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Bit harsh on Kieran Courtney there Bacon given his performances all year, don't think your opinion would be shared by the rest of the county and certainly not the county management. Would you say the same thing about the guy if he was from the Ards? Doubt it

My opinion on the guy is well known, true hurling man who dedicates a lot of his spare time to his own club and indeed hurling development in other counties. People shouldn't be too quick to judge him on his media profile let's remember I don't see a stampede by inter county players anywhere to give their grant money back - a case of shooting the messenger.

Little doubt that Cork are on a downward trend after providing great entertainment to their supporters over the past ten years but in the same token it could be argued that Gerald's management of the team has accelerated that spiral. Quite simply it appears as if the man hasn't a clue some of his decision V tipp defied logic and a significant number of the plaeyers have no faith in him whatsoever and it is beginning to show in that the team appears to have no game plan.

I'll be there on Saturday in Thurles hoping against hope for one last hurrah from this team, if Cork play to their true potential anything could happen but I wouldn;t be surprised if we had a 2002 moment again certainly all the signs are there.

Good win for the senior hurlers yesterday was at the game and the new spirit within the team was clearly evident to see. Best wishes to Simon Wilson who dislocated his knee after falling awkwardly when fielding a high ball in the second half.

Down were full value for their win with Graham not having to make a save of note during the game although Mr Devlin did his best to keep the game close with his usual succession of "soft" frees to the opposition! Down were slow out of the blocks again despite playing with a strong breeze and this bad habit is going to catch them out shortly if it's not addressed. Big Magic was having a field day in the 1st half, great to have the big eejit back as he is some hurler when he wants to be. As usual he flipped throughout the game between being genuine All Star material and junior B hurler. The difference in the Down attack with both himself and Dule back on board is clearly evident and I really am optimistic of a real rattle at the Christy Ring this year.

Defence was solid in terms of keeping it tight at the back with Paddy Hughes hurling very well and big Kieran had another solid game despite taking a bad knock when the Meath centre forward was red carded for pulling across his face in the first half. Ball was about three yards away when the pull occurred and the fact Kieran required three stitches despite wearing a full mask helmet sums up the filth of the pull.

Simon was also having a good game at wing back before having to go off although his distribution leaves a lot to be desired at times, chasing his own score instead of feeding Magic who was roasting the full back. Gabrial Clarke was getting a roasting until Kieran's man was sent off after which he switched to play as the free man. Was surprised at the choice of free man as I'd have utilised either Kieran or Brendan in that role as both are more mobile than Gabrial but it worked out okay.

The extra man seemed to work against Down at times as Gabrial played in front of the full back line but Down's marking around the middle of the field became very loose and Meath started to dominate here despite a solid hour from Andy Savage, Ciaran Coulter wasn't' great with his first touch being very poor, he is a lot better hurler than that so not sure of it was "nerves" in trying too hard to secure his place.

Big Ruari had his usual game of some good things and then some mad things that an U12 wouldn't do but this is now becoming the norm for the big man while Dule had a good game despite being out of sorts a bit in the first half when Down switched Magic out to try and win some more possession during the final ten minutes of the first half. Brendan McGourty was okay and had one of his quieter games would still prefer to see him at midfield as I think this is his more natural position but we struggled for long periods to win primary possession from puck outs particularly in the later part of both halves.

Full forward line was our best line, great performance from big Magic while Conor Woods had a great game and I was surprised to see him being taken off in the final 10 minutes but he set up the first goal and took his point very well. Haven't always being Stephen Clarke's biggest fan but he hurled well yesterday and with a bit of luck could have had a couple of goals indeed the poor quality of the pitch cost Down at least three goals yesterday with players missing simple dips at the last minute when through on goal due to the bounce of the ball.

Looking at the League table this morning Down are top on score difference followed by Carlow both with five points while Derry have four points and Meath have two. Derry have to travel to Carlow yet and have Down at home next week while the best Meath can now hope for is six points. Expect Down to beat Derry next week but even if we don't a win V London would still get us seven points and in all likelihood enough to be in the top two for next year and secure our status in the new Division 2.

