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I said that 4 years ago when I stopped playing reserves - a game every other week would work for most clubs and players. I can't understand the boards need to play a load of games especially at that level. I think sometimes there's a bit of 'stop them playing something else' in it.

Lads in the local soccer club were saying they were struggling to get the 2nd and 3rds level lads to commit to a full season there too. They start in mid August and there could be games every Saturday more or less to May. A bit less would probably help them too. Rathfriland's 1st team played over 50 matches last season!

It was ok years ago to head away every Saturday or Sunday for whatever sport you play; GAA, soccer or even golf; but lads with families have less time to give nowadays. When I played reserve matches you were away for just after 12 and not back to after 5 if it was away to Downpatrick or Carryduff. There was no one welcoming you back home after that. At least with golf you can pick your own time.
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Why do clubs sign up for seconds/thirds football if they cannot field? Everyone wants what suits them nowadays - fancy a bit of seconds in march/April - I'll do that - bored in May so won't bother going. Soccer starts in August - try a bit of that. Bored in October- won't go back. Repeat.

After watching the final yesterday - it is a blessing we didn't win the B championship. Imagine being pitted in a group with either of those teams - the Armagh result from this year would be deemed a good one. The level of the game was through the roof and the physicality of both teams was extreme. We are light years away from that - thank god for Meath.

Club scene hotting up now with promotion sorted from all divisions and a few relegations also sorted. Two fixtures remaining in preparation for the championship which is a month away. Whilst we suffered at the hands of the noisy neighbours on Friday - we won't be that far away come championship (I hope). Getting injured players back and some returning to the pitch in nxt few weeks is priority. Holidays are done - it's time for the real football to begin.

What's wrong at Bryansford? One of the great clubs.

There are a few clubs in the same situation. Clubs that were big in terms of numbers and titles. Next season we will have no teams from the area of Mourne in division 1, no teams from Newry, no Downpatrick, Brysnsford - a lot of big clubs outside the top ten.

Big week ahead for fixtures. Carryduff have to go into the lions den and win tomorrow night to prove they have the mettle to win this league. Kilcoo may be short a few but still won't want to lose at home to a team with genuine championship credentials. Bredagh, bryansford and Longstone have been cut adrift at the bottom so all other teams being safe can focus on championship preparations.

Club games Friday night and Monday - are there any county players still in the country?? I hate that when the county season is done they think they are above playing club football for a few weeks until they are brought back to earth by a voice in the crowd telling them the truth.

It has to go down as a poor year - hear me out. We lost out in a reasonably poor division 3 with Cavan being the exception. Had Antrim and Westmeath taken their chances it could've been embarrassing. Then we won an ulster championship game for the first time in ages and follow it up with as bad a performance tactically as I've seen in a long time. I don't want to hear about Armagh being on the road longer etc etc as that means nothing when it's a game between 30 players at the same so called standard.
Then we get a run in the B competition and gather a bit of momentum before blitzing a savage poor Laois in the semis. As someone already mentioned - a good club division 1 team wudve toppled them.. into the final and we leave a 6'2 man on the sideline who is as athletic as we have in the county, is experienced as has played in 2 club all Ireland finals and has great fielding ability - beggars belief.. Shane Annett - another 6'1 athletic player - on the bench.. crazy..
finally - stop this bulls**t about winning two ulster u20 titles. We absolutely stole the first one as Monaghan best player was killed in the lead up to it and this year the team was a dream team that Micky mouse cudve won ulster with. I know they were ambushed at minor level but that was never happening again.
So weigh it up
U20 two years ago - first test against a team - beaten
U20 this year - as above
Senior this year - test v Cavan in league - beat, test v Fermanagh in league - beaten - test v Armagh in championship- embarrassed - test v Meath in Chsmpionship - beaten..

Laverty may well seem to be the best we have at present - but the whole thing needs a shakeup to get the results required to get back competing again where it matters.. enjoyed the amount of games this year but not the quality on view by our own.

If the team don't win this - there is no hope for us. Meath are poor but will stick with us for 40 minutes and then we should see the real Down take over.

Some very tasty draws in the Senior Championship

It's not really championship tho until the back door crap is over - those beat in Round one won't be too bothered..

Fantastic. Just unbelievable.. Kilcoo players looked completely at home out there. Competitive panel now for the next three weeks of training with lots of lads chomping at the bit to get playing in the final.

Some show put on yesterday evening. Laverty and go deserve great credit as Mason left the panel to get football with his club - was playing really well for them and was drafted back in and the last game and 1/2 has been outstanding.  Paddy McCarthy had a stinker in an earlier league game but they have worked with him and the last two games he has been unreal.. Management that can recognise a player needing game time and still not shutting the door on them deserve commendation.. Ryan Johnston was outstanding and we are an unbelievable team when he plays.. can't wait to see murdock et al in Croke park next weekend..

What's the story with McEvoy & Rooney playing for Kilcoo last night? Why would they be risked with Longford game so close?

A risk that backfired with pictures of Ryan McEvoy going around in hospital after injury during the game. Might miss remainder of TC I heard..

As dreadful as you say and I'm not making any excuses for our performance which was poor but, last night we were missing 12 players from our championship run to the final last year which might explain being a shadow of ourselves. With 7 injuries , 2 travellers 1 transfer & 2 county players we definitely are struggling in some matches. More disappointing is that the great CPN supporter JohnnyBoy should know we have these problems. Some more long term than short. But you take 12 starting players out of any team and you are going to struggle. To have 9 points at the half way stage and be mid table is an excellent return in the predicament we find ourselves IMO. Hopefully some of these 12 will be back before the league ends & Championship starts.
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7 injuries - let's get that one sorted first - we may get Lynch and possibly Murdock back - we would be lucky if any others get back and would be in the latter stages of championship if that happens. 2 travellers - we ain't having them all season and one transfer explains itself.. why oh why do we always look at what we are missing instead of what we have?? The travellers will not play this year and I'm thinking 5 of the injuries won't either so are we going to put the whole season down to 7 players we absolutely knew we were never going to have?  Grow up.. every single club in this county are missing players in every single game through injury, travel etc but they don't harp on about it. 9 points is a poor return from 9 games if we are being honest and we are just lucky there are worse teams in the league than ourselves.

Can the club season please just end.....

Final round of league fixtures in round one this week. Is there any outstanding player out there that has been missed by county management who would make a real sustainable challenge to make the team consistently? I don't think I have seen any..

Kilcoo beat again. With McEvoy, Morgan, Johnston all freed up to play. Are Clonduff dark horses? Have now beaten a few of the so called big guns in round one of the league.