Down Club Hurling & Football

[Mourne Rover]

At the risk of clutching at straws, and accepting that there was a huge gulf in class on the field, we actually put in a reasonable shift tonight, looked better organised in key areas and certainly improving noticeably on our last two home games. Dublin were miles ahead of us, as they are of most sides, but a display like that against Monaghan in the championship would us at least a degree of hope, even if we find ourselves in the qualifiers.

Cunningham was our man of the match and impressed from start to finish. The majority of his kick-outs were well placed, no mean feat against a team as fit as Dublin, he was solid under the dropping ball, made a couple of fine stops and had no chance with their goal.

Our full back line also did well, with Gerard McGovern settling into his role and genuinely unlucky not to get a goal when he pushed up, and O'Hagan and Collins very competitive.

The half backs found it much tougher against an outstanding line of Flynn, Kilkenny and Connolly, but the latter was largely negated by Conail McGovern's clever sweeping. While O'Hanlon is still young, and did take one fine point, his distribution is regularly poor and he still tends to shoot wides from distance rather than picking out a forward.

McKay had an impressive opening period at midfield before he understandably tired and Turley was as determined as ever even though the referee did him few favours.

McKernan will be annoyed with himself over the early black card, Mallon has had better days and Maginn worked tirelessly without often hurting Dublin.

Barry O'Hagan only played in bursts but O'Hare was much more involved than of late, hit his frees confidently and probably deserved the slice of good fortune behind his goal

Murphy looked the part when he replaced McKernan and must start the next day, while all the subs contributed with Devlin the liveliest.

We are still in a tough place, and obviously heading back to where we really belong in D2, but performances like tonight in our last two fixtures will give us at least something to build on for the summer.

[Smurfy123]

We put in our best home performance of the year but still fell away short to the all Ireland champions
It looked like Dublin had another gear or 2 but we done ok against them
Our best players IMO were the 2 mc governs,Murphy,o hare won every all that came in but lacks a treat in front of goal
Our kickouts are still a massive problem.Our 2 midfielders got completely cleaned out last night.For 20 minutes in the first half we never touched the ball.
Does anyone know the latest with Mooneys injury and will we see him get any game time before we play Monaghan in the championship?I would be of the opinion that he needs matches to get up to speed and to work on his skill

[Down Follower]

At a minimum you like to see desire, heart, a bit of fight. We got that in spades last night. Qualit was still well short of where it needs to be but it was much more heartening than say against Kerry. This level of commitment HAS to be our starting point now and build towards the Monaghan game.

[SHEEDY]

Hard to believe that last Saturday night against the dubs could be down's last home match until the McKenna cup next January. A home draw in the qualifiers (unlikely knowing our luck) or a replay with Monaghan is the only chance of seeing the senior side in newry again this year.

[5 Sams]

Hard to believe that last Saturday night against the dubs could be down's last home match until the McKenna cup next January. A home draw in the qualifiers (unlikely knowing our luck) or a replay with Monaghan is the only chance of seeing the senior side in newry again this year.

Very good point. A full house in the Marshes is a great buzz....pity it probably won't happen until 2017...

[SamFever]

Hard to believe that last Saturday night against the dubs could be down's last home match until the McKenna cup next January. A home draw in the qualifiers (unlikely knowing our luck) or a replay with Monaghan is the only chance of seeing the senior side in newry again this year.

Very good point. A full house in the Marshes is a great buzz....pity it probably won't happen until 2017...

It wasn't a full house on Sat night.

[rosskarr]

Hard to believe that last Saturday night against the dubs could be down's last home match until the McKenna cup next January. A home draw in the qualifiers (unlikely knowing our luck) or a replay with Monaghan is the only chance of seeing the senior side in newry again this year.

Very good point. A full house in the Marshes is a great buzz....pity it probably won't happen until 2017...

It wasn't a full house on Sat night.

The Dubs didn't travel in great numbers other than their season ticket holders who need their tickets stamped when it comes to the allocation of the near customary All Ireland tickets.

[Brick Tamlin]

Could someone name the rough panel or list of players available for tonights U21 game against Armagh?

[A man from Down]

The Irish News tweeting this morning that Mooney has quit the panel. You wouldn't know for sure if its actually true.

Why do the best players in the county not want to play for Down?

[Aristo 60]

Mooney is maybe the fastest but I have my doubts whether he's amongst the best.

But to answer you question - I don't know.

[ardtole]

Always had a feeling that Mooney  in danger of falling off the radar similar to Kyle Coney. He hasnt made the imact we were all hoping for.

[interested]

Always had a feeling that Mooney  in danger of falling off the radar similar to Kyle Coney. He hasnt made the imact we were all hoping for.

I think you are doing Coney a disservice,at least he has done something at Senior level for Club and County.Mooney has done nothing

[Smurfy123]

I still think Mooney will be a big miss this year.Even to have the experience in the changing rooms will be a blow?Any word of to why he has quit?Any rostrevor posters shed any light?

[supersub]

Who knows really except the lad himself. I heard he played for Rostrevor during the week and was impressive.

[snoopdog]

Really is depressing stuff. Watching all the senior lads and now mooney bot commit. There are so many good footballers in the county who aren't available for various reasons. Let's hope the u21's can give us something to cheer about tonight. Could someone post the team and their clubs if they get a chance.cheers