Vital win yesterday for hurling in the county and things seem to be progressing well under Jingo. As an aside I see the South Down team struggled to beat Cavan yesterday with the introduction of Eoin Mc Guinness and Jonny Mc Cusker changing the game, when you consider that Newry Shamrocks beat Cavan by 30 points last year without Kieran, Eoin or Artie it puts the South Down performance into context! Some questions need to start to be asked about the selections on this team with fine young hurlers like Alan Higgins etc left on the sidelines while guys of 35 who play for Junior clubs and wouldn't get a game at the likes of Shamrocks, Liatriom or Bredagh starting. With no Bredagh players on the team and the likes of Eoin and Jonny being left on the sideline you have to ask real questions, I know people will say that the two lads weren't at training but both have commitments at college etc and that needs to be taken into consideration as well. The South Down idea is a good concept but it should be used to blood young players as a feeder to the Senior team which is not happening at the moment.

Was caught in two minds about attending this game or the Down V Meath clash and opted for the latter in the end as I taped the Cork game. Would agree with most of the posters here that Dublin were very unlucky and Cork looked extremely rusty.

All the Cork goals were of the scappy variety and that is bound to be disappointing from a Dublin point of view but in fairness they showed a lot more bite up front that appeared to be the case V the Cats not sure if that says more about Cork's defence than the Dublin attack???

Full back line was the real issue for Cork last year conceding a significant number of goals, indeed the five conceded V Waterford in the Munster semi was more than they had conceded for the whole of 2006. The chopping and changing within the back line throughout the Championship didn't help to get a settled side and Gerard needs to sort that quickly prior to Championship. Personal opinion here but I'd like to see Wayne Sherlock back in the fold as I beleive he is still one of the best corner backs in the country. Good to see the Rebels back to winning ways and expect that to continue next week against Antrim before their final game in the Pairc against Wexford.

As for the Dubs genuinely beleive they are going to stay up and expect them to beat Wexford next week, as I believe that Wexford were very poor against both Antrim and Kilkenny while the Dubs have posted good-solid performnaces in all their matches thus far. No disrespect to Wexford but Dublin staying in Division 1 of the NHL is more important to hurling long term development than Wexford staying up and maintaining the status quo of top tier teams.

Denis Walsh was a member of both panels in 1990 and played in the Munster football championship however he wasn't part of the 24 named for the All Ireland football final and hence doesn't qualify in the same way as Teddy Mac.

This is nonsense about go and get your own money in reference to hurling. Reality is that the GAA allocates 30000 euro every year for hurling development squads in Derry - do the hurlers get that money?? Also what about the hurley and helmet subsidy provided from Croke Park in the region  of £10000 for Derry hurling which is meant to be allocated to the clubs to support the buying of equipment - I wonder are the hurling clubs getting all that as well.

You will find that hurling people will do whatever it takes to raise the money to keep their game going as they love it too much to let it die but what we won't accept is hurling money being siphoned off to support football projects and this being swept under the carpet at CB level.

There are two codes within the auspices of the GAA but unfortunately blinkered idiots like tonesfirstandlast can only see their own code, I'm sure the Irish patriot from which you derive your club name would be so proud of you,not!

Tonesfirstandlast to quote Arsene Wenger "there is no limit to people's intelligence or for that matter stupidity" I'm sure you'll guess which category you fall into!

Unless I'm mistaken Derry have won 1 All Ireland Senior title at Football hardly a great return for a county that devotes almost all its resources to football! Lot of great hurling people in Derry but their county board's attitude to hurling absolutely stinks, if I'm not wrong they actually suspended the last Derry representative on the Ulster Hurling committee as they didn't like the fact that he was updating everyone there on their antics!

Derry clubs have always held their own at senior level with both Lavey and recently Dungiven being unlucky to lose to Antrim teams that went on to hold their own against southern representation. In reality with the schools and underage structure they have Derry should be challenging Antrim regularly for Ulster titles at all levels and are far better placed to do so than Down and yet Down in the majority of cases have a stronger team at senior level thanks mainly to the three Ards clubs. Situation in Derry is a scnadal but no one in the corridors of power wants to force them to live up to their obilgations.

Tonesfirstandlast I'm assuming you made your "football rejects" comment to try and sitr things up as it is so pathetic it is unbeleivable. I think you will find that all the evidence suggests that good hurlers generally make good footballers due to their eye for the ball etc but the reverse is certainly not true.

The GAA was founded in 1884 to support the revival of hurling and ensure the promotion of our national game, Micheal Cusack and others would be turning in their graves at the attitude of the Derry CB and they have the nerve to call themselves GAA people or indeed Gaels for that matter.

The attitude of the powers that be within Derry towards hurling are possibly amongst the worst anywhere in the country. I know that Monaghan and Cavan come in for a lot of stick at Ulster hurling meetings for their attitiude to the development of the game but to me the attitude in Derry is worse because unlike either of the aforementioned counties there is real potential within the playing pool in Derry which is being strangled by the county board obsessed with football success (or attempting to get it).

