Down Club Hurling & Football

[forevergreen]

Mourne Rover has hit the nail on the head, whenever our teams go into Ulster, they are seldom ready for the physical demands of the games that come. They have been used to getting soft frees for minimal contact and slight jersey tugs etc that are not penalised in other Ulster counties. Since Burren's dominance in the eighties we have not been able to perform at the top end of the Ulster Championship. Those Burren teams were packed with strong players coupled with a number of skilful players in Shorty and co. Mayobridge reached an Ulster final when they had strong players like Francie, Shane McMahon and Glen McMahon to name a few, they pushed Ballinderry all the way but the following year went out early without those same players. Our teams need to go into Ulster knowing that it is going to hurt and frees are hard to come by.
The Ulster Championship is played @ the dirty end of the year October/November, ground is heavy and it's a slogging match, when hardwork and sheer bravery is worth more than a few light weight fancy boys that get easy frees. Its time our managers from all teams going into Ulster look @ the horses for courses scenario. The team that wins a Championship final mightned necessarily be what you need on a wet october day.

[DvM1991]

1991 Tribute Night in Bryansford GAC 22.10.11

PRESS RELEASE                                                       
Celebration night to remember Down's triumphant 1991 All Ireland Success
The 20th anniversary of Down's fourth All Ireland win is to be celebrated at a gala Tribute Night to be held in Newcastle.
The clubrooms of Bryansford GAC will be the venue on October 22 next for what the organisers believe will be a fitting tribute to the team and management of the 1991 squad.
Down's achievement in bringing Ulster football back to the top table of Gaelic football after nearly a quarter of a century of the Province being Sam Maguire failures was a huge sporting breakthrough.
The victory over hot favourites Meath displayed Down's traditional attacking abilities through the likes of Mickey Linden, Ross Carr, Greg Blaney and James McCartan.
It was a win that brought pride and self belief back to Ulster football, inspiring thousands of youngsters to try and follow in the footsteps of a new generation of Gaelic sport superstars.
And it set a benchmark that allowed fellow Ulster counties Derry, Donegal, Armagh and Tyrone to eventually follow in terms of achieving All Ireland glory.
Peter McGrath, the man who masterminded Down's success on the Croke Park stage in 1991, and then three years later to make it five titles for the Mourne men, will be part of a specially invited panel who will take part in a question and answer session. 
Legendary Meath manager Sean Boylan has confirmed he will be in Newcastle to meet up with his old Croke Park adversary along with players from both teams as well as leading figures from the world of the Media.
Organising committee spokesman Ronan McVeigh explained that the decision taken by the Bryansford club to take the initiative in putting on the All Ireland Tribute Night was based on a number of key factors.
"First of all Peter McGrath is our club manager.  He has been a huge, and in many ways an unsung hero, both to Down and Ulster football.


"From a Bryansford Club perspective the contribution of Eamonn Burns in the final provided a platform around midfield that was truly inspirational.   
"We felt that an event to mark such a special occasion in Down's history would allow supporters from across the county, and beyond, to get the inside track on a marvellous achievement from the men who were there on the day.
"The other part in our thinking was that the Bryansford Club and our St. Patrick's Park pitch has, for decades, been pivotal in preparation terms for every one of Down's five All Ireland titles.
"Obviously there will be huge interest in the Tribute Night. Closer to the event we will be making available information on the final list of guest speakers as well as ticketing arrangements," he added.
ENDS

[When We Win]

Going back a couple of years Ballymartin beat Greenlough before going on to loose to Cookstown from memory. Both leagues would consider themselves to be competitive in Ulster.
That same year i recall St. Johns losing by 2 pts (ish) to the Derry Junior champions. The Derry team went to the final and got tanked by a team from Monaghan who went on to win div 2 the following year if memory serves me correctly.
If the top four teams in div 2 Down were allowed to enter the IFC the outcome in Ulster would be different. I have no doubt that the likes of Ballyholland/Saval/Castlewellan would walk Ulster IFC if the championships were league related.
Ultimately we have not won the major honours provisional level but i think it comes down bad luck. None of the so called big teams which drop to this standard in other divisions have ever made much of an impact at the higher grade. Did Stewartstown in Tyrone not win the AI Junior one year and to honest they are still probably a mediocre Intermediate team.
   

[redandblackareback]

Can any posters remember how Clonduff got on in their last Ulster campaign under Frank Dawson???

