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Having attended a number of the islands games this year the long term injuries are John Turley and Ryan Carville wing half back and corner back. Cormac O'Toole has been in Austrailia all seson and has just returned. This loss can pose problems for the defence in such a small club however it is no excuse whatsoever for there lowly position this year. Their replacements have not worked out.

In the forward line Ben o'reilly has played only one game maybe two as a substitute. He infact has played little or no football this year as he had same injury problem (hamstring) with county under 21s. G Johnston seems to be concentrating on hurling for this season.

It seems that some in Loughinisland have the misperception that they actually achieved something last year when they collected their losers medal on championship sunday in October 2008.

Going forward Loughinisland must regroup and consolidate their defance which has been usually suspect for a club based on their defensive qualities. For the league this season the tables dont lie but with the championship only around the corner the blues must look to players who should now be leading and not being lead, such quality pleayers sucha as Matt Doran, J Mccarthy, R Stranney, Willie Russell, Conor Killen, Conor & Cormac Otoole all of whom are under performing and who should be at their footballing peak.

There is an old saying that if you consistently keep failing with plan A then it is time for plan B.
That is why it is time to forget about Sexton and Murtagh in particular and move on.

Not only is a shake up needed in personnel but also in formation.

We have one of the most gifyed forwards in the game, we are using him badly and we need to change that.
We do not have wonderful defenders so we need a more defensive set up behind the fowards.
We stutter and fail with this awful short passing but have the speed and natural football to make good use of the diagonal long ball to open up defences.

The team to achieve this  is:

Goals: McVeigh

Full back line: Howard, Sloan, Cole. (I have been suggesting Sloan for this position for over a year).

Half-backs: Murphy, Doyle (or Garvey if Doyle still missing), Duffin.

Utilise a 4-man Mid-field: Gordon, Carr, Rodgers (Ireland or Fitzpatrick if Ambrose still out) & Davey.  (Select Carr & Davey at half forward but play 4 across middle. Seen enough of Davey to rate hinm as a smart player and Carr has not enough tackle in him to play further back but both these can deliver quality ball from deep)

Half-forward line: McComiskey, Clarke, Hughes.

Benny on his own up front. With loads of room, a nightmare for any full-back.
McComiskey & Hughes have speed to come from deep and play off Benny

If the opposition play two on him then push McComiskey & Hughes to the flanks to run at defence, with support through middle from Clarke, and two of the middle men pushing forward.

Horses for courses.

Back in the eighties we habd the same arguments about great wee players like Shorty & Bundy Mason but they cut no mustard at county level and only when they were replaced did we win two All-Irelands.




LEO,   Bundy Mason - Cut no mustard

Brendan Mason was one of the best Gaelic footballers ever to put on the famous red and black shirt, a former all star nominee and participant in an ~All star tour in the eighties, the former top scorer in ulster and Ireland was untouchable at club and county level, an Ohare cup winner (and Div1 down league 89), national league winner and collector of many more accolades. Mason would undoubtably be a great asset to the current county team. Masons bravery, speed and commitment was undoubtably the reason for his successful career as a gaelic footballer !

Loc An Oileann agus An Dun Abu 

Have to agree, Bridge will coast it!  Burren blew it. Bridge must now start preparing for how they will perform better in Ulster. Bridge need to sett their stall out for the Ulster Championship  and how they can adapt there game to cope with the step up in level from the Down Championship.

Should be somewhat different final but the bridge have all the ace cards.

MAyobridge v Saval : The Bridge
Burren v Loughinisland : Burren

Bridge must be hot favourites for this one and the title, where without a doubt they will take the scalp of Burren in the final. Loughinisland will not put up a fight as expected as they usually fade away at this time of year, there is really nothing to say anything is different this year. Eoin McCartan is back to his best and I am currently trying to get a price on him scoring at least two goals aganst the island. Eoin has scored something like 4 goals in his last three outings and will take some stopping.

Bridge for the Tiltle but Eoin Mccarten for player of the championship!

An Dun Abu!