Derry CB are now complaining about the Ulster hurling league and trying to put the scupper on it and to be honest it is time that the Ulster Council and Croke Park stepped in and told these guys to wise up and get into line. Some great hurling people in Derry and this kind of attitude from the county board must just be wearing them down.

Bacon, you are dead right about Joe Cosgrove as I was rung about it on Sunday night by a couple of lads in our own club who were asking why they couldn't play on Sunday if Joe could.

I heard that Joe pulled out of the junior panel but that doesn't change the fact that the competition was meant to be for all clubs to play for the duration of the tournament without their county players. Expect this to be raised at the hurling board meeting in a couple of weeks time if not before depends on Castlewellan's attitude.

Quidnunc, Sean Og actually get's a car from Ulster Bank with whom he is employed and yes there is no doubt that his terms fo employment are "flexible" due to who he is and the type of role that Ulster Bank want him to perform but let's not forget that back in the 70's and 80's when unemployment was rife in Ireland very few intercounty players on the top teams were unemployed as they were all in jobs due to their profile so this isn't a new fad it is just more structured and in the public eye more.

I would raise an eyebrow about your comments regarding appearance fees when you mention the Cork players, do you want to eleborate on this with some specific examples rather than hear say and are you also suggesting that Cork are the only county whose players are in sponsored cars or indeed alledgedly getting paid for appearances.

As someone who has had the priviege of having a number of the Cork hurlers at his club on 4 occasions I can state that they never asked for a penny and when offered money as an appreciation of the time they had taken to travel etc they refused.

Happy to be proved wrong if you can back up your assumptions with facts but it certainly hasn't been my experience.

Agree with Uladh on this one, yet another thread dominated by the anti GPA malcontents! The way some people talk on this website u'd swear they were the only people who made any contribution to the GAA.

Reality is that there are plenty of people who put a lot of effort into the GAA in terms of admin and coaching who don't begrudge the players anything, the sacrifices they make are massive to play at the highest level and let's not forget that its these players, their skills and the entertainment they provide that inspire young players to follow in their footsteps and come down to their local GAA pitch.

I am totally against pay for play as I don't think our organisation could afford it but I think it is a bit rich for people to attack players for expressing their views when the GAA is playing so many officials throughout Ireland for very little return in many cases.

Counihan told County Board he wasn't taking the job unless he appointed his own selectors - fair play to him. Given what he has done with Aghada he should be successful and I expect him to shake things up a bit in terms of the panel - expect to see a few less Nemo men on the panel.

Fair play to Cody offering the refixture, say what you like about the Cats (I'm not their biggest fan for obvious reasons!) but they are true hurling people and just want to play the game. Of course they are delighted to have Cork back as beating Cork on the way to a three in a row and over taking Cork at the top of the roll of honour is every Kilkenny man's dream!

I'd have to back Zulu regarding the general opinion of Teddy Holland's coaching prowess within the Cork football fraternity. Although I'm living well away from Cork now I still visit often and keep in regular contact with my relations who are all active in their local clubs and the opinion of Teddy Holland wouldn't be great in Duhallow anyway although there is a bit of bias there perhaps as some people would have liked to see John Fintan Daly get an opportunity although I'm not sure whether he would be up to it either. I'd know a couple of the players both hurling and football so I have been keeping pretty close to a lot of this and that is why I stated with confidence about a week ago that despite other previous efforts the players weren't budging on the TH issue as they saw him taking the job as a total break of trust and respect.

I think Tony Leahy would be the obvious choice but he is now commited to the Barrs so whether he would or indeed could do both jobs is debatable. The sad reality is that everyone's opinion on whether Teddy is up to the job or not will be coloured somewhat by people's view on the strike in general although there is no denying he is seen as being very "controlable" from a CB perspective.

I'd have to back Zulu on the Teddy Mac issue as well the guy has done nothing from a football perspective and just because you were a good player it doesn't follow you would be a good selector or coach.

The vast majority of the Cork GAA public aren't that interested what happens with the football team, that is reality as long as the hurlers are back on the road again and that is why the hurlers supporting the strike was so vital as left to their own devices the footballers would have been easy pickings for the County Board.

To be honest Teddy Holland hasn't done himself any favours, first in taking a job when about 5 other candidates had refused to oppose the feelings of the players and now refusing to resign despite the recommednation of Kieran Mulvey.