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Decent enough game in the marshes this evening. You can't help but wonder if the Bridge lost because all their players were cramping up in extra time when none of the Burren lads appeared to be suffering. Bridge lads aren't being trained appropriately, perhaps?

Laverty works in Dublin during the week which is some hike coming from Kilcoo each day. On top of this he wants to remain involved with the U-20 and still tog out for the club.

Sounds like he's taking on a lot but why is someone who is untested at club level being given the county job?

I suppose when you go nearly thirty years without a provincial title, it's hardly surprising lads don't feel inspired to play for the county. The hunger just isn't there and lads are departing the county scene a bit too prematurely. There also appears to be a disconnect between club scene and the county these days.

If rumours are true and James has stood down, could Micky Moran be talked into becoming the next Down manager with Conor Laverty on board?

He's pushing seventy and it's an act of desperation to be even thinking of approaching him.

If Laverty is the solution, then what was the question? From a distance he look like somebody who is a divisive figure.

Let's be honest, if Down packed up and left the inter county scene for good, would anyone kick up a fuss over it?

Hello all, long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm not surprised to hear fellas are walking away from the county or have no desire to play county football. I have watched Down (and the transformation of the game itself) since the mid 1990s and have always wondered why anyone would be interested in playing Gaelic Football -  particularly when its being played in the fashion adopted by all counties throughout the island.

Men behind the ball, the endless fist passing and goalkeepers running up the park like headless chickens. It's a style which has been willingly embraced by counties who have had little or no success in the last century and were desperate for success but not by playing the game in its orthodox fashion. This new brand of 'football' (if you can call it that) has been encouraged by managers who fancy themselves a bit too much and think they're enlightened thinkers. In reality they are just legends in their own heads.

Down has always been a traditional county and we were reluctant to go along with this craze. Unsurprisingly, this has translated into lack of success at inter county level. There is no aesthetic appeal within Gaelic Football like there once was. Players no longer punt the ball 40 yards into the forward line which, when done successfully, was a thing of beauty to behold particularly when you have corner forwards battling with their marker. Now it's all risk averse and about 'recycling possession'.

Over the years I have seen supporters of the game, especially the armchair ones, lose interest and I don't blame them. Why would you want to watch the muck being served up? More importantly, why would you want to train six nights a week just to master the art of fist passing within your own half? Down have nothing to prove to anyone but if other lesser counties want to indulge themselves in this then be my guest - I'll stick to the club scene.