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No Ryan is just playing for Kilcoo and Shealan is travelling at the moment so neither training at this point, hard to see any involvement and Kerr currently playing for Burren.- strange one

No new additions, is Mc Geary back from his injury yet? I would imagine the team to start against Monaghan will be pretty close to the starting team. Mc Geough full forward is a strange one but has seemed to work last 2 games, offers something different and no one else has nailed it down. The likes of Savage/ Mc Crickard/ Gilmore have never really grab a jersey so probably start with that. Murdock and Mc Evoy are Downs main performers on the day, if they go well i think Down win with a couple points to spare.

I assume he is taking them at the minute, even if its picking a team. Has anyone been at a game? whos been on the line for them.

Any take aways from first 2 weeks, Division 1 and 2 look interesting. Any teams standing out?

Clonduff with 2 good wins, look like Ballyholland might struggle.
Rostrevor started well with Glenn and Bredagh- Byransford lost the run?

Down leagues starting this weekend- Any Predictions for Division winners/ Relegation 

D1- Winners- Carryduff
  - relegated- Ballyholland/ Downpatrick

D2- Promoted -Bredagh/Glenn/ Bryansford
   - relegated- St Johns/ Drumgath

D3- Promoted Liatroim/ Banbridge
  -relegated Bosco/ Dromara

Division 4- Promoted-Teconnaught

I tend to agree, Down with a really good NFL campaign but ending in relegation. Team is in a decent place with subs entering the game and influencing it, which is massive in championship football. Fingers crossed we can give it a good run this year 

Ryan and Sheelan travelling this year I think

Kevin Franklin and  Paul Sheilds new management in An Riocht

Business end of the season.

Predictions for the weekend.

Drumgath vs Darragh cross- comfortable win for Drumgath, playing well at the top of division 3
Rostrevor vs Banbridge- Rostrevor may thread carefully as Banbridge have a couple of players to cause trouble, but if match ups are right it should be a couple point win

Glenn vs Kilcoo- Glenn pose a different question to Kilcoo- the unknown, do they have enough to trouble Kilcoo, many have tried and failed. Kilcoo comfortable win
Carryduff vs Burren- The prize for runner up 2024. Both teams have numerous county men, should be a great battle. I think Carryduff scrape through this one. 1 point win

Thoughts?

3 out of 4 semi finalist already known, a huge upset if Kilcoo don't join.

Carryduff went about their business with minimal fuss, can this be the year they challenge Kilcoo. Burren looked to be home and dry at half time but second half would be worrying for them. Glenn with a comfortable win again, seen most of the game and have to say they have enough there to challenge most Division 1 teams, as proven. Will be a big ask for whoever they have in the next round saying that.

Who would make the best final this year?

Kilcoo vs Burren
Carryduff Vs Kilcoo

something else?

1/4 Finals time. Does anyone see any upsets happening? I think Burren, Kilcoo and Carryduff progress and the last game between Glenn vs Bryansford could go either way. Maybe Bryansford shade it with division 2 experience this year?

Semi Finals next weekend? or is there a break?

Turned into a real good game yesterday, plenty of mistakes and missed chances but intensity of championship makes up for it all. Glenn missing 3 key players with a fine second half display. Clonduff will find that one hard to deal with over the dark months. Glenn play an exciting brand of football which is a bit different to the norm, great to see.

So whats the chances this weekend? Anyone giving us a punchers chance?

I see the game isn't being televised? On BBc or Rte?
Has this every happened for a Ulster semi final before, why would all games including prelim be on and not the Semi final?

Is it expected to be 1 sided and not worth the viewing?

I just had a  quick look at the leinster sfc draw and Westmeath and Kildare are on the same side of the draw and probably between them for a leinster final spot. Presuming Dublin win again, one of these teams would be a second seed in the All Ireland series.

I think Louth are that side of the draw too. Down would want them to progress to the final along with Dublin so that winning the league final would mean playing in Sam. Although it will be difficult and likely lose to a lot of the good teams, this young Down side would gain more playing against the best teams.

Good win at the weekend. Down quietly going about their business and look to be improving all around. O Hare another solid performance, defense on shipped 7 scores, won midfield battle, forwards slightly wasteful but creating chances. Only worry is opposition is poor and Down will run into tougher tests soon enough. Wonder will the resolve be there to match the better quality teams. Time will tell 

Real solid performance Saturday evening. Controlled and exciting moving forward. Defence organized themselves after a poor first 5 minutes. Be interesting to see what team is picked for Antrim. Thought everyone performed well and was a nice balance to the team. Great to see Mooney and Annett back, be some additions.