Down Club Hurling & Football

[Bitta-Banter]

Down team v Tyrone
Brendan McVeigh
Damian Rafferty
Kevin McKernan
Martin Cole
Conor Garvey (0-1)
Louis Sloan
Hugh Davey (0-2)
Joseph Ireland (0-1)
Jackie Lynch       
John Fegan (0-4)
John Boyle (0-1)
Ronan Sexton
Michael Magee (0-3)
Cathal Magee
Daniel Hughes (0-2)
SUB: Coulter (0-2)

Tyrone team v Down
Devine
Swift
Donnelly
Magee
Harte
S Cavanagh (0-1)
Jordan
Cassidy
Hub
Mellon
Devlin (0-1)
Dorris
Mulgrew(0-1)
O'Neill (0-6)
Mcguigan

Joe McMahon on for McGuigan
Enda McGinley on for Dorris
Penrose on for Mellon
Holmes on for McGinley blood sub

[guevara]

Boys lets not get carried away here as we seem to do most years!!
Tyrone were poor I thought & the holiday/ training camp in Orlando probably showed. In the first half I thought it was even enough but Tyrone's shooting was awful. O'Neill gave McKernan a very tough time. Any good ball he got in he showed his undoubted class & tore us apart. It was only bad service in the game that kept him so quiet & this was totally evident in the 2nd half. He looked seriously pissed off with ball into him.

I thought Louis Sloan was very solid at CHB & Davey done well at wing half. This week our midfield won the battle & set up a base from which to launch a lot of attacks through break ball.
Boyle was good again, but Cavanagh looked a shadow of the player we seen last year not once did he try and take the man on or get up the field really.

Danny Hughes once again proved to be frustrating. Seems to always want to do the impossible. I counted 6 or 7 times we had Tyrone on the back foot & he had guys storming inside him but always refuses to lay it off causing attacks to break down & team getting caught on the attack.

Benny looked in great shape just hope he can stay injury free. Think today showed Cathal Magee isn't answer at full forward poor handling & against a taller stronger full back than last week got little change.

One final note ref was a lot better today no ticking for silly fouls, no yellow cards for nothing challenges. Maybe they were told after last weeks disaster to hold back on the cards?

[Open yer eyes Man]

I appreciate we shouldn't get carried away alright as this time last year we were the best team in Ireland and look where it got us.

Still very encouraging to see some of the lads who are getting a chance, actually showing genuine appetite and not being just prepared to make up the numbers.

Defensively, I thought the two Shamrocks men played consistently though not sure about Mc Kernan at full back.  Midfield was a great bonus.  Jackie goes through alot of dirty work and Ireland showed real promise but he needs to keep it going.  Up front, Boyle was alot more creative than he was last week, probably better further up the field but not sure just how interested Cavanagh was at centre half back.  Hughes baffles me at times.  He can be so good when he does the simple things but over complicates things so he can do 'his wee thing' with the ball. 

Overall another encouraging performance but its still January.

[Open yer eyes Man]

Down take positive step in defence of their Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup with win over Tyrone

Down took another positive step in the defence of their Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup title with a win over All-Ireland champions Tyrone in front of a crowd of 3,750 in Newry on Sunday.