On a separate note, I stated a while back that Frank should have been considered for a role within the Down senior Camp, it seems to have gone unrecognised the success that this man has had, he took Clonduff to a league and championship double, took Longstone to a league final and a championship final and an All Ireland 7s success, last year he took Burren to a County title and only for K Mc Kernans erratic shooting would have toppled all ireland champions Cross!! And now again the following year takes Burren to their 2nd consecutive final. Is there a more successful manager at present within our county??? If we compare his club record to wee James I think you ll find some difference 

[centre 3/4s]

1991 Tribute Night in Bryansford GAC 22.10.11

PRESS RELEASE                                                       
Celebration night to remember Down's triumphant 1991 All Ireland Success
The 20th anniversary of Down's fourth All Ireland win is to be celebrated at a gala Tribute Night to be held in Newcastle.
The clubrooms of Bryansford GAC will be the venue on October 22 next for what the organisers believe will be a fitting tribute to the team and management of the 1991 squad.
Down's achievement in bringing Ulster football back to the top table of Gaelic football after nearly a quarter of a century of the Province being Sam Maguire failures was a huge sporting breakthrough.
The victory over hot favourites Meath displayed Down's traditional attacking abilities through the likes of Mickey Linden, Ross Carr, Greg Blaney and James McCartan.
It was a win that brought pride and self belief back to Ulster football, inspiring thousands of youngsters to try and follow in the footsteps of a new generation of Gaelic sport superstars.
And it set a benchmark that allowed fellow Ulster counties Derry, Donegal, Armagh and Tyrone to eventually follow in terms of achieving All Ireland glory.
Peter McGrath, the man who masterminded Down's success on the Croke Park stage in 1991, and then three years later to make it five titles for the Mourne men, will be part of a specially invited panel who will take part in a question and answer session. 
Legendary Meath manager Sean Boylan has confirmed he will be in Newcastle to meet up with his old Croke Park adversary along with players from both teams as well as leading figures from the world of the Media.
Organising committee spokesman Ronan McVeigh explained that the decision taken by the Bryansford club to take the initiative in putting on the All Ireland Tribute Night was based on a number of key factors.
"First of all Peter McGrath is our club manager.  He has been a huge, and in many ways an unsung hero, both to Down and Ulster football.


"From a Bryansford Club perspective the contribution of Eamonn Burns in the final provided a platform around midfield that was truly inspirational.   
"We felt that an event to mark such a special occasion in Down's history would allow supporters from across the county, and beyond, to get the inside track on a marvellous achievement from the men who were there on the day.
"The other part in our thinking was that the Bryansford Club and our St. Patrick's Park pitch has, for decades, been pivotal in preparation terms for every one of Down's five All Ireland titles.
"Obviously there will be huge interest in the Tribute Night. Closer to the event we will be making available information on the final list of guest speakers as well as ticketing arrangements," he added.
ENDS

Was reading about that in one of the programmes at the championship games sounds like a good night is there going to be meny of the ex players attending? When and how can you obtain tickets?

[dundrumite]

Some relevant discussion on here thanks to mourne rover's boredom. Correct me if I am wrong but did enniskillen beat clonduff, I am near certain they beat Rostrevor as well. I remember first round exits from the bridge at the hands of St galls and a hammering against ballinderry at the first round also. In recent years Kilcoo and Burren have gotten over the first hurdle only to cone unstuck in ulster semi finals.? The Down champions this year are on a good side of the draw and I believe at the opposite side are Armagh/ St galls/ Tyrone and Derry champions:

[thewobbler]

I think you need a bit of perspective on Down club success at Ulster levels. The cold hard facts are that it's been an abysmal run since Burren were pride of place in the 1980s. But there's more to it than that.

The only club to have won an SFC since the mid-nineties who would have been prepping for Ulster from the start of the campaign were Mayobridge. Burren were an ageing side when they won their last couple in the 90s. The wins by Rostrevor, Clonduff, Kilcoo and Burren in the time since were signals for rampant celebrations for the great achievement of county honours; Ulster was only an afterthought.

And although Mayobridge got slapped about a few times in Ulster, they generally did well, won their fair share of games and if truth be told were unlucky to come to prominence at a time when winning Ulster meant seeing off greatest club team of all time in Crossmaglen, as well as a splendid Ballinderry outfit. I'd go as far as to suggest Crossmaglen's dominance of football places an asterisk beside the last decade of provincial club championships. Getting put to bed by Cross doesn't make a team a bad team, or a soft team, it makes them a normal team.

I've a funny feeling that Burren and Kilcoo, now they both have the weight of county title expectations lifted and some provincial experience to call upon, will both put up good shows in Ulster over the coming years.

