Down Club Hurling & Football

[terrifictommy]

I think we are unduly harsh on the referee panel, there's a couple I think would do the job. But Paul is the top in the county so has to be first choice, it would be like having your quarterback on the bench at the Superbowl if he wasn't there.

[Splash]

All to play for heading into the final round of the Junior Championship tomorrow.

Think any team can still qualify for the final?

I believe Kilclief are guaranteed a final spot?

They've shown to be a good team this championship. Managed to hold off a massive comeback from East Belfast in the first round, before staging their own massive comeback against Ballyvarley.
Castlewellen will probably be their toughest challenge, but there's no reason they shouldn't back themselves. They have a great ability to score from anywhere on the field, and their backs seem to be able to hold their own. Perhaps a bit vulnerable when it comes to conceding goals, but Castlewellen haven't seemed like a team that can score goals- this championship they failed to score a goal against East Belfast and only scored one through a penalty against Ballyvarley. Kilclief seemed like they'd be well fit to mix it with Clonduff, CPN, and Ballela in the Intermediate; playing Division One hurling clearly has done them well.

Castlewellen suddenly find themselves in a very dangerous situation. Did they believe their own hype too much? This is not a game you want to have your back against the wall. From what I hear, East Belfast really rattled Castlewellen. Here Jason Croskery is in good nick atm, and no doubt the Town will want to be making amends to being on the wrong end of the shock of the championship. Some decent players the likes of Cairns, McCabe, etc., and they seem to move well as a team.
They could very well catch Kilclief and book their place in the final, and it would be foolish to write them off after one loss. Either way, will be a great game.

East Belfast are sixty minutes away from reaching their first men's final and making history. I'm sure they're absolutely buzzing after getting the win over a fancied Castlewellen side. A win should be enough to get them to the final?  They really seem to have got going this year. Seem vastly improved from last season. Not looking too deeply into one win, but they had a decent league and their defeats seem to be less of a hammering nature. They'll not fear Ballyvarley, they've beaten them once this year in the league, and will take great confidence from their win in the last round.

Ballyvarley have had a dreadful championship in the grand scheme of things, but they can still reach a final. Think they have to beat East Belfast by about 20 odd points to reach it, though. Not an ideal situation to be in. However, they have forwards who are happy to go goal hunting- Danny Magee in particular is a big goal threat.
All the same, it's a big ask, and they'll be without Liam Conlan, so could be well exposed in the back like.
Much like East Belfast, they've improved a lot this season, but they seem to be running out of steam whilst East Belfast seem to be riding a wave at the minute. Again, you never do know when it comes do or die time. They beat East Belfast well in the league, but hard to imagine they'll have enough to beat them by enough to reach a final. Again, I said it would be hard to see East Belfast finding a way to overcome Castlewellen, and look how that turned out. 
I'm told told Ballyvarley have an ex-East Belfast man in the ranks. Used to hearing of lads transferring in to East Belfast at this point, not too often to see it going the other way.

Worth pointing out, the game being played in Ballela is probably the best possible outcome Ballyvarley could have hoped for. If I'm not wrong, they're amalgamated with Ballela the entire way up to senior? Lads will be very comfortable there.

Very hard to call this week. Great viewing for the neutral.

[Saffrongael]

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

[downtothecore]

Kilcoos fault

[manwithnoplan]

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

[Mourne Red]

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

Them Hurling folks, can take them nowhere - Wouldn't get that at the football 👀

[johnnycool]

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

Wasn't at it but not surprised as I'd predicted something to happen during the week. 

Liatroim were leading pretty well right into injury time when Ballycran scored two very late goals to win it by two points, it would have been a massive shock for Liatroim to win this one but from all accounts a few decisions didn't go their way at the end or as is the case not given to be more precise.

We'll be very interested in how this pans out considering our U15's along with Carryduff got put out of the U15 championship after our match was abandoned for absolutely next to nothing, two young lads rolling around on the ground, with a few other's pushing and shoving. Thing was over in less than 30 seconds.

Easy making an example of a bunch of kids, but lacking fortitude when it comes to the bigger teams!

[Truth hurts]

Despite emotions after a big game, I was shocked to see a club like Liatroim blame a ref on social media. I would have thought by now that some of their members would have it deleted. Who would be a ref?

