Messages

Never really got going at all last night, and still could have won that game. Hard one for the players to take, hopefully we'll see good few of them in the senior panel over  next 10years. Some going from the management, 2 out of 3 Ulster titles. Murdock is outstanding young footballer, haven't seen many better for his age. McCarthy was very good aswell I thought, and Morgan finished with 2.1 and got very little kicked into him. Plenty of work still to be done but heading in the right direction? How many are available next year?

Waterford next weekend should be straightforward if Down have any notions of winning Tailteann Cup, maybe see few changes to the team. Getting one or two up speed.

Any word on injured players? Is Owen McCabe long term? Finn Mc is bound to be due back soon?

Good luck to the u20s tomorrow night, hopefully a decent  Down support will to Dublin for it. I wonder will Laverty be tempted to call in another full forward to the senior panel? With Havern having to play in around MF. Maybe O'Hare from Saul, or Ryan Trainor?

Bad result yesterday, few individual errors made it very difficult and when we had to push forward and chase the game we were always gonna take a hiding. Still think we will give the Tailteann Cup a good rattle. Hopefully have a few u20s back by then (and as All Ireland champions) will give the squad a  good boast. Murdock, Magill and McCarthy would all start, and Savage would be good option off the bench. Maybe see the likes of Tony Morgan get a run aswell.

Kane
Laverty
A Doherty
Fitzpatrick
D Magill
McParland
Rooney
Poland
McEvoy
C Doherty
R Johnson
Kerr
C Doherty
Havern
Branagan

Guinness and S Johnson both on bench.

I think the 26 players have to be named to Croke Park this morning, I wonder if there will be a surprise or two on it?

Did S Johnson play for Kilcoo on Friday? I wonder could he included in the 26 for next Sunday. I'd love to see him and Kerr on the same team breaking forward, be seriously hard to stop. Anyone care to hazard a guess at the starting 15?

I see that Clonduff have three County panellists available v CPN who also have two released for that fixture tomorrow evening.

Was there a list of players released?

Some performance last night from u20's in brutal enough conditions. Great to be back in another ulster final only 2 years after last one. The work ethic Laverty has installed in the teams he coaches has to be admired, some fantastic talents on that panel but the hard work is the thing that stands out the most!

Fantastic result for Down and well deserved! Some brilliant displays and as a team they never stopped, great step in the right direction. Well done Laverty and the team.

8 Burren starters and this group never won an Ulster minor club title??

Was it not cancelled for 2 years due to covid??

Didn't see what happened to Walsh, was at the far side but obviously knew it wasn't good with the delay and bringing the medics on. Hopefully it's nothing long term? Wish him quick recovery.

6 weeks now to prepare for Donegal. By looks of it there are still plenty of positions up for grabs. Any idea if few of the injured players will be back in contention for it? McCabe, Guinness, Annett, S Johnson, Donnelly, and who ever else I've missed out.

No county fixture this weekend and club fixtures are out. 10 team leagues are going to be great with tough games every weekend - Who will struggle in the divisions this year???

Longstone and Bredagh will struggle in division 1

I fancy Castlewellan who have done well in the transfer market and RGU to go up in 2. Drumgath and Newry Shamrocks to go back down

The Kingdom will go straight back up. St Pauls and Drumaness might struggle here if they don't get early points.

Dundrum with McCartan at the helm wil be a force in 4.

Who is taking Dundrum?

Good news about Eugene Branagan, hopefully get Dabs involved aswell and pretty much full deck playing for Laverty and Co.

Is Ruairi O'Hare from Saul not involved at all or is he injured?
Could be an option at 14, and allow Pat to MF if needed.

Goalkeeper and defence needs looked at. Arguably our best 2 performances came from when O Hare was in nets. He was stripped and kicking yesterday

Team v Westmeath

1 O Hare
2 Magill
3 Collins
4 Laverty
5 Brannigan Clond
6 McEvoy
7 McCormack
8 Annett
9 Murdock
10 Doherty
11 Donnacha
12 Kerr
13 Gilmore
14 Havern
15 Rooney

16 Burns
17 McCarthy
18 Walshe
19 Millar
20 McParland
21 Donnelly
22 Johnstone
23 Johnstone
24 Johnstone

McParland and Donnelly no longer have the legs for county football. They went well in the McKenna cup as other teams were not at our level. Good men to come on to see out the game. That goal maybe doesn't happen if both are on the field.

Not a bad team but mcAleenan is in Austrailia and Burns is not on the panel. If Dabs and Eugene are on the squad I would start them.

Are they even training with the county?