As for the other provincial titles, personally I've little respect for the winners of either. In Down, the 16 best clubs from the previous season compete for senior honours. It is only through a freak of nature, such as when a gifted minor team breaks through to senior ranks at once, and wins an intermediate title before settling as a senior team, that Down teams will ever have a chance in these competitions.  If everyone else followed Down's system, then provincial titles would be fair game. As things stand, it's a cheating contest. 

[DvM1991]

1991 Tribute Night in Bryansford GAC 22.10.11

PRESS RELEASE                                                       
Celebration night to remember Down's triumphant 1991 All Ireland Success
The 20th anniversary of Down's fourth All Ireland win is to be celebrated at a gala Tribute Night to be held in Newcastle.
The clubrooms of Bryansford GAC will be the venue on October 22 next for what the organisers believe will be a fitting tribute to the team and management of the 1991 squad.
Down's achievement in bringing Ulster football back to the top table of Gaelic football after nearly a quarter of a century of the Province being Sam Maguire failures was a huge sporting breakthrough.
The victory over hot favourites Meath displayed Down's traditional attacking abilities through the likes of Mickey Linden, Ross Carr, Greg Blaney and James McCartan.
It was a win that brought pride and self belief back to Ulster football, inspiring thousands of youngsters to try and follow in the footsteps of a new generation of Gaelic sport superstars.
And it set a benchmark that allowed fellow Ulster counties Derry, Donegal, Armagh and Tyrone to eventually follow in terms of achieving All Ireland glory.
Peter McGrath, the man who masterminded Down's success on the Croke Park stage in 1991, and then three years later to make it five titles for the Mourne men, will be part of a specially invited panel who will take part in a question and answer session. 
Legendary Meath manager Sean Boylan has confirmed he will be in Newcastle to meet up with his old Croke Park adversary along with players from both teams as well as leading figures from the world of the Media.
Organising committee spokesman Ronan McVeigh explained that the decision taken by the Bryansford club to take the initiative in putting on the All Ireland Tribute Night was based on a number of key factors.
"First of all Peter McGrath is our club manager.  He has been a huge, and in many ways an unsung hero, both to Down and Ulster football.


"From a Bryansford Club perspective the contribution of Eamonn Burns in the final provided a platform around midfield that was truly inspirational.   
"We felt that an event to mark such a special occasion in Down's history would allow supporters from across the county, and beyond, to get the inside track on a marvellous achievement from the men who were there on the day.
"The other part in our thinking was that the Bryansford Club and our St. Patrick's Park pitch has, for decades, been pivotal in preparation terms for every one of Down's five All Ireland titles.
"Obviously there will be huge interest in the Tribute Night. Closer to the event we will be making available information on the final list of guest speakers as well as ticketing arrangements," he added.
ENDS

Was reading about that in one of the programmes at the championship games sounds like a good night is there going to be meny of the ex players attending? When and how can you obtain tickets?

We hope to have ticket launch after our game v An Riocht on Sunday. Information will be available on Bryansford Website. The interest from the squad is very good and given this is the first event to mark the 20 years makes it better for everyone. Bernard Flynn is also confirmed.

[whitegoodman]

I think you need a bit of perspective on Down club success at Ulster levels. The cold hard facts are that it’s been an abysmal run since Burren were pride of place in the 1980s. But there’s more to it than that.

The only club to have won an SFC since the mid-nineties who would have been prepping for Ulster from the start of the campaign were Mayobridge. Burren were an ageing side when they won their last couple in the 90s. The wins by Rostrevor, Clonduff, Kilcoo and Burren in the time since were signals for rampant celebrations for the great achievement of county honours; Ulster was only an afterthought.

And although Mayobridge got slapped about a few times in Ulster, they generally did well, won their fair share of games and if truth be told were unlucky to come to prominence at a time when winning Ulster meant seeing off greatest club team of all time in Crossmaglen, as well as a splendid Ballinderry outfit. I’d go as far as to suggest Crossmaglen’s dominance of football places an asterisk beside the last decade of provincial club championships. Getting put to bed by Cross doesn’t make a team a bad team, or a soft team, it makes them a normal team.

I’ve a funny feeling that Burren and Kilcoo, now they both have the weight of county title expectations lifted and some provincial experience to call upon, will both put up good shows in Ulster over the coming years.

As for the other provincial titles, personally I’ve little respect for the winners of either. In Down, the 16 best clubs from the previous season compete for senior honours. It is only through a freak of nature, such as when a gifted minor team breaks through to senior ranks at once, and wins an intermediate title before settling as a senior team, that Down teams will ever have a chance in these competitions.  If everyone else followed Down’s system, then provincial titles would be fair game. As things stand, it’s a cheating contest. 

