Down Club Hurling & Football

[snoopdog]

Are there any challenge games arranged for this weekend or next week?

I think they're playing Laois next Saturday in Laois.

I heard Down are playing Kildare next weekend. Prob 2 games.

[Lowballinhigh]

Any word on u20 football panel this year, who to look out for?

[downtothecore]

I dont think they are strong this year asthey are a very young team as the majority of last years team have moved on...

[downtothecore]

Hopefully our seniors progress this year?

[Splash]

Best of luck to Liatroim man Peter Owens refereeing the All Ireland Final today between St Lachtain's and Russell Rovers.

Great to see a Down man getting the nod.

[Splash]

Are there any challenge games arranged for this weekend or next week?

I think they're playing Laois next Saturday in Laois.

Any word how the hurlers got on?

[Lowintotheforwards]

I see that new proposals are being made for the Down SHC/ IHC. This would see the team that wins the IHC group stage going straight into the following year's SHC regardless of how they do in the IHC knock out stages. Seems unfair that a side that beats the 8th, 9th and 10th clubs (in a county with just 14 hurling teams)gets straight to the SHC even though they lose the IHC final and haven't beaten any of the SHC teams. If these changes are made (and I'm not sure what was wrong with the current system which was just bedding in!),  there should at least be a playoff between the losing IHC finalists and the bottom team in the SHC group stage. That would ensure that the best teams qualify for the following year's SHC.

[johnnycool]

Are there any challenge games arranged for this weekend or next week?

I think they're playing Laois next Saturday in Laois.

Any word how the hurlers got on?

Laois won handy enough.

I know Down are carrying a few lads on trial before the panel is trimmed so I'd have expected those lads to have gotten some gametime.

[johnnycool]

I see that new proposals are being made for the Down SHC/ IHC. This would see the team that wins the IHC group stage going straight into the following year's SHC regardless of how they do in the IHC knock out stages. Seems unfair that a side that beats the 8th, 9th and 10th clubs (in a county with just 14 hurling teams)gets straight to the SHC even though they lose the IHC final and haven't beaten any of the SHC teams. If these changes are made (and I'm not sure what was wrong with the current system which was just bedding in!),  there should at least be a playoff between the losing IHC finalists and the bottom team in the SHC group stage. That would ensure that the best teams qualify for the following year's SHC.

Several options to be discussed.

I'd stick with the current format for another year or two to see if there are any trends like yoyo clubs but if you look at last year Carryduff were no push overs and will learn from it.

[Ed Hardy]

Any word on the Down football panel for national league? Roscommon away on Sunday week is very difficult start, a draw would be a good result.

[Lowintotheforwards]

I see that new proposals are being made for the Down SHC/ IHC. This would see the team that wins the IHC group stage going straight into the following year's SHC regardless of how they do in the IHC knock out stages. Seems unfair that a side that beats the 8th, 9th and 10th clubs (in a county with just 14 hurling teams)gets straight to the SHC even though they lose the IHC final and haven't beaten any of the SHC teams. If these changes are made (and I'm not sure what was wrong with the current system which was just bedding in!),  there should at least be a playoff between the losing IHC finalists and the bottom team in the SHC group stage. That would ensure that the best teams qualify for the following year's SHC.

Several options to be discussed.

I'd stick with the current format for another year or two to see if there are any trends like yoyo clubs but if you look at last year Carryduff were no push overs and will learn from it.

Agree 100 % - the proposal which automatically promotes the IHC group winners will inevitably lead to a yo-yo situation.

[Truth hurts]

This week we have some poor score lines for Down schools in their respective competitions. The Red High were destroyed in the McLarnon. Will Down be sending a full time coach to the Red High?

[johnnycool]

This week we have some poor score lines for Down schools in their respective competitions. The Red High were destroyed in the McLarnon. Will Down be sending a full time coach to the Red High?

Lecale Trinity?

They should be sending a coach in for the football and the hurling considering the new size of this school.

[Hard2Listen2]

This week we have some poor score lines for Down schools in their respective competitions. The Red High were destroyed in the McLarnon. Will Down be sending a full time coach to the Red High?

Down GAA don't put full time coaches into any schools.
They put coaches into some primary schools for one session per week.
There used to be Ulster GAA couches in primary schools for younger kids but funding gone for that.

I doubt if there is any money to pay for more coaches let alone full time in any schools

There should be enough suitably qualified teachers in Red High to coach their teams. Plenty of parents also involved in coaching in clubs & possibly county teams.
Same with most of our post primary schools.


Some schools have full time development officers. The Abbey has one & a few Derry schools too but as far as I know these are funded by the school or more likely by generous benefactors.

[No1]

The Red High is dead. The new amalgamation doesn't even have enough teachers to cover classes so I wouldn't be holding out for coaching excellence to come from there anytime soon.