnson
Mooney
O Hare
Madine
Doran


Anyword on when Jerome will be back? I'd say one or two from Loughinisland will be called in after the Monaghan game.

ohare got a straight red so you may forget him

Down v Donegal named starting 15 (subject to tweaks)

1. Stephen Kane
2. Darren O'Hagan
3. Gerard McGovern
4. Malachy Magee
5. Michael Hughes
6. Conaill McGovern
7. Ryan Boyle
8. Peter Turley
9. Henry Brown
10. Joe Murphy
11. Mark Poland
12. Kevin McKernan
13. Ryan Johnston
14. Arthur McConville
15. Donal O'Hare

is Danny Hughes Shamrocks manager ?

Down need to push ahead with new blood and renewed focus. seems to be nostalgia and flogging of dead horses is the Down blueprint. that is worrying

So we're not allowed to celebrate and remember the success of our past players?Wise up

who said you weren't allowed to ya dick

Down need to push ahead with new blood and renewed focus. seems to be nostalgia and flogging of dead horses is the Down blueprint. that is worrying

[Second point is my anorak mode about the PA. To be fair, it was much better than the County final, my last visit to Pairc Esler.However, as there were no programmes by the time we got there, it is of absolutely no value to be told that number 23 replaces number 10; we know that!]

A more balanced debate on our first two games is beginning to emerge but I haven't seen a lot of fresh talent to date. It will be a tough league campaign, we have a tough championship draw and it will be a tough year. I think Eamonn Burns deserves to get everyone in Down behind him- players and supporters- as we are all in this together. The only things we shouldn't tolerate are lack of honesty and effort.
A couple of things about Sunday. As expected, wee Pete had his team well organised and the Quigley-Corrigan partnership would be hard to handle by most defences. I was interested in the excellent article on Pete in the Irish Times on Saturday and there is no doubt he has made a fantastic contribution to Down football. One comment did grate with me however, and I've heard it from other players and managers; '"I owe Down nothing". Some might say that he owes Down everything- I don't agree but in the GAA it's all about what you put in, IMO.
Second point is my anorak mode about the PA. To be fair, it was much better than the County final, my last visit to Pairc Esler.
However, as there were no programmes by the time we got there, it is of absolutely no value to be told that number 23 replaces number 10; we know that!

chances are he didnt know either. only 5 Down subs were listed but there were more surely, for eg there was no sub goalie listed

a common feature on sunday was the ball carried out of defence and the player did not deliver into the forwards early enough who were showing for it. The player in possession was then crowded out and dispossessed.

yes its difficult to deliver quality ball to forwards in a packed defence and that has to be worked on.

Down seemed to be doing it in the opening period of the first half to Mooney in particular but some not taken clean (or taken but ball turned over) and attacks broke down

the cold hard fact in Down football is while we do have skilful players they are unable to play to a game plan (or restricted from doing so - whatever is the reason).

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results. Players need to be brave and better anticipation is needed.

i agree that a right few players are being given a chance and so have never viewed mckenna cup games as indicators for the season ahead other than you can see what players being given a chance do not have the skillset for inter county football (the main skill being in the grey matter department)

Up Down !