Would agree with this.

Burren reached an ulster final in 93 i think were they were beat by Lavey and then should have beaten Cross in 96 in Cross when shorty missed a penalty and they were beat by a point.  That was the start of the great Cross team and the end of that Burren team.

Mayobridge went close against Ballinderry and Cross on a couple of occasions but couldnt get over the line.   Always felt that if that Bridge team with Walsh and Coulter in their prime and Linden still firing had of met Cross in mid summer they would have torn them apart.  But sure that is not what Ulster club football is all about.  Since then although the Bridge were still ahead of the rest in Down they were beginning to be on the wain with the loss of Mickey and then Francie and to a lessor extent Walsh and Grant. 

IMO Mayobridge are were Burren were in the late 90's, still respected but not feared like they once were.  Kilcoo and Burren have taken over this mantle and it is up to them to have a go at Ulster particularly Burren this year with an "easier" looking draw in Ulster for the Down team and the experience they would have gained from playing Cross last year.

That being said Clonduff shouldnt be taken for granted and any team that beat Kilcoo can have a go at anyone, especially on a one off derby match which happens to be a final

[True Blue]

Mourne Rover & Forevergreen

Where either of you at the game on Saturday night?

[brokencrossbar1]

I think you need a bit of perspective on Down club success at Ulster levels. The cold hard facts are that it's been an abysmal run since Burren were pride of place in the 1980s. But there's more to it than that.

The only club to have won an SFC since the mid-nineties who would have been prepping for Ulster from the start of the campaign were Mayobridge. Burren were an ageing side when they won their last couple in the 90s. The wins by Rostrevor, Clonduff, Kilcoo and Burren in the time since were signals for rampant celebrations for the great achievement of county honours; Ulster was only an afterthought.

And although Mayobridge got slapped about a few times in Ulster, they generally did well, won their fair share of games and if truth be told were unlucky to come to prominence at a time when winning Ulster meant seeing off greatest club team of all time in Crossmaglen, as well as a splendid Ballinderry outfit. I'd go as far as to suggest Crossmaglen's dominance of football places an asterisk beside the last decade of provincial club championships. Getting put to bed by Cross doesn't make a team a bad team, or a soft team, it makes them a normal team.

I've a funny feeling that Burren and Kilcoo, now they both have the weight of county title expectations lifted and some provincial experience to call upon, will both put up good shows in Ulster over the coming years.

As for the other provincial titles, personally I've little respect for the winners of either. In Down, the 16 best clubs from the previous season compete for senior honours. It is only through a freak of nature, such as when a gifted minor team breaks through to senior ranks at once, and wins an intermediate title before settling as a senior team, that Down teams will ever have a chance in these competitions.  If everyone else followed Down's system, then provincial titles would be fair game. As things stand, it's a cheating contest. 

Would agree with this.

Burren reached an ulster final in 93 i think were they were beat by Lavey and then should have beaten Cross in 96 in Cross when shorty missed a penalty and they were beat by a point.  That was the start of the great Cross team and the end of that Burren team.

Mayobridge went close against Ballinderry and Cross on a couple of occasions but couldnt get over the line.   Always felt that if that Bridge team with Walsh and Coulter in their prime and Linden still firing had of met Cross in mid summer they would have torn them apart.  But sure that is not what Ulster club football is all about.  Since then although the Bridge were still ahead of the rest in Down they were beginning to be on the wain with the loss of Mickey and then Francie and to a lessor extent Walsh and Grant. 

IMO Mayobridge are were Burren were in the late 90's, still respected but not feared like they once were.  Kilcoo and Burren have taken over this mantle and it is up to them to have a go at Ulster particularly Burren this year with an "easier" looking draw in Ulster for the Down team and the experience they would have gained from playing Cross last year.

That being said Clonduff shouldnt be taken for granted and any team that beat Kilcoo can have a go at anyone, especially on a one off derby match which happens to be a final

Why not get a time machine and bring Tom O'Hare forward 40 years   Each team plays the hand they are dealt, and Mayobridge were a fine team, and we played them many times over the summer months and never did they tear us apart.  They were unlucky in many respects that they were around when we were around but the reality is we only ever played once in Ulster, the 2004 Final, so our dominance had very little bearing on their failure to win an Ulster Championship.  We played Burren 3 times and while you may say that Shorty's missed penalty was a key factor i would say Shorty's refusal to take a 14 metre free in the last minute to equalise and put the pressure on young McAlinden was a bigger factor for Burren losing.  Having watched a fair bit of Down football I would have to say one of the biggest issues is that there are an awful lot of good footballers and some great footballers but not enough hard footballers.  Autumn football is won by dogs of war and they are the key to getting success.

