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Great performance by the Bridge today against the Ford. We were a point up at the break but blew them away in the second period. Cory Quinn scored two goals with Ryan Brady getting the other one.

As youth officer of our club and involved in coaching u16/18 teams this year and involved in underage coaching these past few years I know that there is a great emphasis being put into the development squads at the minute from POR and the county board. These have been kick started by Shane Mulholland last season who began with the u17s over the winter months. It's easy to sit behind a screen and discredit great volunteers in this county. In reality if you cannot put your name to slurs on this board then don't bother posting.

[there are a number of quality young individuals who are all probably good enough to break into senior team]

Down team tonight was
Mark Reid Bryansford
Aaron Mc Donald Bryansford
Aaron Beattie Newry bosco
Aidan Fulcher kilcoo
Anthony Doherty Downpatrick
Rory Burns Castlewellan
Ruairi Wells Bryansford
Conor Devlin Bryansford
Joe Mc Kinney daragh Cross
Martin Devlin kilcoo
Cathal Foy Burren
Aaron Magee Warrenpoint
Pat Havern saval
Rory Mason loughisland
Conal Gallagher Newry Bosco

Four of the seven in defence from Bryansford and another who doesn't play for his club senior team enough said!

I wouldn't really pay much heed to the actual u21 competition run within the county.
Its a dud comp and played at a time of year when its hard for players to give a sh!te.
I was more thinking of the large % of players who play regular top tier football for their clubs or have shown pedigree at Ulster Colleges level beforehand.
Would have thought that the stronger/bigger clubs in Down would have decent 21s lining out for them regularly.

I think a lot of us in this county under estimate the talent coming through our underage. although we have not performed well at county standard this past while if we look at each club there are a number of quality young individuals who are all probably good enough to break into senior teams, but is it a case that some club senior managers are afraid to play a youngster over someone who has been around longer?

'ifyoure good enough youre old enough'

Seriously, if a lad hasn't made it onto his senior team at 21, then is there really much hope for him?  Many of the lads on the team last night I just would not know.  The management got the panel wrong in the first place leaving lads out and then when they went back to them (knowing they made a mistake) the lads told them where to go.  They must shoulder alot of the blame for not even getting the best panel together never mind the best team.  Dawson's horrors at county level continue.

A wee bit hard on the lad from Kilcoo. Their defence is quite hard to break into and playing regulary for the top four teams in the ACPRL is as good and if not better on some occassions as playing in the second division.

Where did big Grimley go?? He impressed me when he played minor.

What a comeback yesterday , really getting a good feeling so far but concerned with lack of physical presence up front.
Rumours flying about minors in turmoil .
The set up is finished and ex senior manager is coming in to take over.PO was put back in to county to take over minors in few years but looks like he is in now ,a little earlier than planned.
Things are at an all time low , morale among the squad and confidence in the set up all but gone.

Did you not get picked by the minor management?? Because your talking absolute shite.

Defo, I can't wait for St Patrick's day 2016 either

1924 is the exact year

We are very proud in the Bridge tonight. Only our second ever county chairman. Fair play Sean.

I'm really hoping that Irish News article today isn't true. They say Marty Clarke is unwilling to commit to training five nights a week and therefore won't be involved for Down this year. Doyle, Gordon and King have opted out and Dan McCartan not selected.

Not too fussed on the others but Clarke not playing is a massive blow and I reckon Benny knew about this and it made his decision to retire easier as he said recently he was definitely going to play when the news broke that Clarke was back.

Niall and Daryl Brannigan both in the squad which is great news.

If your are not too worried about the others, who would you start midfield next season?

It's not just Benny, the likes of Liam Doyle , big Dan, ambrose and Dan mccarten are not part of the new panel. Although they are not certain starters they have been around the set up for years and the experience they have  is immeasurable. I would not be betting on Clarke playing in 2015 either.

The worrying thing for a Down perspective is that it will probably not be the only retirement for us this season. The demands of inter county football don't lend themselves to over 30s anymore. I honestly think we will struggle in the league and won't beat Derry in the championship. Jim has a tough job on his hands as I really can't see where he is going to get the players from.

We are very lucky in Mayobridge to have him. Thirds and u21 manager along with u14 coach. Also chairman of our strictly committee which is taking place in February. A great role model for our club, county and our organisation.

It happens in all counties in Ulster. Maybe a solution would be to have the Macrory and Hogan finished early as in my opinion in drags on too long and pre Christmas/McCormick is a pointless competition with the main teams  only starting really tough training around Xmas time.

MacRory football will always take precedence over early minor fixtures. It is one of the most prestigious competitions in Ulster football. Shane is the right man for the job and has been working over the year with development squads at u17 which has not seen a professionalism like this ever.

While not dis-agreeing with any of what has been said-I'll ask the question
-'has this method of Minor selection been successful?'

What method??

MacRory football will always take precedence over early minor fixtures. It is one of the most prestigious competitions in Ulster football. Shane is the right man for the job and has been working over the year with development squads at u17 which has not seen a professionalism like this ever.