Messages

Crans prevailed after extra time. Close game throughout although I did fancy the Crans who gained momentum as the championship got going and the pitches got softer. A direct brand of hurling which suits their personnel. Whether they'll be able to do anything with the winners of Dunloy/Slaughtneil in January is another story.

Ports thought they'd it in the bag after winning some early round games well but then struggled thereafter. Speedier of the two teams overall and they'll be licking their wounds after yesterday..

How did Down teams do in Antrim league this year?

Ports went well enough and were third, Crans midtable respectability and we were bottom of Div1.

Bredagh are midtable Div2B which you'd expect them to get out of as they're better than that although they do struggle to get their best 15 out and like ourselves there's maybe a lack of strength in depth to cover those losses.

No doubt youse will be back, but demographics are a challenge in the future for the GAA with smaller numbers in rural areas. I think the GAA moving to 13 a side overall would be a smart move , as rural clubs are going to be increasingly challenged in getting 15 players out in both codes

You will be challenging yourselves in a few years I believe Sam . From small acorns and all that . Trying to keep your coastal neighbours on their toes !!

10.00 am and still no words of wisdom from the Point ! Ffs how much longer do we have to wait? Come on papa Smurf.

Any update Smurfy on who is today's likely candidate ?

Great atmosphere yesterday in Pairc Esler for both games .

Lots of excitement mounting for this Burren side .Liam Kerr a massive loss as he has been player of the championship so far.

In fairness to Packy no malice intended , you don't want ever want to be hit by Packy but hopefully Liam recovers quickly.

Interesting chat going around about the Convention , rumour is a new regime being proposed to bring Down GAA more modern and to begin challenging again for silverware

Proposed nominations for County Board - these men are being approached to try and get them to run

Chairman - Connal Murray Darragh Cross
Vice Chairman -Gerard Connerry Carryduff
Secretary - not up yet for change still in post until readvertised
Assistant Secretary -Paul Fegan Burren
Treasurer -Padraig Matthews Clonduff
Coaching Officer - Ross Carr - (to oversee County Coaches etc and Underage Squads )
PRO -Anthony McNamee Ballyholland
Central Council -Roger Morgan Kilcoo
Ulster Council - Jack Devanney Bredagh and
Irish and Cultural Officer -Sean Gallagher Shamrocks

Feeling is if these men could be persuaded to run we would be looking at a transformed County in the years to come.

So you are saying this list of people is being touted as being a replacement county executive and they haven't confirmed they want to run for position. That's clever

[CPN decision imminent meeting tonight]

A good few openings for next season from what I hear
Clubs need to be on the ball pretty soon

Bryansford decision imminent
Rostrevor
Loughinisland
Saul
Longstone
Castlewellan
CPN decision imminent meeting tonight
Newry Shamrocks
Newry Bosco
Carryduff
Bredagh decision imminent
Glenn decision imminent


A busy few weeks for clubs

I really hope Hollo gets the road tbh.. brought us silverware yes - but his approach is all wrong.. we have players another year older now and still no championship.. Should've got McCorry before them Uns up the road did...

I am hearing reports than Poacher will be heading to Rostrevor next season, interesting appointment

Hopefully that's the closest he gets to the red and black !

Castlewellan not happy at getting promoted and winning a SFC game? Or is that management team moving on of their own accord? Seemed a fairly successful year for them...

L'Island have wasted a good group of players IMO over the last number of years. Makings of a really good team but always flopped on the bigger days. For a string of a few years they had Quarter Finals done and dusted but seemed to conspire to mess it up...now their team is ageing. Flynn and Mason entering the latter stages of their careers and Dan hasn't loads of time left either I wouldn't think...have the got anything coming through at Minor or 21 level?

Rostrevor are in real trouble...they just seem to be going from bad to worse. Have a few good lads who want to give everything for the jersey and then they have a vast majority who don't seem to care one bit what happens the club. From what I've seen this year they have shown no heart, no passion and no leadership on or off the field. The great Pete McGrath surely won't stay on another year but who will take them? Can't see anyone massively dying to take them other than the allure of an Intermediate championship and Ulster run, they'll be getting spanked every week in Div1 and with 12 teams in the league next year they would do very very well to finish 3rd bottom...sad times for the Super Reds

Completely off the mark about Loughinisland.. We had 3 players over 30 playing in championship hardly an ageing team and Flynn and Mason are both only 28 so just coming into their Prime as footballers both physically and experience wise.. We've good young players coming through who will need to fill out physically over the winter, been hard for them to do with gyms being closed for near a full 18months with COVID so expecting 18-20 year olds  to take the team forward is a bit much..  but if they get in it over the winter period we will be in good stead for next season

Is Jody Gormley away?

?? Saul maybe. Vacancy there I believe

Can this discussion not be about teams still left in the championship

Smart arse

Very impressive display from Glenn tonight. Some great individual performances all over the park but they are a very cohesive unit and will be very dangerous. How'd they not get out of Div 2 ?

Just flicked on the Late Late. The 3 Amigos. Talentless or what . How do guys like this steal a living

I have heard all the names that everyone has heard
Deegan
Laverty
O Rourke
Oaks
Hackett


Do I think any of the above are Downs first choice picks no not in the slightest
Do I think they are struggling and above are the options now? Maybe
Do I think we have all been fooled and Down will name a big name manager soon? Yes

If it was any of the above what reason is there not to announce him before the championship starts tomorrow night? None

If they are still working on someone then that's the hold up. That is the only reason why a delay in naming a man is happening

Struggling to get who they want and are still in discussions

I don't believe any of the above are first choice picks but it could happen

No other reason why it should take over 9 weeks

Who are Oaks and Hackett?

That'd be three years in a row Downpatrick wound have been thrown out of championship if my math is right

Any reason Carryduff and Downpatrick have been excluded from SFC?

Sometimes it's just best to accept defeat with a bit of grace and move on.

Concentrating on SFC but think there was a curse put on them same time as Mayo.