Down Club Hurling & Football

[guevara]

Ryan Mallon & Ryan Boyle are 23/24Mourne Rover. They both were on the Under 21 Team a few years ago and even then the potential was evident. Anyone who has went and watched The Point within the last 3/4 years would know that these two boys had serious potential. The same goes for Keith Quinn & fellas like Sean Parr from Rostrevor.

If you think 19/20 is too young to be on a County Panel then why have we boys on ours around that age now? My Point is that a lot of people are saying "they're a great find". They aren't, they've both been playing great stuff for the past number of years. Im just concerned that boys of this potential aren't being looked at closely enough. Status and name seems to be more important.
I am by no means saying there are dozens upon dozens of guys in Lower Divisions that aren't getting a chance. I am just of the opinion that a more ruthless streak is needed to seriously look at who is actually delivering the performances worthy of inclusion on our Team or Panel.

[Mourne Rover]

Sean Parr was a minor in 2004, so he is now about the 27 mark and, while a decent player, can hardly be regarded as a promising youngster. Ryan Mallon and Ryan Boyle were minors in 2007, so last year or this year would be about right to start making their mark at senior county level. The only reason Keith Quinn did not play championship football last summer was because he went to the states. Bringing in players at 19 or 20 is risky even in the league, as the highly physical nature of last Saturday's game against Tyrone demonstrated.

[supersub]

Both lads are 23 just to clear it up!

[Dubh driocht]

It occurs to me that with our league schedule, Down are likely to be outsiders in every league game they play this year and probably when they go to Celtic Park in the championship. Has this ever happened before ?

[RedBlackPurpleGold]

1991 

[Mourne Rover]

Down team to play Donegal, according to Down GAA twitter.

1 Michael Cunningham
2 Damian Turley
3 Daniel McCartan
4 Ryan Boyle
5 Ryan Mallon
6 Aidan Carr
7 Brendan McArdle
8 Kalum King
9 Kevin McKernan
10 Keith Quinn
11 Mark Poland
12 Benny Coulter
13 Conor Laverty
14 Connaire Harrison
15 Donal O'Hare.

It is the same team which started against Tyrone, but the possibility of a couple of late changes can never be ruled out.

[supersub]

Why were the club league fixtures done again?

[umpire]

Why were the club league fixtures done again?

Because some clubs have less than 7 home games and more than 8 away games.
The original draw would be fine if on 2 rounds.
But this year teams only play each other once
Draw is done again and seem more fairer

I believe that Kilcoo had only 5 home games and 10 away games in original draw, not sure

[snoopdog]

Is Moyna involved yet with Down. I see he is in the news as DCU coach.

[5 Sams]

Is Moyna involved yet with Down. I see he is in the news as DCU coach.

Yep. Doing both AFAIK

[PAULD123]

That is probably about our strongest side at the moment but I wonder if Paul McComiskey should start. Mind you, Donal O'Hare got 1-3, so doesn't deserve to be dropped.

If Connor Garvey is fit then I would have him at CHB instead of Carr. Aiden did ok but he is not an out and out defender. I would be of the opinion that we should see Quinn, Hughes, Carr, Poland, McComiskey as of roughly equal merit in the HF line. To that effect I would think it would be reasonable to use them cyclically or as swap substitutions in a game. You don't have to make a substitution for tactical reasons or because of injury. It is sometimes beneficial just to freshen things up with a similar player of similar skill. that way the energy can be kept high and the system does not get altered by the substitute introduction.

Wouldn't it be nice to think that we had a half-forward line where any one of six players could start and do an equally good job and that at the same time we would know that we had a bench of strong replacements who would slot right in seamlessly without disrupting the system on the pitch.

It's much better than leaving players sitting on the bench rotting away like big Arthur only to be thrown in when we are desperate. Also better than feeling we have to play players no matter what just because they are talented even if it means playing them out of position.

[citykid5]

How can you say that quinn is the same sort of player as danny poly or mc comisky? Completly different players imo. Is everyone not crying out for height and physical presence in the forward line?? Out with the old and in with the new. Let wee james build a new team.

[Mourne Rover]

There has been a clear pattern in our opening two league games, with promising first half displays followed by disappointing declines after the break. We have only managed two scores during the second half in each match, which will have to be addressed if we are to make any impact in this division.


Down made another bright start in Ballybofey, in front of a decent travelling support, and were not at all flattered to be three points up approaching half time. Referee Duffy seemed to give every marginal call to Donegal, and his refusal to award Poland a free almost in front of the posts after a clear trip summed up his efforts. Donegal had a few wides, but our shooting was also dodgy. However, we looked very well organised at the back and we should have been much further than a point ahead at the break.


Donegal's introduction of Gallagher at midfield made a considerable difference and our fragile confidence faded fairly quickly. They managed nine points in a row on either side of half time to wrap the contest up with very little fuss.


Cunningham made a couple of fine saves but again his kick-outs were mixed and one could easily have led to a goal. Damien Turley spent most of the game in the other half tracking McHugh and did pretty well. McArdle did a fine job on probably the best full forward in Ireland and his booking was unlucky. When a tick followed, there was little option other than to take him off for the second half. McCartan had an excellent evening on McFadden and showed all his cuteness throughout. Boyle was just about our man of the match, and is developing into a serious prospect. Carr worked hard throughout, apart from the odd iffy pass, and got a tremendous block in late on. Mallon looked the part for prolonged periods and was a little unfortunate to be replaced after a wayward shot.


King got through an outstanding amount of work, as usual, but he is always on a tightrope when he gets booked. McKernan had some brilliant moments, particularly his long range free, as well as some lapses of concentration.


McComiskey worked hard in what is not his best position, and Laverty popped up everywhere without doing as much damage as he can do. Poland produced some great flashes without really influencing the exchanges. Quinn covered a huge amout of ground but was struggling  towards the end.


Harrison suffered from a poor supply and his head dropped a little before he was replaced. O'Hare is a quality forward and might even have sneaked in for a goal towards the end.


It was a concern that, just as against Tyrone, none of our subs really got into the game. Peter Turley had his hands full against Murphy but improved toward the end. Benny was well off the pace, although Rooney had his moments. Gough is still raw, and the run out should help him. Savage is also young, and things did not really work out for him.


A three week break will do us no harm, but Cork are next, and even though they have also lost their first two games, our recent record against them is not great.

[Gabriel]

Disappointing performance and result tonight. We built up a good lead in the first half but were woeful in the second - not sure whether it is lack of fitness or inexperience that is causing these second-half collapses, but unless we sort it out we are destined for Division 2. The midfield was encouraging in the first half, helped by some intelligent kick-outs by Cunningham, but when Gallagher came on at half time it all fell apart. Ryan Mallon was excellent again and was unlucky to be taken off, McKernan had a good game, Harrison was uncharacteristically quiet. We are really missing the likes of Rogers, Gordon, Doyle and Coulter, who came on but barely featured. Can't help but feel that survival will probably depend on how quickly we can get those men fit.

[snoopdog]

why do Down continuously try to work the ball as close to the posts before trying a shot. if they could shoot from 20 yards they might have had a chance last night.
personally didnt see much defensive improvement. gave away a lot of frees whether or not the ref was giving Donegal all marginal decisions. Donegal got through quite a few times on goal and in championship they prob would have taken most of them.
Down should have had a penalty when at 4 behind would have been interesting.
Better team won though.