Down Club Hurling & Football

T O Hare · February 13, 2011, 03:55:07 PM

Has anyone a list of the Down senior football captains since 1960???

Lotto Man · February 13, 2011, 04:52:37 PM

I have never read so much anti St Colmans tripe in all my life, obviously written by some extremely envious Abbey past pupils, or Abbey sympathisers, who are eternally jealous of the Colleges history and tradition, standing proud at the top of the MacRory Roll of Honour with 18 titles compared to the Abbey's 5 titles (only titles won on the field count).

You are right Leo, to call St Colmans College by the name 'The College' would be the same as calling Abbey Christian Brothers Grammar School by the name 'The Abbey.'

As for the antics the other night. The College took the field to chorus of cheers from the Blue Army while at the same time the Abbey supporters were chanting that Caolan Mooney was a W@@ker. Why should an 18 year old lad have to listen to this abuse that went on for quite a while and he was not alone as a number of other College lads were also subjected to this type of 'personal' abuse? As for the bottle throwing, the Abbey lads launched the bottles for first which was not on, hitting a girl in the process, and the College lads returned them, which was also unacceptable. St Colmans teachers were soon in among the College supporters and shortly after this, the Abbey teachers did likewise. I have also heard subsequently that there was urine in some of the open topped bottles thrown from the Abbey 'fans', which adds a sick twist to the whole debacle.

The Blue Army brought some wonderful noise and colour to the occasion as they have done for years and anyone who knows anything about Ulster Colleges football will recognise that, with good natured chanting and singing throughout the game, all with a hint of humour ("You're not a physio" and "Mickeys got a big coat" were two examples). They also acclaimed the number of past pupils who walked past them prior to the game giving the likes of the Mc Cartan's, Aidan Carr and others a special cheer.

May I also suggest to Mid Down Gael and Pointlad that they venture to Croke Park to watch St Colmans play in a Hogan Final as they certainly won't be supporting Kilcoo or Warrenpoint in Croke Park at any time. The might also bring a bus for the Abbey PPSA where they would be able to see football being played as it should, and not the 13 men behind the ball crap that St Colmans had to play against the other night. It was also interesting that the scoreboard gave the Abbey 3 points in the first half when they had only scored 2 but I suppose they needed all the help they could get. It must have been an Abbey man keeping the score.

The College now move on to the MacRory semi final against Magherafelt and the Abbey back to the drawing board. The Abbeys massive investment in their 'specialist' strength and conditioning coach wasn't too evident the other night and to kit out 40 lads in all that gear could not have been cheap. St Colmans have a real chance of making the MacRory final on St Patricks Day but a number of their players will have to step up their game. It was good enough the other night against substandard opposition, beating them by 35 points over two games this year, but it would be good enough the next day. I'm sure they will improve.

mournerambler · February 13, 2011, 06:55:42 PM

Quote from: Mid Down Gael on February 12, 2011, 09:58:56 AM
St Colemans 3-6 Abbey 0-5

Scoreline does not do the Abbey justice. They dominated possession for long periods but where so wasteful in attack. Shot selection was their main problem trying to end good moves shooting from impossible angles. And the less said about the two gifts to St Colemans for first half goals the better. Shea McArdle (St Colemans) and Gerard McGovern (Abbey) where the two most impressive players on view imo, two great talents who dont get the credit that some of their peers get regulary. Tony McGreevy, Ryan Johnston and Mooney also had their moments for St Colemans.
In relation to the crowd trouble, i have to say as a neutral that St Colemans fan club where a disgrace, behaviour like that is not the Gaa way. The odd Abbey fan got involved which was wrong but that college crowd would do your head in.

I hope you behave yourself at all the games you attend MDG & that you don't do or say things that are not the 'GAA way'.

PAULD123 · February 14, 2011, 11:01:56 AM

There is a load of old hype going on here, and a load of old tripe being spoken. I was at the game. There was loyal and enthusiastic chanting from both sets of fans. Young lads getting excited about our national game. Showing support for their schools and their fellow pupils. It was great to see this support and reminded me of my days there when my love for the sport was kindled.

The first bottle landed a few feet from me after bouncing either off or near to a girl. That was wrong and sad but in total it was two or three that were thrown, a couple of bad lads. There are always some. It was sorted quickly and there were no mass brawls, or riots or blood soaked spectators to be carried out (because that's what some of these posts make it sound like).

There must have been around 2,000 people at that game, fantastic for a match between two high schools. (Mayo only raised 5,000 to watch their county seniors the week before!) Great support and a couple of bad eggs should not allow people to denigrate what was otherwise great support by both sets of fans.

As for the game, anyone saying the Abbey were close is dreaming. The College were cantering for the whole second half. At any stage they could have upped it. The Abbey shot from crazy angles because the College defence pushed them out there, hardly poor shot CHOICES! The Abbey threw the kitchen sink at St Colmans and came up ten points short and that was a fair reflection of the ability in the two teams. The Abbey only scored their first point from play with eight minutes to go!

The College will beat St Mary's so long as they don't show the arrogance their forwards displayed in the 2nd half against the Abbey. But Dungannon or St Micks will be a whole other matter on St Patricks day.

whitegoodman · February 14, 2011, 01:07:39 PM

Quote from: PAULD123 on February 14, 2011, 11:01:56 AM
There is a load of old hype going on here, and a load of old tripe being spoken. I was at the game. There was loyal and enthusiastic chanting from both sets of fans. Young lads getting excited about our national game. Showing support for their schools and their fellow pupils. It was great to see this support and reminded me of my days there when my love for the sport was kindled.