Taken from www.gaa.ie

Down made a lively start with scores from Conor Garvey and Michael Magee, but the sides were level three times in the opening quarter, Raymond Mulgrew and Stephen ONeill on target for Tyrone.
Two superb long-range scores, kicked into the gusting breeze by wing-back Hugh Davey, helped the Mourne men pull two points clear by the 27th minute, but the Red Hands finished the first half strongly when newcomer Gareth Devlin raced through for a fine individual point, before ONeill brought his tally to three.
Down crafted a goal chance in the dying moments of the half when Danny Hughes sent Ronan Sexton through, but Cavanagh saved the day with a wonderful tackle.
The sides were deadlocked on 0-6 each at the break, and Cavanagh kicked Tyrone ahead for the first time six minutes into the second-half.
The home support were bracing themselves for an onslaught from the All-Ireland champions, but it was Down who turned on the power with a devastating final 20 minutes.
They simply blew the Red Hands away, hitting nine points without reply. John Fegan, John Boyle, Magee, Daniel Hughes and substitute Danny Hughes all hit quality scores as the Tyrone challenge crumbled.
Even the introduction of more big guns from the bench could not turn the tide for a Tyrone side that in all called on 11 players who helped beat Kerry back in September.
But it was another good day at the office for Ross Carrs men, and while the Down boss was remaining cautious in his reflections on this thumping win, he saw many positives after his side demolished the Tyrone challenge in a one-sided final 20 minutes.
"Were very happy, but I think we have got to put it in perspective too," Down boss Ross Carr admitted.
"You had a team who have won the All-Ireland and have just come back from a fortnights holidays on Friday. Were delighted with our own work, but youve got to put it in perspective too.
"We asked the boys last week and again today to use it as a training session, and thats
what theyre doing. Theyre trying to blow out the cobwebs from the break, but again I wouldnt go overboard on it either.
"Were very happy with the way we played, but we know that there are massive tasks ahead."
Down: B McVeigh, D Rafferty, M Cole, C Garvey [0-1], K McKernan, L Sloan, H Davey [0-2], J Lynch, J Ireland [0-1], R Sexton, J Boyle [0-1], D Hughes [0-2], J Fegan [0-3, 2f], C Magee, M Magee [0-4, 3f].
Subs: A Carr for McKernan [H/T], K Duffin for Rafferty [45], B Coulter [0-2] for C Magee [48]
Tyrone: J Devine, M Swift, P Donnelly, M McGee, D Harte, S Cavanagh [0-1], P Jordan, K Hughes, A Cassidy, R Mellon, C Doris, G Devlin [0-1], R Mulgrew [0-1], S ONeill [0-5, 3f], T McGuigan [0-1].
Subs: J McMahon for McGuigan [H/T] E McGinley for Doris [50], M Penrose for Mellon [52]
Referee: P Hughes [Armagh]
Wides: Down 12, Tyrone 8
Yellow cards: None

[5 Sams]

Shockin poor ball into the full forward line all day...
How many times did the Tyrone FB line get easy ball into their hands..
When Benny came on he was making great runs and the h Backs/h Forwrads couldnt deliver it.
Impressed with Davey..got forward well and took a couple of great scores....
Boyle looked at home at CHF but I'd like to see if he would be as good in the league never mind the championship...
Ireland did v well and big Jackie did nothing wrong...


But as I said this time last year...it's January and in the immortal words of Harvey Kietel...let's not start sucking each others dicks just yet.

[downredblack]

Great to beat the AI champions at any time of the year and a good confidence boost for the team , First trip into the new stand yesterday and was very impressed and the cup of soup at h/t was welcome . What does the stand hold ? 3750 attendance there wasn't too many standing the far side .
Hopefully the lads can get something against Monaghan and get another match or 2 before the league starts .

[T O Hare]

another good performance yesterday.. its looking like a Down v Armagh semi-final!!!!

[BRIDGE LAD]

Shockin poor ball into the full forward line all day...
How many times did the Tyrone FB line get easy ball into their hands..
When Benny came on he was making great runs and the h Backs/h Forwrads couldnt deliver it.
Impressed with Davey..got forward well and took a couple of great scores....
Boyle looked at home at CHF but I'd like to see if he would be as good in the league never mind the championship...
Ireland did v well and big Jackie did nothing wrong...


But as I said this time last year...it's January and in the immortal words of Harvey Kietel...let's not start sucking each others dicks just yet.


Just to echo your comment about Benny, Danny Hughes had the ball in around wing half forward area and would not look up when benny was at least ten yards free of his man. If these lads wont supply our best player with the ball how can he get the scores. You could see the difference in Down when Benny came on. Michael Magee started making good runs of the ball and also to receive the ball, maybe big Cathal lacking a little experience.  Aidan Carr played very well at full back, was talking to a fella that told me he played there for championship winning Down team in New York, although a world apart, but still has some experience in that position. Overall a steady performance from most of the team!