[NP 76]

See today in one of the papers Peter Fitzpatrick is going to Oz before Christmas . He is going for a year for work reasons

[downjim]

Brokencrossbar: If tom o hare was 25 playing in that ulster final  he would have sorted bellew out after the hit on linden

[brokencrossbar1]

Brokencrossbar: If tom o hare was 25 playing in that ulster final  he would have sorted bellew out after the hit on linden

but he wasn't

[whitegoodman]

I think you need a bit of perspective on Down club success at Ulster levels. The cold hard facts are that it’s been an abysmal run since Burren were pride of place in the 1980s. But there’s more to it than that.

The only club to have won an SFC since the mid-nineties who would have been prepping for Ulster from the start of the campaign were Mayobridge. Burren were an ageing side when they won their last couple in the 90s. The wins by Rostrevor, Clonduff, Kilcoo and Burren in the time since were signals for rampant celebrations for the great achievement of county honours; Ulster was only an afterthought.

And although Mayobridge got slapped about a few times in Ulster, they generally did well, won their fair share of games and if truth be told were unlucky to come to prominence at a time when winning Ulster meant seeing off greatest club team of all time in Crossmaglen, as well as a splendid Ballinderry outfit. I’d go as far as to suggest Crossmaglen’s dominance of football places an asterisk beside the last decade of provincial club championships. Getting put to bed by Cross doesn’t make a team a bad team, or a soft team, it makes them a normal team.

I’ve a funny feeling that Burren and Kilcoo, now they both have the weight of county title expectations lifted and some provincial experience to call upon, will both put up good shows in Ulster over the coming years.

As for the other provincial titles, personally I’ve little respect for the winners of either. In Down, the 16 best clubs from the previous season compete for senior honours. It is only through a freak of nature, such as when a gifted minor team breaks through to senior ranks at once, and wins an intermediate title before settling as a senior team, that Down teams will ever have a chance in these competitions.  If everyone else followed Down’s system, then provincial titles would be fair game. As things stand, it’s a cheating contest. 

Would agree with this.

Burren reached an ulster final in 93 i think were they were beat by Lavey and then should have beaten Cross in 96 in Cross when shorty missed a penalty and they were beat by a point.  That was the start of the great Cross team and the end of that Burren team.

Mayobridge went close against Ballinderry and Cross on a couple of occasions but couldnt get over the line.   Always felt that if that Bridge team with Walsh and Coulter in their prime and Linden still firing had of met Cross in mid summer they would have torn them apart.  But sure that is not what Ulster club football is all about.  Since then although the Bridge were still ahead of the rest in Down they were beginning to be on the wain with the loss of Mickey and then Francie and to a lessor extent Walsh and Grant. 

IMO Mayobridge are were Burren were in the late 90's, still respected but not feared like they once were.  Kilcoo and Burren have taken over this mantle and it is up to them to have a go at Ulster particularly Burren this year with an "easier" looking draw in Ulster for the Down team and the experience they would have gained from playing Cross last year.

That being said Clonduff shouldnt be taken for granted and any team that beat Kilcoo can have a go at anyone, especially on a one off derby match which happens to be a final

Why not get a time machine and bring Tom O'Hare forward 40 years   Each team plays the hand they are dealt, and Mayobridge were a fine team, and we played them many times over the summer months and never did they tear us apart.  They were unlucky in many respects that they were around when we were around but the reality is we only ever played once in Ulster, the 2004 Final, so our dominance had very little bearing on their failure to win an Ulster Championship.  We played Burren 3 times and while you may say that Shorty's missed penalty was a key factor i would say Shorty's refusal to take a 14 metre free in the last minute to equalise and put the pressure on young McAlinden was a bigger factor for Burren losing.  Having watched a fair bit of Down football I would have to say one of the biggest issues is that there are an awful lot of good footballers and some great footballers but not enough hard footballers.  Autumn football is won by dogs of war and they are the key to getting success.

If u were playing them in the summer it must have been in challenge matches which are hardly comparable to Ulster Championship.  Im not saying that the Bridge deserved to win an Ulster, just that they were unlucky a couple of seasons and that they had the type of footballers who thrived on the hard ground of summer rather than the heavy ground of winter.

You must have a better memory than me as i dont remember shorty's refusal to hit the free at the end.  I also only thought they played each other twice, 1 point win for Corss in 96 and 4 point win for Cross in Newry the following year.  Unless your including last year?

Agree with ya completely on the lack of hard footballers, something that troubles us for the county as well as the clubs.