Down Club Hurling & Football

[Smurfy123]

I think you will find the average age of the Down team on Sunday was 27

[Smurfy123]

I'm not saying get rid of any manager. I would like them to come away from the defensive stuff that was played years ago. When Down shoukd have been playing defensive football the were not and now when the game is evolving again we are stuck in what teams were doing 5 years ago. Tally most experienced man for the job but please give us something going forward. 5 points from play in 78 minutes football

[OgraAnDun]

Playing defensive football when score difference kept us in Div 3 last year after a couple of miracle last gasp 1 points wins is a bit worrying.

[ardtole]

I'm not saying get rid of any manager. I would like them to come away from the defensive stuff that was played years ago. When Down shoukd have been playing defensive football the were not and now when the game is evolving again we are stuck in what teams were doing 5 years ago. Tally most experienced man for the job but please give us something going forward. 5 points from play in 78 minutes football

I was thinking the same myself over the weekend. When defensive football was at it's most effective, we played into the opposition's hands.

Now when even Donegal and Tyrone, nevermind Dublin and Kerry and by all accounts Galway under Joyce, have found ways to counter the defensive game and are more attacking in their outlook, we again are possibly slow to react.

Could possibly be a bit harsh after just one league game, and we were missing Harrison and Mooney who are huge attacking threats. But in general I hope we are more adventurous and I'd hate to be in Derrys position with Rory Gallagher in charge. The match reports from their opening game was horrific.

[Mourne Rover]

We created plenty of decent chances yesterday and the fact that we only scored four points from play was down to pretty poor shooting rather than defensive tactics. The dreadful pitch also meant that neither side was likely to run up a big total. It was disappointing that we did not use the extra man to secure the win but we should be judged after a run of league games and not on day one. We will definitely have a better idea about our prospects after the  Derry game.

[Ed Hardy]

Was Johnny Flynn not fit to start on Sunday? I think currently him and Donnelly probably our strongest midfield partnership. Kerr pushing for a start id imagine this Saturday evening,  any word on Laverty or James Guinness, both still injured?

Team for Saturday

Burns
Fegan
McKernan
McAleenan
Collins
O'Hagan
Annett
Flynn
Donnelly
D Guinness
Quinn
McCabe
Havern
O Hare
Kerr

[Truth hurts]

With new season fast approaching, any thoughts on year ahead. By all accounts Bryansford and Warrenpoint are training to the max and I expect a good start in the league for them. Division two is going to be a dogfight but experience of Frank Dawson should get the Town back up. Is John Rafferty still managing Downpatrick?

[Smurfy123]

Ed that's not a bad team and probably our strongest available. Some really good attacking players and a solid defence. I would expect that team to beat Derry. Derry will probably bring a few lads into the team that didn't okay on Saturday night. I think they were missing a few. Harrison on the bench would be good

[SamFever]

Not sure what good will come of hounding yet another manager. Down are as good as their players are and at the minute that's weak enough.

HS, Good you got an away win yourselves.

[elk]

Was Johnny Flynn not fit to start on Sunday? I think currently him and Donnelly probably our strongest midfield partnership. Kerr pushing for a start id imagine this Saturday evening,  any word on Laverty or James Guinness, both still injured?

Team for Saturday

Burns
Fegan
McKernan
McAleenan
Collins
O'Hagan
Annett
Flynn
Donnelly
D Guinness
Quinn
McCabe
Havern
O Hare
Kerr

Dodgy full back line

[Gaelforce123]

I am positive about most thinks Red and Black, but McKernan is not our full back. Roasted v Antrim and Tyrone. He will struggle for a starting 15 place but if to get one has to be further out the field as Full back is not it. Johnny Flynn is full of running, but not a midfielder at this level, unfortunately we dont have the players for every position. Donnelly will be strong for midfield, Mooney is a miss. agree Kerr should start

PS Smurfy......  Average age of starting team was 24

[Smurfy123]

McArdle to go to full back if fit and McKernan on the bench. But he is filling a gap where we are weak so really who else have we to out into full back? Could Flynn do full back and push McCabe to midfield and Poland around the half forward line for his physical attributes

[Walt Jabsco]

Any dates for the start of the leagues released yet?

[Square Ball]

Any dates for the start of the leagues released yet?

Draft proposals are out, have them in work. Will post the start dates tomorrow if I remember

[supersub]

3rd April