[guevara]

To be fair Stephen O'Neill got very little good ball all day but in particular in the 2nd half when Tyrone's passing into him was shocking. Time & time again they either put the ball over the sideline or kicked aimless high ball in.
So it was hard to judge Carr at FB. The good ball O'Neill did get the first 20 Min's he destroyed McKernan in terms of pace & skill

On the Hughes point I think he didn't have great game last week either. He seems content as long as he on the scoreboard as opposed to taking the best option & giving the ball to man in space.
Again we seemed to try a lot of Garryowen balls into the fullforward line. Even when Benny was in there we got very little from it.
The diagonal ball into the space gave Coulter the chance to use his speed & power to create some great scores.
Also finally credit to Big Jackie not the most glamorous of players but he tore into Tyrone's midfield all day. Hes great at winning dirty ball & unlike last week got help in the midfield area from Ireland. He may not be a Dara O'Se but what he lacks in skill & style he makes up for in effort & hard hitting!

[No1]

2009 Managers (Updated)


Division 1

Mayobridge - Mattie McGleenan + Pascal Cananvan (Bridge poster to confirm?)
Kilcoo - Jim McCorry
Bryansford - Pete McGrath
Castlewellan - Liam Hardy
Loughinisland - Gary Mason/Gerard Colgan
Burren - Damien Barton
Warrenpoint -
Rostrevor - John Rafferty
Longstone - Frank Dawson
Liatroim - Jarlath Austin
Clonduff -
Saval - Declan Morgan


Division 2

An Riocht - Stephen Poacher
Glasdrumman - Hugh Trainor
Carryduff - PJ O'Hare
Annaclone - Steven McVeigh
Banbridge - Tony Wilson
Shamrocks -
Ballymartin - Johnny McComiskey
Atticall -
Darragh Cross - Eamon Burns
Downpatrick - Kyran Smyth
Kilclief - John Kane
Ballyholland - Terry McGivern/Glen Elmore


Division 3

St Johns - Gerard McAnulty/Seamus Braniff/Donard King
Ardglass -
Bredagh - Kevin Blaney/Jody Gormley
Drumaness - Bill Geoghegan
Tullylish - Tom Morgan
Aghaderg -
St Pauls - Frankie Wilson
Glenn -
Saul - Jim Prior
Teconnaught - Brendan Mason
Dundrum - Paul Shields
Drumgath - Mickey Linden


Division 4

Aughlisnafin - Philip McGrattan/Gerard McCartan
Bosco - Paddy McEvoy
Dromara -
Mitchels -
St Michaels -
Ballykinlar - Sean McCashin
Bright -

[Dulaney]

Not sure wat the situation is in the Bridge but i think thats a bit of a wind up. Mattie McGleenan and Pascal Canavan are not up for the bridge job as far as i know!!

[goldenyears]

AS last season showed, Tyrone can bounce back from defeat by Down in Newry and go on to achieve great things. Neither manager read too much into an unprepared visiting side losing to in-form hosts, but the Red Hands' boss Mickey Harte knows rapid improvement is required ahead of their League opener at Croke Park at the end of the month.

"We were only back on Friday [from the team holiday in Florida] with a lot of those players. It's always difficult in the first game of the season, a few cobwebs to be sorted out,

mis-handling of the ball and stuff like that. That's what you expect.

"We'd need to get it out of our system pretty quickly because it's only 20 days until we play Dublin. That wouldn't do on the 31st of January. We have to learn from it and try and do better."

Harte gave credit to the victors, admitting: "Down were very well up for the game, they've a game behind them and they're looking pretty sharp. We did our best to deal with it and I suppose we did for 40 minutes or so, but as the game went on their superior fitness and teamwork showed in the end."

Still, the Tyrone manager acknowledged that "we're very disappointed in the second half. We don't like to let a game slip away like that.

"The people who came from Tyrone would have expected more. I know that and the players know that. They're very disappointed but they gave it their best shot, considering it's their first outing of the season you can't ask for more than that.

"It would be crazy to expect a fluent performance from people who only walked out onto the field together today."

Harte pointed to a few positives, including Aidan Cassidy at midfield, and Gareth Devlin and Stephen O'Neill in attack, and also hinted that Sean Cavanagh was only a stop-gap at centre half-back: "Maybe it's that we had more forwards available to us today than defenders. He's a man for any job, I think he could play anywhere anyway."

