Messages

[with those who have refused to let him line out for his club seniors for what ever reason]

On the Mooney addition, I dont think there should be much of a fuss. Down through the years theres always been the odd exceptional minor who has been involved with the senior squad (ie) Benny and Colm McAlarney to name a couple and they were exceptional. And Mooney we would all agree is exceptional given his performances at under age so far and particularly in big games.

So if one or two fringe players have left the panel whats wrong with calling up the best 18 year old in the county and maybe country as a replacement. He too in my opinion will only be a fringe player - a squad member. If it was any other young minor then I would question it but as Mooney does not play snr football with his club (which is what any good minor should be looking to do) and will be gone next year who cares? Who cares about his development - let Collingwood worry about that.

The real issue here is not about James's decision to call him up but with those who have refused to let him line out for his club seniors for what ever reason. If I was his fellow club man I
would be dissapointed.

I would have thought that the call up and use of Eoin McCartan to be more of an issue to other members of the sqaud as afterall he is a player who is physically limited due to injury.

Who would you being talking about?

I was maybe a tad harsh with that statement.

I dont actually know who. Maybe himself, school teachers, parents, club officials or whoever, there must be some reason why he has'nt played at senior club level? And I cant say I blame them due to burn out etc. The point is, he is playing senior football now - with the county and maybe his club would love to have him onboard for rest of the summer.

On the Mooney addition, I dont think there should be much of a fuss. Down through the years theres always been the odd exceptional minor who has been involved with the senior squad (ie) Benny and Colm McAlarney to name a couple and they were exceptional. And Mooney we would all agree is exceptional given his performances at under age so far and particularly in big games.

So if one or two fringe players have left the panel whats wrong with calling up the best 18 year old in the county and maybe country as a replacement. He too in my opinion will only be a fringe player - a squad member. If it was any other young minor then I would question it but as Mooney does not play snr football with his club (which is what any good minor should be looking to do) and will be gone next year who cares? Who cares about his development - let Collingwood worry about that.

The real issue here is not about James's decision to call him up but with those who have refused to let him line out for his club seniors for what ever reason. If I was his fellow club man I
would be dissapointed.

I would have thought that the call up and use of Eoin McCartan to be more of an issue to other members of the sqaud as afterall he is a player who is physically limited due to injury.

[Can hardly balm J Clarke, the way he has been treated is a joke!]

Ronan Sexton and Sean Murdock are no longer on the panel, Aidan Carr I cant confirm, maybe somebody else can?

Agree with those that dont agree with the decision, not fair on the lad or those that are already on the panel.  A huge step up, it took benny a bit of time to make an impact and he had played a bit of senior club football before playing for the county i think. ( stand by to be corrected on that )

Mooney is an exceptional talent, is he as good as coulter was at that age? I dont no, does he have the same impact on games that coulter did? I dont no, is he ready for intercounty senior football, no imo.

The other point is that it smacks of short term thinking.  He is going to be there next year so unless they think he can come in and make an impact immediately, what is the point?

John Clarke, Mickey Magee and Kevin Anderson are also no nonger members of the squad im led to believe.

Can hardly balm J Clarke, the way he has been treated is a joke!

What way has he been treated? Surely you are not referring to him being subsitituted against Armagh?

Theres no doubt that John Clarke is a fine footballer and that he has all the skills required for playng with the county but maybe he does not have the mentality for the big games? Too often he goes missing and just doe'nt produce the goods. I was very suprised he started against Armagh given the displays of Murtagh and Lavery in the league game. IMO he is still worth his place in the panel but just not the starting 15 at the minute given the options in the forward line.

FFS would people stop whing on about Ambrose. The lad is still trying to recover from serious injury. Did you happen to see his two brief club appearances this season? We as Down supporters should only be grateful if we see him back next year. Do you seriously think he will walk back into the team and continue on from where he left off last year.

King and Fitzpatrick are the best we have at the minute apart from Big Dan who is also our best option at full back. I'm a big fan of Colgan but he's a CHB not a midfielder, whilst Murph is a half back but would add extra mobility at midfield.