[old timers]

Despite emotions after a big game, I was shocked to see a club like Liatroim blame a ref on social media. I would have thought by now that some of their members would have it deleted. Who would be a ref?

I watched the same ref many times over the last few years and unfortunately he is always the same  whether that be kids feile matches or intermediate in Antrim and on this occasion down senior. fair play to him as who would be a ref but im not one bit surprised to hear this.

[Truth hurts]

Liatroim blaming the ref, Dunloy footballers blaming the ref and Clann Eireann in Armagh blaming the ref.

It is always the ref's fault.

The defending from Liatroim for that last goal was u10 stuff. Two men were left free on the far side, Is that the ref's fault?

[Ardstick]

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

Wasn't at it but not surprised as I'd predicted something to happen during the week. 

Liatroim were leading pretty well right into injury time when Ballycran scored two very late goals to win it by two points, it would have been a massive shock for Liatroim to win this one but from all accounts a few decisions didn't go their way at the end or as is the case not given to be more precise.

We'll be very interested in how this pans out considering our U15's along with Carryduff got put out of the U15 championship after our match was abandoned for absolutely next to nothing, two young lads rolling around on the ground, with a few other's pushing and shoving. Thing was over in less than 30 seconds.

Easy making an example of a bunch of kids, but lacking fortitude when it comes to the bigger teams!

First they stole the players then they went after the eggs.

For the integrity of the competition a Ballycran win was essential. Over a quarter of the Liatroim team shouldnt even be playing for them. (How this was allowed to happen the County Board has a lot to answer) The managers sons are quality players and should be with their own club in Belfast, McCusker should be with his own club, instead of glory hunting, is more suited to intermediate level anyway.

Imagine being a Liatroim player born and bred and then these outsiders coming in and taking your place, and then to stand back and be treated like an idiot. Pathetic stuff.

Having watched a lot of Ports this year was disappointed with their performance yesterday but still fancy them to get over the line in the final.

[lfdown2]

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

Wasn't at it but not surprised as I'd predicted something to happen during the week. 

Liatroim were leading pretty well right into injury time when Ballycran scored two very late goals to win it by two points, it would have been a massive shock for Liatroim to win this one but from all accounts a few decisions didn't go their way at the end or as is the case not given to be more precise.

We'll be very interested in how this pans out considering our U15's along with Carryduff got put out of the U15 championship after our match was abandoned for absolutely next to nothing, two young lads rolling around on the ground, with a few other's pushing and shoving. Thing was over in less than 30 seconds.

Easy making an example of a bunch of kids, but lacking fortitude when it comes to the bigger teams!

First they stole the players then they went after the eggs.

For the integrity of the competition a Ballycran win was essential. Over a quarter of the Liatroim team shouldnt even be playing for them. (How this was allowed to happen the County Board has a lot to answer) The managers sons are quality players and should be with their own club in Belfast, McCusker should be with his own club, instead of glory hunting, is more suited to intermediate level anyway.

Imagine being a Liatroim player born and bred and then these outsiders coming in and taking your place, and then to stand back and be treated like an idiot. Pathetic stuff.

Having watched a lot of Ports this year was disappointed with their performance yesterday but still fancy them to get over the line in the final.

My overarching feeling as a Fontenoy over the weekend is immense pride, we were moments away from having 3 codes in adult finals over the coming weekends. The lads hurled brilliantly yesterday and deserved to come away with the result, however that wasn't to be, there is no doubt that questionable decisions put paid to that, however those are to be expected when you head over the water. The positive thing from a east/south down perspective is that the seeds are been sown at underage to develop hurling which can only benefit the county as a whole, whatever the hurling clubs in the ards think. On the previous post, I would have my own personal thoughts on the personnel, however from a club perspective I would argue that any success (relatively speaking, that would be contesting a senior final for us) at adult level can only breed interest at the underage levels, the reality is that the majority of that squad are Liatroim born and bred and the kids along the line yesterday see them at the field every week and as such will wish to emulate that success if/when it can be achieved.

We head in to this week with an intermediate football final and a senior camogie final to look forward to, and a pitch that is hiving every night of the week, so transfers aside I'm content we are heading in the right direction.