Down boss Ross Carr took a similarly sensible view of the match, saying: "We're very happy but you have to put it into perspective. You'd a team that won the All-Ireland and was just back from a fortnight's

holiday on Friday afternoon. We're delighted with our own work but you've got to put it in perspective.

"We wouldn't go overboard. We're very happy with the way we played but we know that there'll be massive tasks ahead."

The Clonduff clubman insisted he'd selected a barely altered side because Down have "not too many players – with injuries and this 'flu' that's going about, we literally only have 20

players and a couple of goalkeepers."

He praised the only outfield change, saying "Martin Cole came in and did well", and also his son in an unfamiliar role after Kevin McKernan was forced off by injury: "Aidan [Carr] had to go to full-back and did okay. Jack [Lynch] and Joe [Ireland] in the middle of the field upped their game, but everybody did well."

[goldenyears]

THERE'S quite some difference between sunny Florida and a wet and windy Newry and Down made the most of Tyrone's struggle to acclimatise after their team holiday.

The Red Hands matched their hosts for around 40 minutes, even taking the lead shortly after that stage, but the Mournemen's superior preparation and fitness was emphatically evident after that.

Tyrone metaphorically ran out of steam and into a brick wall, their hopes not helped by losing Allstar midfielder Enda McGinley to a wound only five minutes after his introduction, although Down were already pulling away.

Indeed, the Gaelic Life Dr McKenna Cup holders reeled off a run of nine points without reply from the 46th to the 68th minutes to blow away the All-Ireland champions, who would have suffered a double scores defeat but for the final point of the match, a free converted by Stephen O'Neill. That made him the top scorer in this match and his class was clear at full-forward, despite some understandable handling errors, although he did not do as much damage after Aidan Carr replaced Kevin McKernan, who went off with a hamstring injury.

The quality of Benny Coulter in that key attacking role is also unquestioned, and it was no coincidence that Down's dominance followed from his introduction in the 50th minute. The Mayobridge man notched two points from play, to match O'Neill's contribution in that category, and was also fouled for two frees converted by colleagues.

Down's better conditioning was obviously a major factor, but there were also some impressive cameos from players trying to stake claims for starting slots.

Left half-back Hugh Davey, on his Newry Shamrocks' home turf, kicked two lovely left-footed points before the break, while John Fegan improved after the interval at right half-forward, getting involved around centrefield too.

Down boss Ross Carr selected almost the same less than half-strength side that started against St Mary's, with just two personnel changes, and only one of those outfield. Brendan McVeigh replaced Michael McAllister in goals, while Martin Cole returned to the defence, indirectly replacing Stephen Kearney, with John Boyle moving up from the back to operate at centre half-forward, to good effect.

That pitted him against a shock name in the Tyrone number six jersey as boss Mickey Harte sprang another of his surprises, not only in fielding Sean Cavanagh, but by doing so at centre half-back.

With Allstar full-back Justin McMahon on duty with St Mary's, Peter Donnelly reverted to his club role manning the defensive square and held Cathal Magee scoreless, although he could not contain Coulter.

The game sprang into life in the opening minute with the first score, from Down right wing-back Conor Garvey, and the home side had the better of the game thereafter, despite briefly going behind to a point from the roving Raymond Mulgrew.

However, Down shot seven wides to Tyrone's five in the first half and the team turned around level at half-time after a sweet score from O'Neill made it six points apiece.

The tit-for-tat nature of the contest continued early on in the second half, but then it became almost one-way traffic for the last half-hour as Carr's men drove forward.

Corner-forward Daniel Hughes became increasingly influential, in conjunction with Fegan and Coulter, and a tiring Tyrone were getting tanned in a bad way.

Donnelly at least prevented their goal being breached with a catch on the line after Coulter rose above 'keeper John Devine to fist the ball, and O'Neill had the last word from a free, but Down had long since secured a convincing victory.