As for Aidan Carr, who would you drop? Maginn,Hughes, M Clarke, Coulter,Poland, or McComiskey? The lads not good enough for the h/f line at the moment but would be an option if any of the half forwards get injured. 

[Even when Armagh are winning the chip appears on the shoulder. Armagh fans - the Linfield fans of GAA. Enjoy the moment lads and allow yourselves a bit of happiness every now and again for the odd win.']

'Even when Armagh are winning the chip appears on the shoulder. Armagh fans - the Linfield fans of GAA. Enjoy the moment lads and allow yourselves a bit of happiness every now and again for the odd win.'


Oh the irony! still hurting I see lol.

Thats just you second reply on this post where is your hilarious first reply? Are you embarrassed by your little rant?

Just relax B/F, relax.

Talk about throwing a dog a bone

[As ive stated in my previous post, the loss really doesnt bother me that much.]

As ive stated in my previous post, the loss really doesnt bother me that much.Ye dont perform ye dont win. Armagh performed and Down didnt.
Im happy enough at Down footballs progress to date.
And i also dont agree that we were stuffed.

But if it makes you feel any better work away there, keep patting yourself on the back with your wee graphics and crackin 'jokes'.

Sometimes when ye win/ose it pays to maintain your dignity and do it with a bit of class, no matter how euphoric or indeed disappointing the result may be.

You're spitting feathers, ya sour cnut.

Even when Armagh are winning the chip appears on the shoulder. Armagh fans - the Linfield fans of GAA. Enjoy the moment lads and allow yourselves a bit of happiness every now and again for the odd win.

I wanted things to settle down before posting my comments on the match (Its been raining and I normally post better replies on a dry day).

First of all well done Armagh the better and hungrier team won. The obvious thing about Armaghs performance on Saturday night was that it was orchestrated by a Down man. Armagh won the game 'playing the Down way' with some great attacking football. I hope now that other counties will adopt this brand of football, the GAA will be better for it.

As for Down, there is now a month or so for the players to get ready for the qualifiers, the squad will now have to regroup with some having time now to work on their fitness. The managment now also have time to work on the things that went wrong on Saturday night.

As for what lays ahead for both teams now who knows? Down will need to get thier heads right for the next match regardless of how good or bad the opposition if they want to kick on in the qualifiers. As for Armagh, an Ulster title will seem a realistic target but will the likes of Mackin, T Kernan, Vernon, and M O'Rourke play as well again as they did on Saturday? It would seem unlikely? Will B J Padden with his huge frame be in the right place at the right time as often against Derry (hey)?

All I can say is Wicklow revenge is sweet, we're coming to to get ye.

Last year, Down were very lucky to beat Donegal. Both teams were dung and to be honest, Down should have been bate out the gate. Tyrone beat Down in Casement, easily. Down went in through the back door and got Kerry in Croke Park. Kerry were sitting ducks, imo. Both Sligo and Antrim could have done a number on them the year before. Down beat them and got their gander up. They got to the AI final. They were lucky, IMO, without taking away from them.

I can't see them doing anywhere near as well as they did last year. Armagh will beat them and all will be well in the world.

Last year Armagh were duffed by Monaghan who were beyond dung. Armagh were were bate out the gate in that game with ease. Next up were the gutless dubs who played terribly yet still treated Armagh like whipping days that day for another embarrasing defeat for Armagh. Even the sitting ducks of Kerry were only in Armaghs wildest dreams as the mighty men from Mourne marched on. To sum Armagh up they were shite and all was well in the world.

For Armagh, I can't see them doing anywhere near as well as they did last year, the likes of Antrim or Sligo will be probably do a number on them in the qualifiers and all welll be well in the world.

Is it true that tickets are not selling for this match? Surely not. This is easily the biggest 1st round tie in the country.

As of Mon night the number of tickets, stand and terrace, issued to Armagh clubs was 1595!

Poorly supported county, it would appear that the last of the the 2002 bandwagon jumpers would prefer the champions league or the Kings of Leon.

