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Arent far away from what? They are a world away.....back to Div 3 and Tailteann Cup next year unfortunately

One question not being asked is why has Laverty not distanced himself from Kilcoo while he is Down Manager........ because they think they can do what they want

The dogs on the street know teabag is kilcoo manager as soon as Down's season is over...

The County Board will not act on the evidence - NO Balls

Maybe Brannigan will go to confession before mass and ask for forgiveness 😂

Half time incident?

Why do the Red High play in the McLarnon rather than McCrory cup?
They have a large pool of players from some good senior clubs.
They often have multiple county minors & development squad members.

Surely they should be testing themselves against the best in Ulster rather than chasing B grade trophies?

Because they aren't at that standard. If they were, they'd win or at least challenge for it regularly.

They won it two years ago & make the later stages most seasons.

If, however, as you say they aren't at that standard, then why not given my points above?

They won it in 2019, and in 2001. Not exactly a powerhouse at that level.

Drawing some players from good senior clubs doesn't automatically mean success. It requires an emphasis on coaching those players from 1st year onwards, aiming to have them compete at the higher end of the scale in the junior years before challenging at the top level in year 6/7. Some schools don't prioritise that as much as others, or they don't have the coaches in place throughout the age groups to allow a team to develop and compete as it moves up through the age groups in the school competitions. I'd suggest the Red High historically hasn't really put a huge emphasis on building an 'elite' sporting culture within the school, although the recent hurling success seemed to be down to a few years of good work and building towards what they ended up achieving. Just takes having the right people employed at the school who really want to drive it on, and who have the skills and knowledge to do so.

They put a big emphasis on football in the Red High especially as the players get older.

As for employing people with the right skill's & knowledge, the coach of the Down senior footballers works there!!

I honestly think they just play at a lower level as it's easier rather than being tested at McRory level.

There wasn't a huge emphasis on building a team to go up through the age groups when I was there, especially after the sad passing of Pat O'Hare, who was a real gentleman and brilliant with all the students who had the privilege of being there when he was there. Barry Kelly was another who was very good with the older age groups, but I'm talking about starting in year 8 and aiming to continuously improve up to the upper age group. I don't think they play at this level as it's easier, they are just playing at their level, which is demonstrated by their record in the competition.

They have a Down coach there now, who is good at what he does, but it takes years to build that culture within the school, and a strong footballing reputation that attracts 'stronger' players to the school.

I am not trying to be overly critical of those who have put in great work over the years, simply trying to  point out that there  8)were always a few good football people employed in the school, but it maybe wasn't a top priority of the school for many years.

The primary school coaches should be helping out in schools that are struggling with GAA, that where Down an improve.

Declan Morgan has been there at least 8 years,
- Gaelic football in the school is a joke.....should be winning McLarnons - maybe they are waiting to amalgamate with De La Salle before pushing on....

Never realised that....be a shame to drop down on 19 points

The two big games of the weekend are in division 1b tomorrow. RGU v Loughinisland and Ford v Carryduff. Looking at the last round of fixtures I imagine that these four teams could win the last round so it means this weekend is so vital. Carryduff will really want to cement their safety to bed this weekend so I fear for Bryansford.
The games should be streamed by the clubs as they are so important.

The division one team all the forum experts continuously wrote off have 19 points - doesn't look like they are going away

Another expert - would it not be better to say the team everyone tipped to be gone by now, Bryansford, are playing to the top of their game week in week out - only for dropping last gasp points against clonduff and mayobridge would be in the top 4.....
For people to think poacher/clarke  or mccorry would down tools or would be allowed to down tools is ludicrous

After getting demolished in omagh last year the whole set up should have been ran - no do it the down way and let them carry on - hopefully they have the sense to step aside now

Also that Kilcoo team would have beaten Down Saturday
The way the play as a team they would have had to much for Down
It's as bad a performance as I have ever seen from a Down team

What kilcoo players would make Down better on Saturday?
A brilliant club team but individual players don't stand out
It showed yesterday and in league games before McEvoy looks very ordinary in a county team
County football is another 2/3 levels above club

🤡🤡🤡

Well let's start with the Kilcoo players - reigning All Ireland Champions and double Ulster winners.....I would say 4 should be there that aren't for some reason....

The top drawer players are there - they just won't play for Down, out of curiosity has this subject ever been brought up at County Board Meetings as to why they refuse to play?