Down v Leitrim Sun 29th June 2pm

[Syferus]

Would Emlyn Mulligan be a relation of Suarez? A mismatch in Newry today, good to see big Dan get a run,hope Doyler hasn't done his knee again, apart from that it's all about the draw tomorrow.

Why? Who did he bite

Lots a bit(e) like him. The unwashed masses who haven't seen him play much seem to be more wowed by the passing resemblance to a Liverpool player than the fact he's one of the best forwards in the country.

He was very poor today. Seen little ball.

The lone light on that team even with everyone there. Easy for teams to target him.

[moysider]

Would Emlyn Mulligan be a relation of Suarez? A mismatch in Newry today, good to see big Dan get a run,hope Doyler hasn't done his knee again, apart from that it's all about the draw tomorrow.

Why? Who did he bite

Lots a bit(e) like him. The unwashed masses who haven't seen him play much seem to be more wowed by the passing resemblance to a Liverpool player than the fact he's one of the best forwards in the country.

He is of course. Tough on Leitrim. Another year, another humiliation. One of their better minor teams getting knocked out as well yesterday.

But what to do? The Tommy Murphy Cup didn t last long but maybe it had some merit?

[Brick Tamlin]

That match yesterday will have told us nothing about Down we didn't already know.
There would be few if any lessons learned after that game.

Could someone enlighten me or answer me a few things about yesterday's setup?

Ambrose Rodgers comes on as a blood sub into the forward line for Mark Poland. This would make one assume he was close to starting or was maybe gonna be used at some stage of the game. Yet He never re-appeared for the rest of the game when subs were used, he doesn't get back on. Does anyone know why this would be. Was he injured, did he get injured in his brief cameo? Confusing I thought.

Eoin McCartan does not & cannot complete full training sessions for his club due to his history of injuries apparently. He doesn't regularly play for his club either im lead to believe. Burren heads on here correct me if im wrong. Can someone explain to me the justification for him being on the county panel let alone making an appearance. Here we have a player nearing 30 with a host of injury problems, who cant train or play consistently with his club but yet he tends to figure every summer in some shape or form for his county. And before anyone jumps at me this is not a personal attack or anti-McCartan in any shape or form. Im genuinely curious to know how this continually happens.

Good to see younger players getting a run out yesterday but question is will we see wholesale changes for Kildare game or are we no integrating these players into the team to actually use them? Are we merely paying lip service to panellists to give them a run and keep them on board and happy or are we seriously considering the likes of Donnelly & McCartan for Rooney, McArdle, Carr etc?
Imo Yesterday would have been perfect game to start the like of Conor Toner alongside Dan Gordon in midfield and give him a full match.  Maybe also give Doyle a full game if he is to be used down the line.

   

[grounded]

Liam Doyle seemed to have injured himself at the end(just after he took the free) and had to be helped off. The lad has no luck as regards injuries. 

[PAULD123]

Ambrose came on for Connor Maginn. I thought he looked sluggish and off pace. perhaps that's why he didn't re-appear. Or perhaps as you said it is effectively paying lip service to the panel. he got five minutes to keep him from walking away but McCartan perhaps never really wanted him to be playing.

Now, you know full well why Eoin McCartan is in the panel and indeed getting games. As long as he is a McCartan and wants to play he will get picked. It is better to accept that fact and live with it than keep re-visiting the injustice of it. At least Eoin only gets cameos.

[Brick Tamlin]

You say that but I genuinely refuse to believe that this day and age someone in a managerial position would be foolish enough to carry out acts of nepotism as such.

Sure it would just leave you wide open to obvious criticism. It would be hard enough to run a senior intercounty team without that hanging over your head would it not.
He is either skinning defenders in training or the other fringe forwards are not up to scratch.

Doyle is an unfortunate one alright. We may have seen the last of him in a Down jersey id fear. Hope im wrong mind you.

[elk]

Is Ciaran Mc Cartan who was playing on Sunday related to James ?

[PAULD123]

Is Ciaran Mc Cartan who was playing on Sunday related to James ?

No

[Mourne Rover]

The word is that Doyle has a hamstring problem. It may not keep him out for too long, but we could certainly do with him against Kildare. Eoin McCartan is a decent player, who is capable of doing a job at this level, but the question is whether he better than the other younger and less injury-prone options out there.

[Brick Tamlin]

Fair enough he may be and I do agree to an extent but is there not a natural progression for a footballer or a path?
You play for your club/school/uni - This would obviously include training and playing regularly
You impress with your club/school/uni - You show an aptitude to perform at a high level consistently and your performances would be of a high standard. You also demonstrate sound attitude, character and off-field behaviour.
You get a call up to the county squad based on your form and character shwon for above teams and then have a chance to showcase your talents at a higher level.
You are either capable of performing at intercounty level or you aren't.
If you are then bingo you're a member of the intercounty senior squad.
If you aren't then its back to your club you go and ply your trade their until you improve or get another chance.
Am I being naïve or does that not happen anymore?