Messages

Dublin 0-11 Cork 2-12

Good to have you on board Jerome.....sorry Toby! 

[Dundrum might even have dumped us into Div 4 in the late 80s/early 90s... I'm just a touch too young to remember for sure though! (pretty sure we did have a league play off against them, not sure if it was a promotion or relegation play-off)]

Mayobridge is the only club in Down to have come from div 4 to div 1,in living memory

Maybe not division 4, but you'd have found Kilcoo, Saval, Ballyholland, Longstone, An Riocht, Liatroim all languishing in lower league football 20 odd years ago. Along with Mayobridge, they're now all SFC staples.

I can check the dates, but if I remember right, we (Kilcoo) got promoted from Div 3 to Div 2 in '97, then to Div 1 in '98.

Dundrum might even have dumped us into Div 4 in the late 80s/early 90s... I'm just a touch too young to remember for sure though! (pretty sure we did have a league play off against them, not sure if it was a promotion or relegation play-off)

The county board doesn't decide a club's position 6th Sam. The attitude, resolve and persistence of its members do this.

Absolutely.

Anything else is just excuses.

If a club goes looking for advice and help on how to coach youngsters, they will get it. But the club needs to be serious about taking it on.

Luckily for me, our committee and members were very serious and followed through. So, when I was coming through underage, men like Ray Morgan were in training us once in a while and showing our coaches new methods at the same time.

Now, there are a number of county development officers - so clubs really don't have much to hide behind for not getting their coaching up to scratch if they are serious about it.

Dundrum were runners up in 1986 in Division 4 and got promotion. Then in 1987 we won Division 3. We stayed in Division 2 until 1994. We also claimed the scalp of Saval in the 1st Round of the SFC in 1989. I think Shamrocks beat us in the Quarter Finals that year.

I've a newspaper snippet from 1989 from a Division 2 game were Dundrum beat Kilcoo 1-08 to 1-07 in Dundrum. James and Dan Morgan were marked out as star Kilcoo performers that day. John Kielty, brother of Paddy, top scored with 0-05.

Funnily enough alongside that snippet it showed that Dundrum won a further two games that week. We hammered Warrepoint 4-08 to 0-04 and beat Carryduff 2-05 to 0-09. How times have changed.

You may wish to inform the county records on that.  According to those Saval defeated Liatroim in the Intermediate Championship final in 1989.   Perhaps it was the following year.

[Kilcoo]

SFC semi-finals
Kilcoo v Clonduff
Burren v Rostrevor

IFC semi-finals
Clann na Banna v Kilclief
Ballymartin v Dundrum

JFC semi-finals
Bright v Dromara
Bredagh v Teconnaught

Every second kick should have to be a drop kick. Drop kicks are a dying art. Back when football was class in the 70's they were all at it, surely it would improve the game immeasurably.

lol...drop kicks are like russian roulette. I've seen some howlers over the years.

Most intercounty footballers can't kick a 30 yard pass accurately, nevermind drop kick it accurately.

Christ - it seems if I want everyone to get it, I have to come up with a way of making it even clearer when I'm being sarcastic. Now theres a challenge...

Kinda off the point here, but I think Gregory McCartan used to abide by that rule....that man thoroughly enjoyed a good drop kick!

[Rostrevor]

Predictions League

SFC
Ballyholland v Rostrevor
Loughinisland v Clonduff
Mayobridge v Burren
Bryansford v Kilcoo

IFC
St John's v Kilclief
Annaclone v Clan na Banna
Ballymartin v Bosco
Dundrum v Atticall
JFC
Saul v Bredagh
St Michael's v Teconnaught
Aghaderg v Bright
St Paul's v Dromara

[Rostrevo]

Rostrevor v Downpatrick
Liatriom v Kilcoo
An Riocht v Bryansford
Loughinisland v Tullylish
Clonduff v Castlewellan
Saval v Mayobridge
Longstone v Burren
Warrenpoint v Ballyholland
IFC
Drumgath v Clan na Banna
St Johns v Glasdrumman
Ballymartin v Ardglass
Drumaness v Attical
Kilclief v Shamrocks
Carryduff v Dundrum
Glenn v St John Bosco
Darragh Cross v Annaclone
JFC
Bright v Mitchels
Dromara v Aughlisnafinn
Saul v Ballykinler

with regard to the Murphy/Kearney discussion and whether they should be on the panel, its my belief that both are good enough to be included.  although only two club league games have been played this year it does appear that both players have been the stand out performers for the two promoted teams thus far.

Murphy is strong, athletic and a very good fielder of the ball.  Although sometimes i feel he can take too much out of the ball (at times) for his club, its not something i've seen him do for Down.  He is most definitely a viable midfeild or even possibly half back option.  In my OPINION he could be ahead of Colgan in the pecking order.  I await a blacklash from the Colgan fans!

