Down Club Hurling & Football

Splash · May 25, 2025, 08:21:42 PM

I'm not an expert on the matter, but in my experience I'm not sure how much is done to accommodate players.

The example I would use is last year, Clonduff had a hurling championship match and a football championship match scheduled on the same day, an hour or two apart, in two different parishes.

That certainly doesnt lend itself to dual players, or perhaps even more so, players who would like to play both but are turned off the idea because they don't see how it is feasible.

There's plenty of examples of football training on a Monday night when hurling should be played and vice versa for a Friday, but that's down to poor communication and clashes at club level.

I do like it that the GAA was established to promote and encourage all Gaelic Games. I'd be a very big proponent that in an ideal world , every club should offer their players the chance to play all Gaelic Games.

Splash · May 25, 2025, 10:13:27 PM

The hurlers live to fight another day. They will play in the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2026 for the 6th consecutive year.

A return to the Christy Ring wouldn't have been disastrous, but with Down making the jump to Div 1, it is far better to avoid regressing.

It must be said, Down were well beat by Kildare yesterday, and only managed to stay up because Westmeath did them a favour and beat Kerry, meaning Down avoid relegation on the head to head.

It has not been a very good championship, with the only team Down beat being Kerry, and they shipped some big hidings against Laois and Carlow.

There are several factors why Down are struggling at the moment, but I think one of the main issues is the lack of depth. Things are a lot better than they were, but all it takes is 2 or 3 injuries and Down can be seriously stretched thin.

We simply need more clubs and more players. I see Bryansford are introducing hurling, and are starting social hurling sessions from next Sunday. This is great. We already have Saul and Clann Mhúrn participating at underage, so another potential hurling club will be a great boost to the county.

I see Ardglass have also taken advantage of the GAA Hurling Club Starter Packs. I don't know anything about how they're getting on, but it will hopefully be great to see hurling back in Ardglass and will be another big boost.

Hopefully come next year, Down have a full squad, and are able to compete. Kildare have found themselves in a McDonagh Final. They are a similar standard to Down. Down beat them twice in the league. There is no reason Down can't make the next step.

It has been a disappointing championship, but with McDonagh status retained, we can't be too unhappy with our lot.

befair · May 28, 2025, 11:05:17 AM

Is the game vs Louth being screened anywhere?

naka · May 28, 2025, 08:09:11 PM

Quote from: befair on May 28, 2025, 11:05:17 AMIs the game vs Louth being screened anywhere?

Hopefully Macko will have it on in the bar in the shamrocks saves me having to go out in the cold to watch it

snoopdog · May 28, 2025, 09:27:53 PM

Quote from: befair on May 28, 2025, 11:05:17 AMIs the game vs Louth being screened anywhere?

Don't think so.

Sheedy · May 28, 2025, 09:43:38 PM

Quote from: snoopdog on May 28, 2025, 09:27:53 PM
Quote from: befair on May 28, 2025, 11:05:17 AMIs the game vs Louth being screened anywhere?
Don't think so.

no, it's on tv. Gaa+ are showing Cork v Kerry and Tyrone v Mayo on Saturday evening

Sandstorm · May 29, 2025, 11:14:13 AM

Any comments on Down V Louth? I think if down can replicate the Clare performance they can win.

imtommygunn · May 29, 2025, 11:58:06 AM

I think Down will beat Louth. Not by much but I think you'll win.

Sheedy · May 29, 2025, 12:31:51 PM

Was at the league game in Drogheda and there wasn't much between the teams that day, I'd expect another close one this weekend. Louth ending up winning that game by a point but Down definitely would've felt they deserved something.

Hopefully the home venue will swing things in Down's favour this time round. Expecting a big crowd for this one.
Bookies have Down favourites at 8/13, Louth 13/8, Draw 8/1

Aristo 60 · May 29, 2025, 05:49:03 PM

Agreed with all that. Barring a bad mistake, I think we'll pip Louth by a wee margin.

ck · May 29, 2025, 07:21:39 PM

Down should have too much for Louth. In saying that I have been disappointed with Down under Laverty, they just havent made the progress I expected and are not really any further on from 2 years ago. I hope the next 2 weeks will prove me wrong though.

ONARAGGATIP · May 29, 2025, 09:16:55 PM

Quote from: ck on May 29, 2025, 07:21:39 PMDown should have too much for Louth. In saying that I have been disappointed with Down under Laverty, they just havent made the progress I expected and are not really any further on from 2 years ago. I hope the next 2 weeks will prove me wrong though.

Down have beaten Donegal. Won the t cup. Beat monaghan in clones. Lost narrowly in drogheda and cavan. Not many teams get relegation on six points. May I ask have u attended many games this year? The progression is obvious. Seriously young squad. Hope you are going on Saturday.

ardtole · May 29, 2025, 10:02:07 PM

I was at 5 of the 7 league games and I think Laverty is getting the best out of the players available.

We were unlucky in several games particularly Cavan, Louth and Meath. Louth had a few of their better players missing against us, but with home advantage I think we have enough to win.

One thing I notice about Down is our performances can be influenced significantly by the weather. On a dry, warm day like v Clare, it really suits our fast moving, quick attacking team. When we come up against more physical teams in poor weather conditions we can struggle.

snoopdog · May 30, 2025, 10:36:08 AM

I'd agree, Laverty is getting the best he can get out of this group of players. They never give up but we all know we lack the real quality players required to be a challenger for Sam.
Hopefully we can win tomorrow and at least guarantee a home preliminary quarter final against a 3rd place team.
Then we can go into the Monaghan game with a free shot.

ck · May 30, 2025, 11:52:04 AM

Quote from: ONARAGGATIP on May 29, 2025, 09:16:55 PM
Quote from: ck on May 29, 2025, 07:21:39 PMDown should have too much for Louth. In saying that I have been disappointed with Down under Laverty, they just havent made the progress I expected and are not really any further on from 2 years ago. I hope the next 2 weeks will prove me wrong though.

Down have beaten Donegal. Won the t cup. Beat monaghan in clones. Lost narrowly in drogheda and cavan. Not many teams get relegation on six points. May I ask have u attended many games this year? The progression is obvious. Seriously young squad. Hope you are going on Saturday.

Happy to be corrected and admittedly I've only seen Down once this year, twice tomorrow I hope.
Beating a mess of a Donegal team under Paddy Carr and Aidan O'Rourke is hardly a reference point, nor is winning the TCup. These would be regarded as fully expected. Relegation was not expected, but it happened and does not point to progress.