MATCH STATS

Down: B McVeigh; D Rafferty, K McKernan, M Cole; C Garvey (0-1), L Sloan, H Davey (0-2); J Lynch, J Ireland (0-1); J Fegan (0-3, 0-2 frees), J Boyle (0-1), R Sexton; M Magee (0-4, 0-3 frees), C Magee, D Hughes (0-2).

Subs: A Carr for McKernan (h-t), K Duffin for Rafferty (47), B Coulter (0-2) for C Magee (50).

Tyrone: J Devine; M Swift, P Donnelly, M McGee; D Harte, S Cavanagh (0-1), P Jordan; K Hughes, A Cassidy; R Mellon, C Doris, G Devlin (0-1);

R Mulgrew (0-1), S O'Neill (0-5, 0-3 frees), T McGuigan (0-1).

Subs: Joe McMahon for McGuigan

(h-t), E McGinley for Doris (53),

M Penrose for Mellon (57).

Blood sub: C Holmes for McGinley (58-end).

Referee: P Hughes (Armagh).

[goldenyears]

ENDA McGinley wasn't pleased to be on the wrong end of yesterday's result at Pairc Esler, but the Allstar midfielder thinks the 70 minutes of football should serve to "awaken" the jetlagged Tyrone squad.

McGinley himself only lasted five minutes before his substitute appearance was cut short by a cut, just a few days after arriving back from a team holiday in Florida.

"It is not nice getting beaten, but we failed to maintain our momentum in the second half and Down moved up a gear.

"I suppose jetlag caught up with the boys, but it was a good game and one that should awaken us for the rest of the games ahead," he said.

He said that they would have to look at their performance and plan for the NFL games ahead, the first of which is against Dublin in Croke Park in three weeks' time.

McGinley, who starts a new position in Craigavon Area Hospital this morning, said the McKenna Cup is a good opener for the season and gives both players and managers a chance to assess where they are fitness-wise.

"We have three good games in the McKenna Cup. We play St Mary's in Omagh on Wednesday night and then have Monaghan again in Healy Park next Sunday.

"This Section B is a tough section but it will give Mickey Harte a chance to formalise his panel for the NFL.

"The young lads are doing well and the competition for places is keen. We will just have to wait and see where we can improve.

"We have not trained since the All-Ireland final, so these three games will be a big help in regaining fitness and teamwork."

Stephen O'Neill, back again at full-forward, showed much of his undoubted class yesterday.

"We played very well in the first half and deserved to be level at half-time. In fact, we were well there for 45 minutes," he said.

"We have done no training, and I suppose jetlag played a major part, especially in the final quarter.

"But it was good to be back in competitive football again. This game was a wake-up call. Our next two games should go a long way to regaining our fitness."

Down's star forward and the 'find' of the competition so far, Michael Magee, who finished the team's top scorer with four points, was pleased with the result.

The Ardglass clubman, who also starred against St Mary's last week said: "We finished strongly and the bit of indoor training we have done showed through in the final 20 minutes.

"It was a most enjoyable game. We should have had more scores in the first half, but we were much more accurate in the second half.

"Winning is a great boost and these two victories have given the side a lot of confidence."

Down 'keeper Brendan McVeigh praised the defence for their showing in both last week's game against St Mary's and also yesterday.

"The defence was magnificent," he said.

"They tackled, covered and blocked and gave me great cover. We have yet to concede a goal and that is proof enough of our defence.

"Today was my first game of the season but Michael McAllister last week also had a great game. It is great to get a good competitive game as we prepare for the NFL."

[goldenyears]

how many clubs in down have had a paid manager, or currently have? has it worked, is it working??

No need for paid bosses to remain GAA taboo Against the Breeze
By Paddy Heaney
13/01/09

HERE'S a question to get you thinking on this fine Tuesday. Why is it wrong to pay a

manager in the GAA?

If you're like me, then your gut response will be: 'It just is.' Then, after further consideration, you will note that the GAA is an amateur organisation and that it is supposed to be organised, governed, and played by volunteers.

Ever since it came into vogue, the business of paying managers has always been considered a

subversive and shady enterprise.

