Down Club Hurling & Football

[Nanderson]

Poor performance overall and not many players really played to their potential but great to see Barry O'Hagan back after a horrible injury last year where he questioned if he would ever play again in what was a diffuclt week personally for the community of Clonduff with the passing of Lorcan. Big focus now on the championship

[snoopdog]

Very poor performance. Dissapointing leaving croke pk. That all too familiar feel of defeat. Westmeath showed that they've been playing at a higher level. They're very well set up defensively, Down didn't get a clear goal scoring chance at all. Westmeath had a few. Was Ryan Johnson injured? Massive loss tonight. Rory Mason should've been on much sooner, if not starting. He never let's the team Down. McGovern given a start was very poor.

[downtothecore]

Dissapointing outcome tonight. Is that 12 or 13 finals we have lost at senior level

We could do with more physicality in that squad if we are to compete at higher level. It was a big issue last year in tailteann final, against Armagh in ulster semi final and to some extent tonight. I know its easier said than done to address but that it will stall progress of this team.

[Johnnysboys]

The only good thing from tonight is that we will be in the B competition again - something we might have a chance of winning. Otherwise another nothing year.
Those who are pouring the money in to pay the management should think about their investment. £250k paid in two years would have a pitch ready in Ballykinlar.

[Sheedy]

Disappointing night, very poor performance especially in the second half. We looked miles away from being a top tier team, slow build up play mixed with poor defending.  Westmeath weren't great either and didn't even have to play great to win.
 
McGovern starting was a strange one after his performance last week but he wasn't the only one to have a poor night.

[snoopdog]

The only good thing from tonight is that we will be in the B competition again - something we might have a chance of winning. Otherwise another nothing year.
Those who are pouring the money in to pay the management should think about their investment. £250k paid in two years would have a pitch ready in Ballykinlar.

Tailteann is our level but we won't be winning it. Getting out of div 3 was the 1st goal. Very poor last night, I think really only  Kerr and Doherty played their normal solid performance. The rest were well below their norm, I count 11 final losses since 94. I'm not counting McKenna cup. Miles off the Armaghs of this world. I keep hearing them being compared to Derry. Nothing close to a Derry. We have no Glass, McGuigan etc.

[urbangael]

Worst performance of the Yr on the biggest stage. However promotion was the objective and that's ticked off. Total focus to championship now. Our defence still a major concern. Keeper very questionable for both goals last night. Not sure our capt offers enough either. We are short 3 or 4 players including a reliable free taker and a marquee forward. Reality is Down aren't good enough to compete for Sam. They are 16th in Ireland.

[Nanderson]

Worst performance of the Yr on the biggest stage. However promotion was the objective and that's ticked off. Total focus to championship now. Our defence still a major concern. Keeper very questionable for both goals last night. Not sure our capt offers enough either. We are short 3 or 4 players including a reliable free taker and a marquee forward. Reality is Down aren't good enough to compete for Sam. They are 16th in Ireland.

O'Hagan was that marquee forward until his injury. Kerr certainly has the potential to be sensational for Down but maybe needs to limit trying to do everything on his own

[statto]

Very poor performance. Dissapointing leaving croke pk. That all too familiar feel of defeat. Westmeath showed that they've been playing at a higher level. They're very well set up defensively, Down didn't get a clear goal scoring chance at all. Westmeath had a few. Was Ryan Johnson injured? Massive loss tonight. Rory Mason should've been on much sooner, if not starting. He never let's the team Down. McGovern given a start was very poor.

McGovern showed poor awareness for the first goal ended up as last man totally caught ball watching, though O hare didn't cover himself in glory either. Downs lack of people able to kick the ball over the ball from thirty yards is worrying, continually ran the ball into blind alleys and passed up opportunities to take on responsibility.

[ranch]

Very poor performance. Dissapointing leaving croke pk. That all too familiar feel of defeat. Westmeath showed that they've been playing at a higher level. They're very well set up defensively, Down didn't get a clear goal scoring chance at all. Westmeath had a few. Was Ryan Johnson injured? Massive loss tonight. Rory Mason should've been on much sooner, if not starting. He never let's the team Down. McGovern given a start was very poor.

McGovern showed poor awareness for the first goal ended up as last man totally caught ball watching, though O hare didn't cover himself in glory either. Downs lack of people able to kick the ball over the ball from thirty yards is worrying, continually ran the ball into blind alleys and passed up opportunities to take on responsibility.

He looked like a nervous wreck throughout.

[LosDodgers]

I don't really blame O'Hare for the first goal. It's hard when the forward has a running jump, it's on McGovern to box him off and give the keeper a clean catch. Why was McGovern in that spot? But he fell asleep as part of an all round poor performance...strange that he was thrown in but hopefully he sticks at it and can have an impact the rest of the year.

I do feel O'Hare could have done better for second goal. His kick outs were decent but he really offers nothing coming out, just an extra body, I don't blame him here either as clearly that's not his game. If we are gonna insist ont at perhaps we need to try Marty Clarke or Anderson? Clarke giving time and space would be able to pick a pass...would also give us that elite free taker which we lack.

Overall a very disappointing result. Against a deep lying defense we couldn't penetrate, we need Havern, Murdock etc shooting from distance - pulls the defense out and creates space in behind then.

Kerr & Doc very good. No one else really had a good game

[Nanderson]

Has anyone else had issues getting on to the county website recently? My browser tells me they have invalid certificates and doesn't let me on

[Splash]

Was walking to Croke Park the other day, and walked past the National Handball Centre.

Anyone know much about the state of handball in Down?

[Sandstorm]

Has anyone else had issues getting on to the county website recently? My browser tells me they have invalid certificates and doesn't let me on

Hi Anderson, no I have no problem getting on.

[marty34]

Was walking to Croke Park the other day, and walked past the National Handball Centre.

Anyone know much about the state of handball in Down?

They have built a new one behind the car park at the Cusack Stand end.

Some set up now.

Not sure what they're doing with the old site.