[johnnycool]

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

Wasn't at it but not surprised as I'd predicted something to happen during the week. 

Liatroim were leading pretty well right into injury time when Ballycran scored two very late goals to win it by two points, it would have been a massive shock for Liatroim to win this one but from all accounts a few decisions didn't go their way at the end or as is the case not given to be more precise.

We'll be very interested in how this pans out considering our U15's along with Carryduff got put out of the U15 championship after our match was abandoned for absolutely next to nothing, two young lads rolling around on the ground, with a few other's pushing and shoving. Thing was over in less than 30 seconds.

Easy making an example of a bunch of kids, but lacking fortitude when it comes to the bigger teams!

First they stole the players then they went after the eggs.

For the integrity of the competition a Ballycran win was essential. Over a quarter of the Liatroim team shouldnt even be playing for them. (How this was allowed to happen the County Board has a lot to answer) The managers sons are quality players and should be with their own club in Belfast, McCusker should be with his own club, instead of glory hunting, is more suited to intermediate level anyway.

Imagine being a Liatroim player born and bred and then these outsiders coming in and taking your place, and then to stand back and be treated like an idiot. Pathetic stuff.

Having watched a lot of Ports this year was disappointed with their performance yesterday but still fancy them to get over the line in the final.

My overarching feeling as a Fontenoy over the weekend is immense pride, we were moments away from having 3 codes in adult finals over the coming weekends. The lads hurled brilliantly yesterday and deserved to come away with the result, however that wasn't to be, there is no doubt that questionable decisions put paid to that, however those are to be expected when you head over the water. The positive thing from a east/south down perspective is that the seeds are been sown at underage to develop hurling which can only benefit the county as a whole, whatever the hurling clubs in the ards think. On the previous post, I would have my own personal thoughts on the personnel, however from a club perspective I would argue that any success (relatively speaking, that would be contesting a senior final for us) at adult level can only breed interest at the underage levels, the reality is that the majority of that squad are Liatroim born and bred and the kids along the line yesterday see them at the field every week and as such will wish to emulate that success if/when it can be achieved.

We head in to this week with an intermediate football final and a senior camogie final to look forward to, and a pitch that is hiving every night of the week, so transfers aside I'm content we are heading in the right direction.

I can't speak for our newest member to the forum but I've been on record that the spread of underage hurling championships outside the Ards is good for hurling and a wake up call for the Ards clubs to raise their game and will benefit Down on the whole.
Bredagh are U17 champions, Castlewellan were defaulted the U15 championship with only ourselves from the Ards competing at the A level and Liatroim won the U13 cup competition relatively easily.

I did highlight the flexibility within that area where there's Liatroim lads sanctioned to play for Castlewellan at U15 yet Castlewellan had their own players standing along the line, ditto Liatroim U13's with lads from Castlewellan, Ballela on the field and Liatroim lads standing along the line. I wonder if the short sightedness of winning underage competitions stifles development within the club over the longer term.

It is heartening to go to the primary school blitzes and see teams from all over Down there, Mourne, Warrenpoint, Newry, East Belfast as well as the traditional clubs you'd see at all these types of events.
Long may it continue.

[Ardstick]

That looked a bad enough row between Ballycran & Laotrim in the hurling, supporters over the fence and into the middle of it

I see Liatroim posted on social media that the game was ruined by the ref. Any neutrals see the game and know what that is about?

Wasn't at it but not surprised as I'd predicted something to happen during the week. 

Liatroim were leading pretty well right into injury time when Ballycran scored two very late goals to win it by two points, it would have been a massive shock for Liatroim to win this one but from all accounts a few decisions didn't go their way at the end or as is the case not given to be more precise.

We'll be very interested in how this pans out considering our U15's along with Carryduff got put out of the U15 championship after our match was abandoned for absolutely next to nothing, two young lads rolling around on the ground, with a few other's pushing and shoving. Thing was over in less than 30 seconds.

Easy making an example of a bunch of kids, but lacking fortitude when it comes to the bigger teams!

First they stole the players then they went after the eggs.

