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Only 1 competitive match in almost 3 months n cost the Town the league today. Were too sluggish in first 15 mins, took that long to get up to the pace of the game. Were very ood after that and three missed goal chances were vital. Proud of the team though

I would allow county players to play in all league games if they want- hasn't done Tyrone any harm. Wrapping players up in cotton wool is not needed. Most GAA injuries are muscular and there is much chance of pulling a muscle in training as there is in a game.
Ours is the only sport in the world where the most consistent team over a season is deemed less of a team than one who wins the knock-out cup played over 6 weeks. Priorities are all wrong. It is just a suggestion but I think the league (and the National league) should be given more respect.
I would be saying this regardles of where the Town were. Mayobridge when they were winning championships were more often than not top of the league too. I'm not in any way saying Castlewellan are better equipped than Burren to go into Ulster. If Burren had taken the league seriously at the end of the season they would not have dropped the points they dropped and would be top. (by the way Supersub they only beat the Town by 5 in the league and were very lucky to do s with 2 balls droped into the net)

[Castlewellan had 1 league game in at the start of September, 1 at the start of October and will have at least a 6 week wait before their next game- the final in Mid-November.]

The league semi-final isn't now until 7th November- it is a complete disgrace the way the Co Board has treated the league playoffs.
Castlewellan had 1 league game in at the start of September, 1 at the start of October and will have at least a 6 week wait before their next game- the final in Mid-November. I'd scrap the playoffs- if you finish top you win the league. Mid-November at the earliest  for the final makes a nonsense of the whole thing- all because it seems someone thought a 9 day break day break before the Crossmaglen match wasn't enough for Kilcoo. Rugby players can play international matches on a 6 day turn-around- there is absolutely no reason the league semi-between Kilcoo and Burren could not be played tonight as was planned- it is unfair on the Castlewellan players .
On another point to make the league more of a priority I would have the League champions play the Championship winners to see who represents Down in the Ulster Championship.

I heard Dawson had sent them his CV. Man is a mercenary.

Whitegoodman I've always thought league playoffs were wrong- top team should always win it in my opinion. The county board treating it as badly as they do devalues it. You make very valid points and something needs to be done

Heard a rumour that the league final may not be played for another 6 weeks- this is a complete joke. There is no reason Kilcoo and Burren can't play their semi-final this Wednesday and play the final this Sunday. Clubs play midweek matches and weekend matches at the start of the season and can do it now. Making Castlewellan wait several weeks for a game is ridiculous.  The championship final in a couple of weeks is no reason to delay the league final- I can guarantee that the training both Burren and Kilcoo are doing at the minute will be as intense and any match with lads busting themselves to get a place on the team. The county board need to sort things out.

Gutted we lost last night. Thought it was a good game with some quality football. I thought Burren were very lucky to be only a point behind at half time. Their goal came from a bad mistake and that gave them a huge lift. They were the better team in the second half, their tactic of crowding the midfield worked well as in she first half Finty was dominant there. Their no. 10 McGovern had a great game and I think was their main man, setting up several attacks and being very in control of the ball when going on his many solo runs. I thought Duffin's passing was incredible, but at the end of the day our defence were too loose and Burren's quality forwards stood up and were counted in the second half. I think 6 points flattered them a bit but in championship football you only need to be one point better to progress. I don't think anyone will touch them in Down this year, I think Castlewelan were their biggest threat and they got through that one.
On another point it was the Town's 4th championship game this year but the first one that felt like a championship game. I am not a fan of the league format, it is not do-or-die enough

I don't think you get what I mean thewobbler. I played both senior (as a sub) and reserve championship football but I was by no means a senior footballer. Next year Liatroim reserve players won't get any championship football as they won't make the senior team and as in their last group game this year the seniors played their seconds team they won't have enough men to field. I'm sure they won't be the only ones. You have to cater for all players and not just the best in the club.

I would have been gutted as a reserve player to have missed out on a years championship because my club couldn't field due to a flawed senior championship system the previous year.

Obviously everyone should aspire to play senior championship football but not everyone can.  The PRFC means a lot to players whose level that is and to see it diminished by the senior group format this year is, I believe, not on. It would have a detrimental impact on younger players and clubs if it were to be abolished due to teams being unable to field. Some good ideas already mentioned like playing two league games before being tied could be an option or allowing 3 players who would have been tied to play but not allowing any top 13 play might also help

This years senior championship will destroy next years premier reserve championship. How many teams will struggle to field due to players being tied, especially with dead rubber games meaning clubs rested their entire first 15 in some cases? Other clubs gave lads a run out in games they were winning handily who would not normally get a game. Something needs to be done or there will be no reserve championships.

Exactly how do these two results prove anything Taking the point as an example before the start of the championship they got beat by 7 points on one occasion , That was the most all year ! they have been competitive most of the year taking a few big scalps along the way. As for the burren and castlewellan results they were relegated for both barring a miracle so is it really a big surprise they didn't turn up???

idiots who post knee jerk comments without any substance do my head in
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Warrenpoint haven't beaten anyone in the top half of the table so who are these big scalps you mention? Being competitive is no good if you still lose. Division 1 needs to be a 12 team league at most. Whoever get promoted to it for next year will be the whipping boys of the division.

Are there top 4 playoffs this year or do the top team win the league?

Winners play runners up. Teams nit fielding has shown everyone that the groups are a disaster. Straight knockout is tge only way championship football should be played

They did until about 15 years ago. They had to set up the Premier Reserve championship as seconds teams were winning the Junior championship which was seen as unfair to the smaller clubs.
I see your point Downfanatic but in any new structure involving seconds teams lower league games woukd have to be on a different day. All senior games used to be on a Sunday until the 90s

Clubs should do the Top 13 right by putting their best players in it. Kilcoo seniors played Castlewellan on a Friday night and the seconds 2 days later. They played 11 men who played in the senior team in the seconds game. They are not the only club who do it but until clubs do the thing right there is no point talking about having seconds teams in any restructured division 4 which is why i made the point in the first place.