I'm not totally sure where, or indeed why, the Kearney v Poland debate began.  There is most definitely room for both in the panel!   I'm a big fan of Poland, he's been a revelation for Down.  He's fleet of foot, as has already been noted a competent score taker, and has also won his fair share of break ball at times.
Kearney is a different type of player, he's strong, a good ball winner and an excellent passer.  As has been noted he may not have been the best score getter for Down in the past, i don't think that it his main asset, and there is much more do a half forward than scoring...though it is useful to have the ability to get a score when the opportunity presents itself, something i think Kearney is capable of.  Anyway i always felt both Ross and James played him quite deep, helping the defence.

Finally whether Murphy or Kearney left the panel in the past of their own accord is not a major issue.  This is a new year and we want the strongest available panel to challenge in the 2011 chapionship, both would improve the panel whether from the starting team, from the bench or by simply pushing the players who are already there forward in training. 

Is Liatriom v Longstone in Saval or Newry today? It was originally fixed for Newry in press but i see Down website has it listed for Saval? Anyone confirm?

Saval at 3pm Mid Down Gael.  With the Tullylish Ulster Intermediate game fixed for Pairc Esler tomorrow they moved the game to saval after all the rain in the last few days I believe.

Ballyholland are a Newry team and will be in Division 1! So less of this no Newry City team in the top 2!

Have to say Shane Mulholland has done a fantastic job with the team this year to be the standout team in Div 2.

They narrowly but deservedly lost a Div 2 final last year to the Kingdom who had 2 All Stars in their team (as we know now!) but to lift the team and achieve more this year is a tremendous achievement. Shane could be a future Down manager???

Sorry for any offence caused but I have never regarded Ballyholland as a Newry team.  Not sure if Ballyholland people regard themselves as a Newry team either, but would be interested in finding out.

Must agree with your second statement however, Shane has done a fantastic job and they fully merit promotion! 

Now that the dust has settled on the Down championship I'd just like till congratulate Umpire on successfully organising the prediction league especially considering it was within such a short period of time....just wish I'd placed a bet on any of my 34 correct answers!!

On the play-off issue, I'm looking forward to the meeting of Liatroim and Longstone this Saturday.  Both teams are formidable on their day with the stone in particular able to play fast flowing and high scoring football.  The vast surface of Saval should suit them, however Ambrose will be a major loss and they will need the Poland's, Doran's and Ryan Kelly to produce big games.  Liatroim have been in this position many times over the last few years and have survived on every occasion.  The wet ball will suit them and in Aidan O'Prey have one of the best target men/score getters in down football. Miceal McCartan has been very impressive for them and they are generally tight at the back.  It really is a very tough one to call and they have played each other on many occasions over the last three years with neither team assuming any real superiority. I wouldn't be surprised if extra time was required, although lets hope that unlike in Clonduff park last year after Liatroim and Saval that the ref does play it this year!

In division 2 Downpatrick and Saval should also be tight.  They always seem to produce low scoring encounters with little to separate them. Both teams are physically very big though Downpatrick could have the slight edge.  The midfield battle will be key as both teams have forwards capable of scoring heavily with a plentiful supply of ball.  like the wobbler I feel this could be a game littered with fouls and would not be surprised if either team finished the game with less than the full compliment of players. 

Shamrocks and Kilcleif have found themselves at the wrong end of the league table for the last couple of years.  Both teams have quality players but I just think Kilclief have the ability to win this game as they may deal with the pressure better.  Although having said that Shamrocks put in a great run to stay up in this division last year against the odds.  Also I think it would be a shame if no team from the city of Newry were in either of the top two divisions of down club football.

Darragh cross should beat Drumgath in division three as I think they have the better all round team.  However Drumgath have some great individual talents and on their day can beat anyone in this division!

[Burren]

SFC final
Burren v Bryansford

IFC final
Annaclone v Tullylish

Just to echo previous sentiments, super job umpire, don't know how you do it!

Really unsure about the senior championship final today, have changed my mind numerous times this week and have just changed it again this morning.  Probably doing the wrong thing but i'm ignoring my gut instinct and going with the head.  Think the impact of Conor Maginn will decide the game, if Burren contain his influence they will be nearly there.

Hope its a good game either way.  good luck to all four teams today.

[Kilcoo]

MFC

Kilcoo v Rostrevor

[Mayobridge]

SFC semi finals
Burren v Mayobridge
Bryansford v Kilcoo

IFC semi finals
Annaclone v Carryduff
Tullylish v Drumgath

[Kilcoo]

Kilcoo v An Riocht
Bryansford v Saval