Well there you have it lads, Armagh are right back in it. With Oisin back onboard they're looking like favourites now. Although it can be slightly embarrasing for senior players selected as forwards to be re-trained or told what to do, it is Oisin we are talking about here.

If you knew any thing about sports you would recognise a change of voice as being a good thing.

I did'nt realise he is taking singing lessons.

Sure I know 'things about sport', afterall we are all experts on here!

You were lucky.
You got us when we were in transition. 
You got us at a time when all are great hurlers were coming to and end of thier great careers.
Theres a GAA conspiracy against us.
Its beacuse of RTE
It was Anthony Tohills fault
Kerry play puke hurling

shit, does this mean our hurlers won't be competing in the later stages of the the Christy ring cup for the next 20 years ?

It probably does, but nice one our hurlers will only have to win one game to make it to the latter stages for the next 20 years. I mean beating the likes of Armagh in the hurling, its a bit like beating Tipp,Limerick,Waterford, or Clare in the football isn't it? Nothing like a nice easy path.

jaysus, next you'll be telling us that the likes of fermanagh, Wicklow and Longford are a soft touch.

You may add Kerry to that list, remember last summer? You were a soft touch that day yourselves in what was a cakewalk.

Well there you have it lads, Armagh are right back in it. With Oisin back onboard they're looking like favourites now. Although it can be slightly embarrasing for senior players selected as forwards to be re-trained or told what to do, it is Oisin we are talking about here.

  He has been asked in to do some work with the forwards as a coach and to give some fresh ideas.  This is quite common with most teams and you use whatever resources that are available.  I think you'll find that I did say that I thought Down would win but that I am not as pesimisstic as I was before.  Maybe the Down bravado is not as strong as it was.  Maybe they are not as good as they would like to think they are??  Sure with Marty going back to Australia, why the fcuk would he really try?  Lets face it the sooner Down are out the sooner he is on the plane

You Armagh boys sure have a hard on for our Marty. I never even mentioned the fella yet you could'nt wait to talk about him. If he goes back to Oz then fair enough he'll be a loss. Whilst we are on the subject of former AFL recriuts maybe clarke could bring Dyas back with him he might even get a game for the reserves this time or carry Martys bags for him.

Too easy

You took the bait a long time ago BC ie: after my very first post. Apparently you make a habit of this 

Well there you have it lads, Armagh are right back in it. With Oisin back onboard they're looking like favourites now. Although it can be slightly embarrasing for senior players selected as forwards to be re-trained or told what to do, it is Oisin we are talking about here.

  He has been asked in to do some work with the forwards as a coach and to give some fresh ideas.  This is quite common with most teams and you use whatever resources that are available.  I think you'll find that I did say that I thought Down would win but that I am not as pesimisstic as I was before.  Maybe the Down bravado is not as strong as it was.  Maybe they are not as good as they would like to think they are??  Sure with Marty going back to Australia, why the fcuk would he really try?  Lets face it the sooner Down are out the sooner he is on the plane

You Armagh boys sure have a hard on for our Marty. I never even mentioned the fella yet you could'nt wait to talk about him. If he goes back to Oz then fair enough he'll be a loss. Whilst we are on the subject of former AFL recriuts maybe clarke could bring Dyas back with him he might even get a game for the reserves this time or carry Martys bags for him.

Well there you have it lads, Armagh are right back in it. With Oisin back onboard they're looking like favourites now. Although it can be slightly embarrasing for senior players selected as forwards to be re-trained or told what to do, it is Oisin we are talking about here.

Lads the Sunday game pundits in my view are alright.

Spillane is a dinasaur, O'Rourke is a moran and Brolly a WUM. This mix makes for good viewing from time to time, afterall I dont particularly want to agree all the time with everything these guys say that would be too boring. Its the awful match commentators that need spruced up. I can hardly bear to listen to Carney,McStay & Co. At least the pundits have something controversal to say now and again. McStays commentary is brutal - " that was a quare blockbuster of a shot" .

Mind you Sidebottom on the BBC is just as bad. He sounds a bit like an announcer at a tractor rally on speed!