Down Club Hurling & Football

[45]

Look out your window 

[knockitdown]

Look out your window 

Ok, I'm not in Ireland atm but obv the weather isn great. Any word on when it will be played?

[redandblackareback]

To launch our Talk Night in Bryansford GAC this Saturday Night Peter McGrath will be interviewed today on U105FM by Frank Mitchell (McClorey). On air after 10am.
Panel on Saturday Night is confirmed as Bernard Flynn, Colm O'Rourke, Eamonn Burns, Ross Carr and Peter McGrath with MC Mark Sidebottom.
It is anticipated all the Down Players will be attending.
Show to commence at 8pm.

Great nights craic. Anyone else attend? Some interesting chat there was too!!!!!

[here comes 6]

Here comes 6, you've become top used to the seats at Esler.

Personally I'm assuming that Esler needs a break. That really doesn't leave the county board with many options in terms of seating.

They could of course play it on a Sunday - but would a Sunday in Mayobridge be any warmer or drier than a Friday night?

Thou doth protesth too much.

Pairc Esler needs a break?  It was closed for 3 months from March till about june

[DvM1991]

To launch our Talk Night in Bryansford GAC this Saturday Night Peter McGrath will be interviewed today on U105FM by Frank Mitchell (McClorey). On air after 10am.
Panel on Saturday Night is confirmed as Bernard Flynn, Colm O'Rourke, Eamonn Burns, Ross Carr and Peter McGrath with MC Mark Sidebottom.
It is anticipated all the Down Players will be attending.
Show to commence at 8pm.

Great nights craic. Anyone else attend? Some interesting chat there was too!!!!!

As part of the organising committee we thought the night went very well - the panel contribution was very good and Mark Sidebottom came over very impressive. A proud night for Bryansford and a great fundraiser.
The Ex-County stars had good craic as we went into the early hours.
It is hoped the DVD we showed will be available to buy soon - highlights of all the games in SFC 1991, Build up to the final, after match interviews and homecoming. Great memories.
The 1994 reunion will be interesting...................

[centre 3/4s]

I was at the night in Bryansford and thought it was excellent some great guests there and was good to see many of the Down 91 panel at it, players there that you only wish were able to select in present day games. Real coup for the ford and well done to everyone associated.

[supersub]

In relation to the relegation playoff and who is or isn't in it due to the weekend's result......firstly I completely agree that the relegation issue is over the whole season and not just the final game(s)! If you haven't been good enough or consistent enough over the season then you should have no complaints if you find yourself in a playoff or down automatically. Secondly I do think as has been said before that all of the games should have been played at the same time for the last round, but who is to say there wouldn't have been the same outcome? Burren could have rested the same 8 players before the county final if it was played with the rest of the games! Thirdly surely Pairc Esler could have taken one more match in the season? And finally...may the best team win on Friday night... 

[Maiden1]

No guarantee Burren would have won even with a full team out. It's hard to win any match when it means nothing and you don't want to pick up an injury going full out for 50/50 ball and the other is bursting a gut going for every ball. If marched played before final Burren might have been more up for match. Definitely all last matches should be played together. An Riocht got shafted a few seasons ago when Mayobridge had still to play Saval, Liatroim and  Loughinisland after An Riocht had played all there matches and they all knew that if they all lost An Riocht would get relegated as be less than 30% of Mayobridge points but that if any of them won An Riocht would be above the 30% needed and they could put themselves in relegation playoff.

[NP 76]

Why would people expect a relegation play off game to be played at Pairc Esler

[dundrumite]

Why would people expect a relegation play off game to be played at Pairc Esler

That's actually a very good point

[supersub]

Why not?

Good pitch in current conditions, excellent flood lights, stand for supporters so they don't get soaked as well as frozen. Just because it is a relegation playoff does that mean the teams and supporters aren't entitled to the same standard of facilities as another neutral venue game?

[NP 76]

If thats the case supersub then all championship games should be played in Newry is it not

[supersub]

No because that wouldn't be logistically possible or the best format for the championship to take. There are so many games through the three championship grades and teams are from all over the county thus travel and times of games need to be taken into consideration. You couldn't play four games (2 senior 2 interm) in the one night at pairc eisler for example. Not to mention the state the pitch would be in if every single game was played on it. It just wouldn't be feasible for the championships! Plus they like to spread the games out around the county so everyone can get to see them and not have a lot of travelling to do! In terms of the relegation playoff it is a one off game and both clubs are as close to Newry as each other. There is nothing wrong with the Bridge's pitch having said all that, just not much shelter for supporters at this time of year!

[outinfront]

Are there any other Down teams involved in Ulster Championship games this weekend?  We (Bredagh) are away to Burt in Letterkenny in the prelim round of the UJFC.

[razor]

I think it is a disgrace that club games are played at this time of year.
The July fortnight holidays should be scrapped so that all games are played before the Championship final.
The Championship final should the final game of the year.