The first bottle landed a few feet from me after bouncing either off or near to a girl. That was wrong and sad but in total it was two or three that were thrown, a couple of bad lads. There are always some. It was sorted quickly and there were no mass brawls, or riots or blood soaked spectators to be carried out (because that's what some of these posts make it sound like).

There must have been around 2,000 people at that game, fantastic for a match between two high schools. (Mayo only raised 5,000 to watch their county seniors the week before!) Great support and a couple of bad eggs should not allow people to denigrate what was otherwise great support by both sets of fans.

As for the game, anyone saying the Abbey were close is dreaming. The College were cantering for the whole second half. At any stage they could have upped it. The Abbey shot from crazy angles because the College defence pushed them out there, hardly poor shot CHOICES! The Abbey threw the kitchen sink at St Colmans and came up ten points short and that was a fair reflection of the ability in the two teams. The Abbey only scored their first point from play with eight minutes to go!

The College will beat St Mary's so long as they don't show the arrogance their forwards displayed in the 2nd half against the Abbey. But Dungannon or St Micks will be a whole other matter on St Patricks day.

Good post

snoopdog · February 14, 2011, 05:20:14 PM

Blue Army, Blue Army

TacadoirArdMhacha · February 14, 2011, 10:15:53 PM

Quote from: Leo on February 13, 2011, 01:41:06 AM
The fans (pupils) of both these schools have in the last few years been competing in the rush to the bottom of the behavioural pit, a sad commentary on thier parents, teachers and environment, and more in common with the growing embrace of English soccer loutism rather than true GAA sportsmanship.
And doesn't the pompous self-regarding reference to St Colman's College as "the college" just sum up the bombasticc nature of the whole thing
Apart from spasms of incidental football it was a bad reflection on our future prospects at Pairc Esler last night.

Catch yourself on Leo. Pathetic comment.

Disappointed I missed that one on Friday night, didn't get the paper Friday morning and hadn't realised it was on. Great to see the College competitive again after a number of years in the wilderness.

downjim · February 15, 2011, 02:40:41 PM

There is no doubt that there is a hooligan aspect creeping into the game... Thats twice in 10 months St Colman's have been involved and incidents such as the Leinster final and an Ulster club game between Mayobridge and St Galls are two examples that spring to mind

The GAA should clamp down on this sort of behavior!!!

snoopdog · February 15, 2011, 05:00:34 PM

I think this is a bit over the top. Retaliation for a bottle thrown at them.(obviously should not have been thrown back) and someone throwing a flare onto the sideline of the pitch are hardly serious incidents
I have been to a lot of College games in my time and i dont recall anything worth talking about.
These are kids.Like a load of young bulls, full of testosterone and probably a couple of cans of Harp. (although i cant verify that all young bulls in south down and Armagh drink harp)

Its the aul fellas at croke park after the leinster final and the kn0bs that attack referees for making bad decisions in club matches that deserve to be slated.

alba2 · February 16, 2011, 09:34:28 AM

Down v Galway

There seems to be a bit of dissaray in the Galway camp at the mionute with 2 players walking away during the week.. This can only help our cause at the weekend.. What do yas think the team will be for this game now that the u21s have been released back to their own group and a few players have been sent back to their clubs.....

Down Follower · February 16, 2011, 10:41:33 AM

Can anyone confirm who has been released from the panel?

redandblackareback · February 16, 2011, 01:24:40 PM

Im sorry but im not buying into this nonsense of this has always happened at "College" Games... Have a look at bbc website and the extended hi lights of all 4 quarter finals, it is plain to see the only school who behaved in this thuggish/hooligan manner are the "College" fans, Simply not good enough, no room for it in the GAA and without doubt the powers that be in both schools should be pulled in front of the Ulster Colleges committee and asked to explain the events of last friday night. Its the talk of the country never mind county.

Brick Tamlin · February 16, 2011, 01:38:15 PM

Yes its a greek tragedy of ~~monumental~~ Bombastic proportions!!!
Will someone please think of the children in this whole mess.

Talk of the country my hairy arse!
Is there nothing more important or prevolent to discuss this week. National League perhaps.

PAULD123 · February 16, 2011, 01:59:22 PM

Quote from: redandblackareback on February 16, 2011, 01:24:40 PM
Im sorry but im not buying into this nonsense of this has always happened at "College" Games... Have a look at bbc website and the extended hi lights of all 4 quarter finals, it is plain to see the only school who behaved in this thuggish/hooligan manner are the "College" fans, Simply not good enough, no room for it in the GAA and without doubt the powers that be in both schools should be pulled in front of the Ulster Colleges committee and asked to explain the events of last friday night. Its the talk of the country never mind county.

HEEEELLLLO RedandBlack. What part of "The Abbey fans threw bottles at the College spectators" do you not understand?

?? Of course that makes it the College's fault doesn't it? Sounds a lot like you come from the DailyMail reading "She was asking for it" mentality. And while you are proposing people get pulled up in front of the Ulster Council, perhaps you would tell me if you were actually at the game. What's that No? You weren't? Surprise surprise. Refer to my comment above. Outraged at something when you don't even know what happened.

TheClutch · February 16, 2011, 06:55:25 PM

This is ridiculous, honest to god some of the posts im reading are about as bad as people complaining about andy gray and richard keys. would yas all wise up and let the blue army do what they do best, support the college and make wee girls outa any other crowd they come up against.
probaly the most childish comment ive wrote on this board....but sure wouldnt ya know i used to go to the college!!!!