Down Club Hurling & Football

lisdoon1 · January 16, 2008, 10:43:00 PM

Lynch realy did play a stormer tonight. Well chuffed for him as he took a bit of flack on here after the tyrone game. Brilliant to see Doyle back in the red and black and I was very impressed with him.

Connell was good in my eyes tonight & what else can you ask for but a clean sheet. Not sure about McAllister, lest try out the 3 we have & take it from there.

The 13 points conceeded do raise concern, on a bad day 5 goals = 5 wides and the game is much tighter.

Lets look at the positives from tonight & lookforward to UUJ on Saturday.

Is the match defo in Newcastle??

whyarerefssobad · January 16, 2008, 10:44:43 PM

thats a real bad 5 goals=5 wides

western exile · January 16, 2008, 10:51:12 PM

yes, it would be a very bad day. But sometimes luck, or the flow of the game can go against you. If the first 2 attempts went wide, the team may be reluctant to attempt another one, never mind three !
But lisdoons point is will made, a 0-14 to 0-13 game would be a closer scoreline.

But, I agree, let us keep positive and look forward to a potentially good game on Saturday.

passedit · January 16, 2008, 10:59:53 PM

Anybody got he starting fifteen? I assume the 'tullylish lad' was Mc Areavey?

Two very pleasant surprises in Newry tonight.

western exile · January 16, 2008, 11:07:56 PM

Bernard Connell Drumgath
Ciarán McGovern Burren Gary McArdle Annaclone Martin Cole Rostrevor
Colm Murney Rostrevor Liam Doyle Liatroim Kevin McGuigan Shamrocks
Dan Gordon Loughisland Jack Lynch Drumgath
John Fegan Clonduff Kevin McKernan Burren Danny Hughes Saval
John Mc Areavey Tullylish Cathal Magee Mayobridge Ronan Sexton Mayobridge

Mourne Rover · January 16, 2008, 11:26:37 PM

It was a bit of a pinch yourself night, with Down rattling in goals, a DUP minister in the stand and, most amazing of all, a defence looking as though it might be up to the job. Fair enough, we conceded 13 points but most of those were handy frees presented to McFadden by a ref who took sympathy on Donegal in the second half.

The single most encouraging aspect was provided by McArdle, who survived a few hairy moments but at long last is a big strong full back with a bit of pace. It was also great to finally see Doyle at CHB, and, although he was carrying some extra pounds and took a while to adjust to the pace, showed a touch of class when he started to carry the ball out of defence.

Lynch had a stormer, and got a peach of a goal and two even better points, while Dan was also excellent and all the forwards were buzzing. It was only a McKenna Cup game, and Donegal had thrown the towel in long before the end, but we might just have something to build on here.

The atmosphere under the floodlights was great, and could give us plenty of momentum for the Saturday night games in the NFL. Has anyone worked out the likely winning margin we will need against UUJ to make the McKenna semi finals ?

never kickt a ball · January 16, 2008, 11:28:32 PM

Quote from: Mourne Rover on January 16, 2008, 11:26:37 PM
It was a bit of a pinch yourself night, with Down rattling in goals, a DUP minister in the stand and, most amazing of all, a defence looking as though it might be up to the job. Fair enough, we conceded 13 points but most of those were handy frees presented to McFadden by a ref who took sympathy on Donegal in the second half.

The single most encouraging aspect was provided by McArdle, who survived a few hairy moments but at long last is a big strong full back with a bit of pace. It was also great to finally see Doyle at CHB, and, although he was carrying some extra pounds and took a while to adjust to the pace, showed a touch of class when he started to carry the ball out of defence.

Lynch had a stormer, and got a peach of a goal and two even better points, while Dan was also excellent and all the forwards were buzzing. It was only a McKenna Cup game, and Donegal had thrown the towel in long before the end, but we might just have something to build on here.

The atmosphere under the floodlights was great, and could give us plenty of momentum for the Saturday night games in the NFL. Has anyone worked out the likely winning margin we will need against UUJ to make the McKenna semi finals ?

