Down Club Hurling & Football

[redandblackareback]

Senior Final
Burren are unrivalled in terms of their resources in this county. They have the best panel of players, with big game experience at all levels with club and county. They have coasted through the league at their leisure with only one goal in mind this year...Sunday.
They have been playing an attractive brand of football throughout the year based on speed and movement. They have been made to look like the Harlem Globetrotters at times, moving the ball off the shoulder and banging in goals left, right and centre. Goals have been a big 'contributing factor' to the success of their season so far and it isn't by coincidence. This is the influence of the new man in charge.
They have match winners and experience in key positions and their talent is clear to see. BUT....one would think they haven't been tested like they will be tested on sunday. Can they mix it for an hour if the game develops into a horrible, turgid, low scoring, niggly, stop-start affair. Have they the gonads for a dogfight with the grizzliest of dogs about? Have their young but talented players the temperament for such an affair where their own game is to be sacrificed for the good of the end result? Can their egos be kept in check and replaced with the maturity of a team of contenders on the biggest stage? Their talent and flair alone wont be enough to win this game.

Kilcoo will look back on the Bridge game with the satisfaction of knowing that they were well below par and didn't play anywhere like they know they can. McCorry has probably handed out a few boots up the hole since that game and if anything one would expect them to come out of the traps like demons on sunday and hit the ground running. Kilcoo will test every ounce of Burren's mental fortitude, and then some. They will try every psychological trick in the book to upset Burren. They will be in their faces trashtalking at every opportunity. Certain opposing players will be targeted for special treatment. Expect to see whoever is shining for Burren to be targeted in turns by aggressive little magpies. Its all horrible stuff to see but its one of Kilcoo's weapons of choice. If Kilcoo can overwhelm Burren with superior work rate and dogged defensive play to snuff out Burrens goal threat then it will be half the battle. Will Conor Laverty and his chums in the forward line be able to damage the score board in the same way we know the Burren attack can?

It promises to be an intriguing affair. The Upper Class V The Working Class.
The head says that Burren with their superior personnel and talent should come through with a few to spare.


Minors.
Mayobridge had the shock of the round beating 'Point in semi-final and were defensively excellent (no coincidence when ye consider Brendan Grants involvement). Rostrevor have looked solid and consistent all year. Doyle V Quinn in the shootout. How will the others fill in around that? Rostrevor have a decent spread of talent but Mayobridge are a dogged lot and have snuffed out attacking threats before. Mayobridge are the surprise packet in the final whereas the reds aren't.
Rostrevor by 5pts.

What a twat you are

[Mid Down Gael]

Totally agree. Sad.

[qubdub]

Can see the slant he's trying to get at though, just poorly put.

Burren being the full-of-themselves cocky, egotistical so-called 'purists' who play fast, powerful and attractive football;
v
Kilcoo: the die on the ball, put your head where you wouldn't put a shovel, unpleasant to be marked-by close to the edge workaholics.

I know who I want to win. #UpTheMagpies

[urbangael]

If Burren apply themselves and have the right attitude they'll win by 4/5 points. They have more quality. Kilcoo have work rate and definite talent but the fire power of Burren should see them through. Poor conditions could make it a tighter game but still fancy Burren to progress

[Line Ball]

If the cup was awarded to the best footballing team then Burren would win hands down.  But winning championships isn't always about being the best team and this is where Kilcoo come into their own.  No other team in Down has more hunger, desire, will to win etc and thats why it is hard to go past them.  Burren will fear Kilcoo more than Kilcoo will fear Burren.  Kilcoo to nip a very tight game.

[whitegoodman]

Jesus lads some of yas take ur yourselves too seriously on here!!

I would be pretty confident the working class jib was meant in joking terms so get off ur high horses before yas hurt ur back.

On the game on Sunday Burrens lack of point scoring  and ambition to score an abundance of goals may come back to haunt them ala the Bryansford match as they will not walk through Kilcoo like they did against Saval or other lessor teams.

If both teams play to potential Burren will win, if both teams don't play to potential Kilcoo will win (IMO)

Il also be interested in see potential county players such as shay mcardle, Eamon toner, Conor Toner and Darragh O Hanlon perform.

[Brick Tamlin]

Such a sensitive crowd.
f**k me it wasn't meant to be taken literally. It was only figuratively speaking.
Some people go out of their way to find offence ffs.
No need for personal insults either.

[downjim]

I know how you feel Brick. up Burren !!!!!! (and Rostrevor)

[Line Ball]

I'm hearing that Shane Mulholland may be new County Minor manager.  All the best.

[whitegoodman]

Decent appointment if true, would want a coach along with him (not poucher)

[DownFanatic]

Well done to Teconnaught today on winning their first ever JFC with a 1-09 to 0-08 win in the replay over Dromara.

[Down Follower]

How did the relegation / promotion play off go between liatroim and Carryduff?

[umpire]

How did the relegation / promotion play off go between liatroim and Carryduff?

Liatriom 2.8 Carryduff 0.8

[Down Follower]

How did the relegation / promotion play off go between liatroim and Carryduff?

Liatriom 2.8 Carryduff 0.8

Pretty much as expected. Can't wait till the champ final now. Should be a mighty battle.

[SHEEDY]

poor enough match between down's 2 best teams. kilcoo wanted it more and fought for every ball. was really disappointed with burren, they didn't get going at all but to be fair they weren't allowed to. some ferocious kilcoo tackling won a lot of turnovers. game wasn't helped by some over fussy refereeing.
cross up next for kilcoo, they'll have to improve on todays performance for that match but they'll not be worrying about that tonight. congrats kilcoo.