Down Club Hurling & Football

[supersub]

WhAt was last nights lineup?

[Trevor Hill]

Our difficulty is that we clearly have strength in depth for some positions, but our first choice defence still needs to take shape and we are still relying very heavily on a small number of key figures overall.

We need to get our first choice defence sorted and settled for the first game of the national league. Kildare will be a step above anything we have played in the last few years. Could we play Martin Clarke at centre half back and use McKernan and Colgan in the full back line? He is certainly more than capable of playing in defence, but I get the feeling that is a role he may not want.

[umpire]

WhAt was last nights lineup?

1. Declan Alder (Carryduff)
27. Stephen Toner (Bryansford)
12. Brendan McArdle (Annaclone)
4. Damien Rafferty (Newry Shamrocks)
19. Sean Parr (Rostrevor)
25. James Colgan (An Riocht)
7. Conor Garvey (Mayobridge)
8. Ambrose Rodgers (Longstone)
20. Paul Greenan (Kilcoo)
10. Martin Clarke (An Riocht)
11. Mark Poland (Longstone)
30. Stephen Kearney (Saval)
29. John Clarke (An Riocht)
15. Brendan Coulter (Mayobridge)
13. Paul McComiskey (Dundrum)

[dundrumite]

We cannot place too much weight on McKenna Cup games in January, but it might be worth looking at the competition for places which is emerging in the Down squad. Against QUB, we used 20 players in all. Just as a talking point, here is another possible team entirely composed of those who were either unused subs last night, did not make the panel or were unavailable for various reasons.

Brendan McVeigh; Luke Howard, Declan Rooney, Martin Cole; Timmy Hanna, Liam Doyle, Paul Murphy; Dan Gordon, Kallum King; Conor Maginn, Michael Walsh, Aidan Carr; Ronan Sexton, Michael Magee, Ronan Murtagh.

It is not a bad line-up, and it does not include the likes of Michael McAllister, Joe Ireland and Colm Murney, who are all on Sigerson duty, and Peter Turley, Ciaran McGovern, Kevin Duffin and John Fegan, who all  played in the championship last summer.

Our difficulty is that we clearly have strength in depth for some positions, but our first choice defence still needs to take shape and we are still relying very heavily on a small number of key figures overall.

Highlighted players Would be in my top 15. I wonder how many changes will be made for Wednesday night? It Will be  balancing act between getting a look at boys and trying to establish some team continuity.
A funny incident occurred along the line on Saturday night. Cahal O'Rourke was barking a mouthful to the ref about not booking a Down player who had committed a similar foul to a Queens who had got booked moments earlier. James  had a little smile to himself shook his head and walked on. Good to see a bit of intelligence and not getting involved.

[marsbarkid]

has mickey linden stepped down from drumgath?

no.

Is this his third or fourth year?
Will Dan Mc Cabe or any of the long term injuries yous had last year be back this year? With him, Mark Brannagain and James Costello back, that would be a forward lie that could cause a lot of damage.

Dan is in America, Costello plays for Glenavon and brandy has been transferred to aughlisnafinn.

This true?

DF i think Charlie is taking the piss + trying 2 make a joke at Aughlisnafin's expense. We had a players meeting last sunday + there was definitely no word of any Mark Brannigan coming to play for us! How's your club's preparations going for the season ahead?

[Banna Man]

has mickey linden stepped down from drumgath?

no.

Is this his third or fourth year?
Will Dan Mc Cabe or any of the long term injuries yous had last year be back this year? With him, Mark Brannagain and James Costello back, that would be a forward lie that could cause a lot of damage.

Dan is in America, Costello plays for Glenavon and brandy has been transferred to aughlisnafinn.

This true?

How true is it that Mark Brannigan has went to the finn?

[marsbarkid]

has mickey linden stepped down from drumgath?

no.

Is this his third or fourth year?
Will Dan Mc Cabe or any of the long term injuries yous had last year be back this year? With him, Mark Brannagain and James Costello back, that would be a forward lie that could cause a lot of damage.

Dan is in America, Costello plays for Glenavon and brandy has been transferred to aughlisnafinn.

This true?

How true is it that Mark Brannigan has went to the finn?

It is def NOT true Banna Man, see post above yours. I think Charlie Tully was TRYING to be funny!

[Eartotheground]

We cannot place too much weight on McKenna Cup games in January, but it might be worth looking at the competition for places which is emerging in the Down squad. Against QUB, we used 20 players in all. Just as a talking point, here is another possible team entirely composed of those who were either unused subs last night, did not make the panel or were unavailable for various reasons.

Brendan McVeigh; Luke Howard, Declan Rooney, Martin Cole; Timmy Hanna, Liam Doyle, Paul Murphy; Dan Gordon, Kallum King; Conor Maginn, Michael Walsh, Aidan Carr; Ronan Sexton, Michael Magee, Ronan Murtagh.

It is not a bad line-up, and it does not include the likes of Michael McAllister, Joe Ireland and Colm Murney, who are all on Sigerson duty, and Peter Turley, Ciaran McGovern, Kevin Duffin and John Fegan, who all  played in the championship last summer.

Our difficulty is that we clearly have strength in depth for some positions, but our first choice defence still needs to take shape and we are still relying very heavily on a small number of key figures overall.

Highlighted players Would be in my top 15. I wonder how many changes will be made for Wednesday night? It Will be  balancing act between getting a look at boys and trying to establish some team continuity.
A funny incident occurred along the line on Saturday night. Cahal O'Rourke was barking a mouthful to the ref about not booking a Down player who had committed a similar foul to a Queens who had got booked moments earlier. James  had a little smile to himself shook his head and walked on. Good to see a bit of intelligence and not getting involved.

I also think Timmy Hanna is worth a shout

[13aside]

Back from the match in Newry and a second win for Down,this time on a 0:19 to 1:11 against Antrim.Championship level it sure is not but you have to respect the enthusiasm,team effort and committment of the Down players on view.A great dominant first half with Fitzpatrick,Colgan,Hughes,Clarke,Coulter,Carr and after an uncertain start Laverty all playing well Down lost their way for a period in the second half.The new instructions to referees about the 'fisted' pass cost Down good possession and a poor delivery from a free led to Antrim scores which left the crowd on edge.A couple of changes notably the introduction of Ambrose Rodgers steadied the nerves and Down ran out deserved winners.Congratulations.

[Mid Down Gael]

Impressive performance tonight. Down really playing much better brand off football under the new management. I was again impressived by James Colgan at centre half, very strong and holds his position well and has great composure and distribution on the ball. Aidan Carr, Danny Hughes, Peter Fitzpatrick, Marty Clarke, Conor Laverty and Benny Coulter also put in really good displays with McComiskey as lively as ever when he came on. Going to be strong squad to select from the year with and hopefully we continue to progress.

[dodgy umpire]

The two man full forward line worked well and antrim were not able to cope, allowing down to build up a healthy first half lead. One passage of play in the first half involving Coulter and Lavery was pure class and a joy to watch. Aidan Carr was impressive, Fitzpatrick had a good game , but Kalum King maybe doesnt have the pace for this level

[southdown]

How has Mark Poland played in the last 2 games?

[13aside]

Yes started the first game against Queens and introduced as a sub early last night

[13aside]

more info sthdwn Mark was thrown into a tough position when lining out at CHF last week and this would not suit a player of his build despite  his ability,brought on early last night and struggled to get up to the pace right away-but did settle and play his part,think he will be more effective in one of the four wide positions up -front in the league and c'ship,has a terrific scoring record at club level and will prove his worth on the drier pitches ahead

[In the Onion Bag]

Anybody got the Down starting line up for the Antrim game?