A win of any kind and you're through.

http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=919.1050 page 71 Scroll down for the tables.

amallon · January 16, 2008, 11:34:09 PM

A great Down performance tonight, just a pity Donegal didn't play their strongest team as Ross had hoped for earlier in the week. Jackie Lynch put in a great performance and got a great ovation from the 2100 crowd when he was taken off with 10ish to go. Doyle had a great game at CHB. The new fella McAreavey had a a clinker every thing he touched turned to gold. I'll reserve judgement on him until he comes up against a meaner defence. Same goes for John Fegan who had a good game too. Cathal Magee didn't have a great game and probably has blown his chance for this year with the county. Connell made a great save to deny a ceratin goal but I didn't much of his kick outs and he scares me under a high ball.

Ross did two things that most Down supporters have been looking for since he took over. He played Doyle at CHB and brought John Clarke on in full forward. Clarke wasn't long enough to be rated though.

We need to start winning games even if they are only McKenna cup games. The Poly will be a more realistic acid test. I really enjoyed the game its just what Down needed.

lisdoon1 · January 16, 2008, 11:39:54 PM

Lets enjoy tonights win & hope we can build.

To add to the glory, lets also remember McComiskey has yet to come into the frame

he was Queens top marksman tonight - again

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7193079.stm

western exile · January 16, 2008, 11:47:35 PM

Judging by the tables, a win over UUJ will put us into the semis as group winners.

However, by my calculations, we could afford to lose by a small margin and still stay ahead of Fermanagh as best group runners up?

Dr McKenna Cup Tables

Section A Played Won Draw Lost Points For Against Scoring Average
Derry 3 3 0 0 6 46 28 1.400
Fermanagh 3 2 0 1 4 43 37 1.162
St Mary's 3 0 1 2 1 41 52 0.788
Armagh 3 2 1 2 1 29 42 0.690

Section B Played Won Draw Lost Points For Against Scoring Average
UUJ 2 2 0 0 4 31 24 1.292
Down 2 1 0 1 2 39 27 1.444
Tyrone 3 1 0 2 2 34 34 1.000
Donegal 3 1 0 2 2 27 30 0.900

Remaining fixture: UUJ v Down at Newcastle

Section C Played Won Draw Lost Points For Against Scoring Average
Cavan 3 1 0 1 4 40 33 1.212
QUB 3 2 0 0 4 37 39 0.948
Monaghan 3 1 0 2 2 36 32 1.125
Antrim 3 1 0 2 2 31 40 0.755

Cavan, Derry and then two from UUJ, Down and Fermanagh

western exile · January 16, 2008, 11:49:11 PM

having said that, a win and a good performance again are preferred to just making the semi-final

never kickt a ball · January 16, 2008, 11:54:04 PM

Quote from: western exile on January 16, 2008, 11:47:35 PM
Judging by the tables, a win over UUJ will put us into the semis as group winners.

However, by my calculations, we could afford to lose by a small margin and still stay ahead of Fermanagh as best group runners up?

That will leave you on 2 points and Fermanagh on 4 points and they would go through. Steady on western.

western exile · January 16, 2008, 11:56:12 PM

Apologies !! I was only looking at scoring average. I forgot about points! Doh!!!!

So, a win is required then folks !

never kickt a ball · January 17, 2008, 12:02:20 AM

Quote from: western exile on January 16, 2008, 11:56:12 PM
Apologies !! I was only looking at scoring average. I forgot about points! Doh!!!!

So, a win is required then folks !

A cracking result Western. Easy to get carried away.

T O Hare · January 17, 2008, 01:54:35 AM

unexpected win but a great boost.. though i dont think we should get carried away, donegal were dire and the space the afforded the players was inexcusable, we had so much space at times that our players were taking too many toe taps and losing possession, this is the sort of play which has cost us dear in recent years, i thought everyone done reasonably well especially mc ardle, doyle , jackie and john mc.. Mallon, i thought big cathal showed glimpses of his potential, that was his first start and looked a bit nervous, a good run with the u21's should bring him on, we are short of big mobile players so i think ross will coach him along...
big jackie is our francie bellew.. hes gives everything and puts himself about..
a great boost all the same!!!!!!!!!!