Messages

"I'm sure it's frustrating for fans of Div 2 through Div 4 teams.  I suppose the positive of reaching Division 1 is you get to see your county all the time"

We are going into week 5 and Roscommon are yet to be shown live on TV.

I watched them against Armagh.  However it's what fans in Ireland see that matters.  If Roscommon is being ignored then that isn't right.  Is GAA football coverage the Dublin-Kerry Show or is that just my misguided impression?

To be fair to EVERY county there should be set rules on which counties get televised and how often.  Something like: each Div 1 team gets 4 games, each Div 2 2 games...etc.

This is why I hate the Group stage of the championship.  Besides being somewhat redundant, it's just an excuse to give the usual suspects extra coverage.  Meanwhile 16 counties get turfed to tier two football.  A convenient excuse to mostly ignore them.  They should return to the backdoor system, which gave everyone a second championship game.

The GAA should treat every county equally.  Kerry & Dublin will still get prime coverage at the end of the championship, if they've earned it.

Any county that reaches a provincial finalists qualifies for that year's Sam Maguire, so technically no team is excluded from the Premier competition.

Down were totally dominant in Wexford. Only for the 2 point frees for wexford in the 1st half Down wouldve lead by more.  Still conceding far too much though.
Win next sat night and back up to div 2.
Odhran Murdock makes it look so easy.

Daniel Guinness particularly in the first half was excellent, he has a great knack of inviting the contact from the defender, sidestepping him and breaking through the tackle. He had 3 or 4 points in the first half, into a very strong breeze.

Doherty has returned to form as well, Murdock controlled the game he is a outstanding talent. Good to see Liam Kerr get 10 minutes as well.

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 .

I think since the new rules have come in, the biggest problem/headache for managers is what to do when momentum swings away from you. No one can explain how for 8 or 9 minutes of some games you just can't get your hands on the ball.

The Armagh, Cork, Meath,  Galway and Mayo managers have all spoke about it recently but no one has any answers and it looks like Down are no different.

I heard Eugene Brannigan and Liam Kerr are recovering from injury. I heard nothing about the Johnsons.

I would think so.

Reaching a provincial final will guarantee you a place in the All Ireland series. Then the next 7 best placed league positions from counties who don't reach their provincial finalists plus last years Tailtain cup winners.

Murdock is a generational talent similar to Benny and Marty Clarke. His goal last night won the game, and not only that he won the next kickout too. He just provides big moments in every game.

I thought Finn Murdock done well and Shane Annett, he disposed the Clare men on a couple of of occasions and has a bit of dog about him which is needed.

Dreadful conditions and 2 points and hopefully no injuries is all you can ask for.

Is Liam Kerr injuried? Id love to see him perform under the new rules.

Lads. Trying to buy tickets for tonight's match. Nothing showing for children though???
Are thry back to free entry??

Ignore. Sorted , note children u16 free and no need for ticket.

Im just after spending a tenner for the wee man

Im looking forward to seeing Liam Kerr under the new rules, he has the potential to make a similar impact as Murdock last year. Different types of players but both can have a huge impact on games.

Barry O'Hagan I heard is back as well, if he is fully fit, himself and Havern had a very good understanding from the get go, seemed to compliment each other. After his injury woes, maybe coming off the bench with his 2 point threat is more realistic, he would have been a great option v Galway last year.

Im looking forward to Saturday evening too, it will be interesting to see the starting 15, I don't think Laverty will have the luxury of experimenting in the league this year. Promotion is vital.

I agree snoopdog, im looking forward to going to Newry next Saturday evening. It doesn't mean im not sympathetic to the Gazan people, but Down pulling out of the National League competition made no sense to me at all and would have set us back years for the reasons you mentioned.

The Mayo supporters used to give McDonald dogs abuse when he was playing, and once he retired he was elevated into superstar status.

Navan is definitely unavailable.

Any word where Loughrea v Slughtneil will be?

Kingspan Breffni in Cavan probably the most Central?

Terrible venue for a club game, same as thurles absolutely no atmosphere

Iniskeen then?

Probaly put it in newbridge or somewhere

If memory serves Cushendall played St Thomas' in Parnell Park so I'd say you're looking at there

Cushendall played Sarsfields in Navan in 2016, but it's closed for renovation work at present.

I could see the argument for Easkey and Toreen to play at the higher provincial level if they win their shc next year.

The runner up in the Derry shc compete in the Ulster IHC (i think), it's not perfect but in counties and provinces with a small  number of hurling clubs, it's not easy to find a solution.

Connacht Intermediate final result

Tooreen (Mayo) 3-21 Meelick Eyrecourt (Galway) 2-12

Tooreen have now won 6 of the last 8 Connacht titles

Connacht Junior final result

Easkey (Sligo) 2-17 Ballinasloe (Galway)2-15

Four in a row Connacht titles for Easkey.

Do they need to win an All Ireland to go up a grade? I think if you win a provincial title in Ulster, if you win your county title during the next 3 years you play at the higher provincial grade.