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Fair play to Liatroim for retaining their Division 1 status,but you have to have sympathy for Annaclone.
They put up some great performances this year,much like Ballyholland  did in Division 1 last year.
Looking at the standard of Division 1 and 2,is there a case for a 16 team division 1,with a top 8 ,bottom 8 split after the first round of matches,with no playoffs.Surely this would give clubs like Annaclone,Ballyholland,Warrenpoint,Attical a chance to establish themselves in Division 1.
It's absolutely crazy asking players to play their most important match of the season in November.
What about a closed season for our county men?

IMO these sports are completely different.
Gaelic games , the players have to be supremely fit to run like greyhounds over 60 mins with barely a break.

Rugby players play in short bursts with more emphasis on physical holding and tackling - therefore the speed/stamina and athleticism required is - well I was going to say 'less' but thats incorrect, it is different.

but to answer your question, to play the actual games, then the benedictine vow of abstinence is possibly a bit ott.

Then again too many players dont know when they should and when they should not go on the rip

It appears average fitness scores for top Rugby players are now equalling and surpassing their GAA counterparts,probably on the basis of professionalism.As long as the Rugby lads have all week to recuperate ,and can avail of professional advice re  the effects of alcohol on performance,then Alcohol is less likely to have a derimental effect  on them ,compared to the amateur GAA player.But despite the gael's protestations  to the contrary,alcohol consumption in the GAA is not a black and white issue ,in my opinion.

A competely subjective opinion,apologies for the Down and Ulster bias:
P.Canavan----despite relatively small stature,he has been the most effective player of his generation.
G.Blaney--the ultimate combination of brain and brawn.
F.McGuigan--natural ability in spades,but apparent lack of application led to underachievement.
J.McCartan-in late teens,early 20s brought a level of excitement unparallelled by anyone
M.Connor -ruthless finishing,especially under pressure.
B.Mason--star of the show in otherwise limited Down teams,brought Loughinisland to championship victory in an extremely competitive era of club football in Down(Burren etc.).

What is the possible value of the current East Down under 21 competition at this time of the year?
If it's true that Teconnaught,Downpatrick and Loughinisland are amalgamating at this level,it's completely farcical.If I was from Kilcoo,for example and was robbed of an U21 medal by the above combination,I would be extremely angry.In addition ,If I was from "Cnoc ni Drinn?",and won an under 21 medal playing for such an ad hoc amalgamation,it would be totally meaningless.Most East Down clubs need to take a long hard look at themselves,and ask why so salled Senior clubs can not field on their own at this level.It doesn't help when East Down board seem to be encouraging amalgamations in their attempts to have a credible Under 21 competition.They would be much better placed working to achieve a meaningful reserve league to replace the current set up.A bit of honesty and creative thinking is required.

Settle yourselves lads!
FACT:Wobbler is right,county players require high standards of skill,athleticism and attitude to achieve.But these are all areas which can be improved in any individual.
FACT:Pace however is  one essential  quality for elite players, where there is little room for improvement,and any club team,no matter what league will only have a handful of players with the pace required for county football.That natural pace is a rare commodity,but exists among some lower league players.If these players have the attitude,and raw pace/athleticism,then they could become senior stars.To be fair most of these players will have come to the attention of minor selectors etc.,already.
FACT:The vast majority of county senior players come from the rural clubs within a 15 mile radius of Slieve Donard-a very romantic notion,but surely a county of our population has to try to widen the net.In terms of population we're a sleeping giant!
FACT:there has been a perception of Bias out there,with little justification in my view.But the county trials means that that myth can be buried,and the support from the whole of the county can therefore be harnessed.
FACT:Wobbler,you have always made some excellent points,but your jealous guarding of the status quo makes me wonder are you actually a member of the "inner circle"--Joking!,I don't want to trigger another wave of paranoia.

Please stop this rough diamond talk. Even the roughest of diamonds stands out at club football.

Agree to a point ,wobbler.But do county players stand out in club football in their own right,or is it because they have benefitted from the intense coaching,training and lifestyle management which they should receive as part of a county squad?

1.We need to put our hands up,and accept that these dust-ups don't do our image any good.
2.The BBC's coverage of these negative incidents over the years,contrasts sharply with their continuing "and finally GAA " approach to any other aspect of reporting Gaelic games.
3.Noel Thompson's comments were in my opinion,inappropriate,unprofessional and judging from the reaction on this site ,inflammatory.

Solutions:
1.Treat internal disciplinary concerns with the same vigour as concerns over international rules violence.
2.Instead of gurning about the lack of coverage for Gaelic games compared to soccer,get our county,Ulster and national public relations people ,to do their job ,and actually promote our games in the media.Rugby coverage was always poor as well,but the we could learn alot from the way Ulster Rugby has promoted itself in recent years.It always amazed me to see how much advertising revenue Irish league clubs can generate-and I feel this is due to the preferential coverage they receive from the media,and fair play to them.It's time that our public relations men demanded a slice of that action,by actively and enthusiastically promoting our games,the way the soccer fraternity do.
3.The BBC and GAA need to sort the Noel Thompson issue out .

Interesting that Down's only success at Ulster club level this year were Bredagh-the only club not involved in league playoffs.Drumgath outstanding in Down IFC,must have been demotivated by their playoff defeats going into yesterday's encounter.The fact that  playoffs will continue to late November,with McKenna cup starting in January hardly helps burnout risk ,in players like Liam Doyle.Annaclone,Ballyholland etc.,have consistently proved that they're worthy of playing in the higher echelons,but how can they develop as a club ,if their seasons ultimately depend on playoffs every November.Championship is almost relegated to second place competition,in many quarters.Surely,these facts need to be examined by the county board,to optimise club development,revitalise our championships,and to give Ross his strongest hand.Any thoughts?

County:Down.
Club:??
Memory:Hill 16,1991.
Likes:GAA's tight transfer policy,and resultant authentic club rivalry-unmatched by other sports.
Dislikes:Fellow Down Gaels living on past glories,while Tyrone/Armagh gloat over recent success.
Club ambition:County IFC title.
County ambition:6th sam,within 3 years.

I know he's a wind up merchant,but I never miss an opportunity for a rant!

Though It is a scientific fact that alcohol has a detrimental effect on performance,I find the behaviour of "the gael" on this site reprehensible.To comment on the drinking habits of individuals/teams on this forum is scandalous.Drink has for a long time been the excuse wheeled out for any defeat by Hurlers on the ditch like "the Gael",in the absence of any  meaningful and mature analysis.
If Ross and the lads get beaten next year,at any stage,I eagerly await "the gael's" intelligent and rational  comments on the reason for defeat.
It would serve us better to explore why Down team's have consistently failed to perform at Senior county and Ulster club SFC,IFC,JFC levels.Personally,I feel the Down club league structure and playoff system may be one reason for our lack of success.Another,is that over the past 10 years we in Down,in general,have not embraced a committment to coaching at all levels with the same vigour as Tyrone,Armagh,Derry.Finally,I feel the constant living in the past,and misplaced arrogance has not served us well in recent years.
I have confidence Ross and the lads will do their bit,but county board need to realise that the management of the county senior team is only one piece of the jigsaw.There needs to be a root and branch analysis of why we are currently enduring the most barren time in recent Down history.