For the integrity of the competition a Ballycran win was essential. Over a quarter of the Liatroim team shouldnt even be playing for them. (How this was allowed to happen the County Board has a lot to answer) The managers sons are quality players and should be with their own club in Belfast, McCusker should be with his own club, instead of glory hunting, is more suited to intermediate level anyway.

Imagine being a Liatroim player born and bred and then these outsiders coming in and taking your place, and then to stand back and be treated like an idiot. Pathetic stuff.

Having watched a lot of Ports this year was disappointed with their performance yesterday but still fancy them to get over the line in the final.

My overarching feeling as a Fontenoy over the weekend is immense pride, we were moments away from having 3 codes in adult finals over the coming weekends. The lads hurled brilliantly yesterday and deserved to come away with the result, however that wasn't to be, there is no doubt that questionable decisions put paid to that, however those are to be expected when you head over the water. The positive thing from a east/south down perspective is that the seeds are been sown at underage to develop hurling which can only benefit the county as a whole, whatever the hurling clubs in the ards think. On the previous post, I would have my own personal thoughts on the personnel, however from a club perspective I would argue that any success (relatively speaking, that would be contesting a senior final for us) at adult level can only breed interest at the underage levels, the reality is that the majority of that squad are Liatroim born and bred and the kids along the line yesterday see them at the field every week and as such will wish to emulate that success if/when it can be achieved.

We head in to this week with an intermediate football final and a senior camogie final to look forward to, and a pitch that is hiving every night of the week, so transfers aside I'm content we are heading in the right direction.

I can't speak for our newest member to the forum but I've been on record that the spread of underage hurling championships outside the Ards is good for hurling and a wake up call for the Ards clubs to raise their game and will benefit Down on the whole.
Bredagh are U17 champions, Castlewellan were defaulted the U15 championship with only ourselves from the Ards competing at the A level and Liatroim won the U13 cup competition relatively easily.

I did highlight the flexibility within that area where there's Liatroim lads sanctioned to play for Castlewellan at U15 yet Castlewellan had their own players standing along the line, ditto Liatroim U13's with lads from Castlewellan, Ballela on the field and Liatroim lads standing along the line. I wonder if the short sightedness of winning underage competitions stifles development within the club over the longer term.

It is heartening to go to the primary school blitzes and see teams from all over Down there, Mourne, Warrenpoint, Newry, East Belfast as well as the traditional clubs you'd see at all these types of events.
Long may it continue.

Think your both missing the main point here - of course seeing other teams excel at underage in Down is brilliant, but that's not the issue. There are no issues with amalgamated underage teams, when Senior you just go play for "your" club.

Liatroim have behaved like a premier league team dipping into the markets to get the best players. What's stopping the 3 ards teams next year going fishing around Belfast for a few players to improve their team. ( Wouldn't and shouldn't happen)

How would Liatroim react if Pearse Og or someone similar decided to leave them and go join Kilcoo for a chance at a Senior Championship. Sounds ridiculous I know but that's what has happened here.

The outsiders should go back to their own clubs, Liatroim have a great team without these transfers.

[Walt Jabsco]

Liatroim have every right to feel aggrieved in the way that they were disrespected by the County Board and the media pundits who had them written off before the match. The CB appointed an outside referee for the other semi final thinking that it would be the tougher of the two semis. But was it? In the interests of the integrity of the competition that Ardstick is so worried about both semis should have had outside referees appointed. It also raises the question are there no other referees in Down capable of officiating at this level that don't have skin in the game? If not why not? Ask any Ballycran person involved with the team did they welcome yesterdays refereeing appointment, I think the number that did you could fit them all into a phone box! The Ards teams are not whiter than white in regards to transfers and outsiders playing for them and should be playing for their "own" club - McAllister, Sheehan & Prenter. You could make a case for Prenter all right with RGU not having a hurling team. So how do some of the Ballycran players feel about the two outsiders taking their positions, you can't just pin that scenario on just happening in Liatroim, it is not unique to there. I sense a bit of fear in the Ards that there is a threat to their dominance of the SHC so is it a case of wanting those players to return to where they come from and so dilute the threat. As JC has pointed out on many occasions there will be no underage trophy residing in the Ards for another year but I have no doubt that will change sometime soon.