The first chequebook clubs were widely ridiculed and criticised by neighbours that were quick to seize the moral high ground. But then, as one-by-one the majority joined the minority, the cat-calling became more and more muted.

Nowadays, there's a deafening silence. The attitude towards paying managers is similar to the views on infidelity. People know it's not right, but they accept it as the norm.

In this respect, yours truly is no different to the broad church of GAA supporters, and this column has frequently taken cheap pot-shots at recipients of the brown envelopes.

However, those days are over.

Because after examining the whole issue of professional managers, I can no longer understand why it really is such a problem, or indeed, why it even contravenes the GAA's rules.

My 'Road To Damascus' conversion on this issue started when I travelled to Croke Park at the end of last year for the launch of the GAA's strategic plan.

Following an intensive consultation exercise, the six-year plan was compiled by Hutton/Kelly Consultants, a professional company, who were legitimately reimbursed for their efforts.

Paraic Duffy, the GAA's highly-respected director-general, has taken ownership of the project and stated that he is willing to be judged on the results. Duffy is another salaried professional.

And, while speaking at the official launch, Duffy willingly acknowledged that the success and failure of the strategic plan hinges largely on the GAA's network of full-time administrators who will try and roll it out to the county boards.

These full-time county secretaries and provincial council employees will be responsible for motivating, encouraging and showing the

volunteer members of county boards how to meet the targets set out in the strategic plan.

Therefore the basic scenario we are faced with is this: it's okay to employ full-time administrators to raise the standards of volunteer administrators. However, it's not okay to employ full-time managers to raise the standards of volunteer footballers.

Can someone explain what is the major difference? The amateur ethos argument doesn't wash. If the GAA was strictly amateur, no one would get paid a shilling.

Furthermore, consider the reasons which are used to justify employing full-time administrators: it's too heavy a workload for a volunteer; no-one is willing do it for nothing; and the GAA benefits from the expertise of a professional.

The same arguments also apply to football and hurling managers. In some clubs and counties, it's simply impossible to find an individual who will dedicate 20 to 40 hours a week free of charge.

In other cases, clubs and counties realise that their players and teams will benefit from the input of a qualified and respected coach, who requires payment.

In many instances, it has proved to be money well spent.

Think of the example where a club has gone through its quota of managers who are members of that club. They are good, well-intentioned men, who nevertheless lack the know-how of a trained coach.

Under a proper coach, a fresh voice who costs a few quid, training sessions are properly structured. Players are stimulated by learning new techniques and derive greater enjoyment from playing in a team that has been trained properly.

If a paid manager can keep players involved in the game, if he can improve the standards of play, if he can provide an example of best practice for others at the club to follow, then why is it a considered a breach of the rules to employ someone who can produce such benefits?

Of course, for every top-class paid manager, there are half-a-dozen charlatans who are merely in it for the easy cash.

Again, the exact same argument can be levelled at the GAA's full-time administrators and coaching officers – a professional body that has its fair share of premium class phoneys and bluffers.

Apart from being wholly inconsistent with its own rules, there are other reasons why the GAA should legitimise the payment of managers.

For starters, all the attempts to police or monitor the illicit payment of managers have proved utterly futile. And because the behaviour is considered a breach of the rules, it has led to solid GAA members engaging in all manner of dodgy book-keeping and other forms of shifty dealing in order to mask these tax-free hand-outs.

This is an unnecessary imposition on men who would otherwise be fairly law-abiding individuals.

The ban on paying managers has also cast an unnecessary cloud over hundreds of fine and

upstanding members of the GAA.

Yes, we can all think of the shameless mercenaries. But there are also countless examples of quality gaels who are somehow deemed to have compromised their integrity by accepting payment for their sought-after services.

Again, this shouldn't be the case, particularly when you can think of individuals who have devoted their lives to coaching children and adults free of charge. Why shouldn't they be allowed to profit from their professional

expertise?

The GAA has accepted that is requires the employment of full-time administrators and coaches in order to meet the challenges that it faces in promoting the game and dealing with the competition from rival codes.

It's high time that the Association recognised the necessity of paid managers, who, like full-time administrators, are merely trying to raise the standards of the volunteers around them.

The bucks, however, must stop there.