Down Club Hurling & Football

snoopdog · February 14, 2026, 09:58:39 PM

Quote from: Aristo 60 on February 14, 2026, 09:13:01 PMToo many subs made too early. Wasnt enough resp3ct shown to W3stmeath when we knew they'd be strong opposition. Had there been 5 mins injury time we might have let that slip.

I hope the scoring difference we could have had doesnt come back to bite us later but hopefully not as Div 3 is a fairly forgiving place for us thus far.

Agree. Emptying the bench nearly bit us in the ass. 3 wins, but none comfortable. Looking fwd to Wexford next sunday.

LosDodgers · February 15, 2026, 11:22:20 AM

For 50 odd minutes we were excellent. First half Murdock & Guinness were top class. Played the conditions well and were in complete control. I like McEvoy in at Full Back too, gives us a bit more of a physical presence at back and also offers a late attacking option.

Last 20 we took foot off the gas and allowed them to creep back into the game...which then became quite uncomfortable! No idea why Barry doesn't tap over that free which would have settled us and put 7 in it...instead it went to 3!

Positives - we are almost certain for promotion now and get a league final at Croker.

Ceile Doc was great again and is on top form. Annet, Crimmins & McPolin again
decent.

Negatives - Pat was quiet again and we still need to find a top quality scoring forward. McGeogh is doing as well as can be expected but isn't the sort to shoot the lights out.

urbangael · February 15, 2026, 12:03:13 PM

When Murdock drifts out of the game the opposition really get on top. If we lost him we'd be distinctly average. He could easily start for any team in Ireland. Despite scoring heavily in the league so far we still lack and an out and out scoring forward. Big Pat quiet but hopefully as conditions improve he'll get back to banging over 2 pointers. McPolin and Crimmins definitely good finds and add value to the team. 2 points away to Wexford and we've 1 foot in Div 2. No game has been conformable yet.

Dayman · February 15, 2026, 02:41:32 PM

Quote from: LosDodgers on February 15, 2026, 11:22:20 AMFor 50 odd minutes we were excellent. First half Murdock & Guinness were top class. Played the conditions well and were in complete control. I like McEvoy in at Full Back too, gives us a bit more of a physical presence at back and also offers a late attacking option.

I dunno, he was in front of us that second half and looked absolutely exhausted, he really should have been taken off. Murdock obviously immense, what a player. Is Kerr coming back this year at all? With Magill out he's really missed.

3 wins out of 3 is great, but none were particularly convincing. Still promotion is all that matters and with Weford losing today a win next week probably gets us into the Div 3 final.

LosDodgers · February 15, 2026, 03:30:06 PM

I think Pearse Laverty deserves a lot of praise too, did a great job on Luke Laughlin last night who is a top marksman - one score from play which was a ridiculously good 2 pointer into the wind!

Last game he also did great on James Naughton who hit 1-6 today. Super man-marker.

LosDodgers · February 15, 2026, 03:31:45 PM

Quote from: Dayman on February 15, 2026, 02:41:32 PM
Quote from: LosDodgers on February 15, 2026, 11:22:20 AMFor 50 odd minutes we were excellent. First half Murdock & Guinness were top class. Played the conditions well and were in complete control. I like McEvoy in at Full Back too, gives us a bit more of a physical presence at back and also offers a late attacking option.

I dunno, he was in front of us that second half and looked absolutely exhausted, he really should have been taken off. Murdock obviously immense, what a player. Is Kerr coming back this year at all? With Magill out he's really missed.

3 wins out of 3 is great, but none were particularly convincing. Still promotion is all that matters and with Weford losing today a win next week probably gets us into the Div 3 final.

As far as I know Kerr is part of the panel but recovering from injury. If we get him and Danny Magill back for Championship in the better weather and a fully matchfit Barry O'Hagan that's some boost to the forward line.

Blackandblue2 · February 16, 2026, 02:51:43 PM

Great performance for 50 mins last night, made Westmeath look very average. Murdock out of the game for 15 mins and Down looked very ordinary, would be a worry being so reliant on him- but what a player. Subs brought on didnt really work but dont think they were to blame for come back- few strange decision near the end from players, im sure they will review them and discuss game management

snoopdog · February 17, 2026, 08:08:22 AM

I supoose the question on Odhran is why does he go missing for periods in games. Maybe not fully fit or carrying a but of an injury. He looked to have landed hard on his right shoulder early in 2nd half.
An absolutely magnificent footballer. Id say if we get the win in wexford He might get a breather v Fermanagh .

LosDodgers · February 17, 2026, 03:38:34 PM

I think it's genuinely just the way he plays, he is involved in every single play - both attacking and defensively. It's hard for any player to maintain that. Even likes of Daniel Guinness who is a very powerful runner, you will see him sit out of an attack to get a breather.

It might be a case of having to give Odhran 5-10 mins in at Full forward just to give him a breather - but then who do you replace him with in midfield?

Otherwise maybe you play him at 11 and take away some of his defensive duties, which would have been my preference but Ceile Doc has been outstanding at 11 last 2 games and I feel that's his best position.

Ed Hardy · Reply #44334 - Re: Down Club Hurling & Football

Just wondering if Owen McCabe is back with the county squad this year? He has had an awful run with injuries ever since that Mayo game in Newry 4 years ago. Always had plenty of potential I thought.

Andrew Gilmore involved currently? I know he too has had an awful run with injuries.

statto · Reply #44335 - Re: Down Club Hurling & Football

Quote from: Ed Hardy on Today at 08:44:44 AMJust wondering if Owen McCabe is back with the county squad this year? He has had an awful run with injuries ever since that Mayo game in Newry 4 years ago. Always had plenty of potential I thought.

Andrew Gilmore involved currently? I know he too has had an awful run with injuries.

Saw Gilmore play underage and thought he was a very exciting prospect for Down. I had totally forgot about him went off the radar very quickly.

LosDodgers · Reply #44336 - Re: Down Club Hurling & Football

There has a been a string of players given a chance at Full forward over last 3 or 4 years - and there is certainly a slot for someone to grab.

Gilmore, Oisin Savage, Conor McCrickard, Eamon Brown, Seamie Loughran and now Donal Scullion & Jamie Doran...

All seem to have the ability and perform at club level but none seem to have really grabbed the jersey or been given a long enough run.

Is this because they aren't good enough or just not built for inter-county football yet?