Messages

Here is the pattern of almost every Down game this year. Start well, build up a big lead. From minutes 35 to 55 Odrahn Murdoch goes missing, we give up possession constantly, the opposition score enough to close that gap. Odrhan comes back into the game in the last ten minutes. We start winning midfield ball. We create the chances to rescue the game. BUT... instead of slipping over points from simple positions,  we insist on over playing,  trying to get a goal instead of the day point.  We drag the tension out until finally accepting the need to score a point and win in the final seconds.

Yesterday they didn't do the last bit. Even though all they needed was a point to level the game, they simply refused. They kept trying to get The shot on goal When we actually needed a point. The calm head never took the easy sensible option.

We're not as good as last weekend, we're (hopefully) not as bad as today would suggest. Priority now has to be staying in Division 2 next year. Hard to see us getting up for the Tailteann now.

The reason to get up for the Tailteann is very simple. We need that cup in our pockets because relegation is a realistic prospect. We absolutely need the guarantee from the Tailteann.

This is getting crazy. So many pundits backing Down to win. All these pundits wrote us off last week. Our team was so bad they would get wiped out by Donegal. But suddenly they all think we're so good that we'll beat the 2024 All-Ireland champions. IT'S THE SAME TEAM, the same players that they thought were poor quality just 6 days ago.

Armagh deserve to be strong favourites going into this game. We played above ourselves last week and to beat Armagh we will have to play above ourselves again this week.

Of course we can do it because we did it last week. The ability is there. But I definitely don't make us favourites for the game.

Well that Ticketmastershit is some shit show. Couldn't get clicking the tickets quick enough before they disappeared.

And coming online at 2pm? That helps only the unemployed and tech savvy retired folk.

But did you get sorted? I had to buy tickets for the terrace.

Last hopeful shout out. If anyone knows where I could get a Terrace ticket could they let me know. I'm leaving at 12pm so we need to know whether to take the wee boy with us or not

Thanks

Best of luck to all the team today. In all years following Down I have never seen us written off for a championship game as much as this one...

Possibly the same game last year

If anyone hears of tickets available for the Donegal game could you please message me.  I know it's a long shot, but in my experience people often hold tickets till the last minute then release them just before the day. 

I'm hoping to take my nephew.

Thanks

Did you get sorted out Paul D?

I did thanks. Turned out the county board had plenty spare. Although I might need another Juvenile one for the Aura terrace because I think my nephew's wee friend wants to come too. Not sure if the county board office is open tomorrow

If anyone hears of tickets available for the Donegal game could you please message me.  I know it's a long shot, but in my experience people often hold tickets till the last minute then release them just before the day. 

I'm hoping to take my nephew.

Thanks

Bad result in Leinster. Need Kildare to pull off a surprise

...
I would hope/expect to see 15 changes for next weeks game against Laois...

I wouldn't want to see that many changes. Certainly I agree that it's a great opportunity to give some fringe players game time. A great opportunity to give Barry O'Hagan a decent run of minutes. But I'm also a great believer in momentum. I really wouldn't want to see a disruption to our momentum. I think when you're on a run you need to keep the run going.

This division 3 final will be vitally important. If we don't win The final I think we will probably end in the Tailteann cup.

So basically, the two promoted teams from Division 3 qualify for the All-Ireland unless:

Kildare get relegated; then The Division 3 runners up miss out.

A Team that is not in the top 16 reaches a provincial final; then The Division 3 runners up miss out.

Both of these things happen; then both The Division 3 runners up and The Division 3 winners miss out.

The danger would be two of the following happening, and then even winning Division 3 wouldn't be enough:

Kildare relegated

Westmeath or Laois get to Leinster final

Sligo fluke a victory over Galway

Limerick fluke a victory over Cork

Cavan beat Monaghan then Derry

Or Tyrone relegated then get to Ulster final.

There are a couple of other ones, but they aren't realistic (like Clare beating Kerry or Antrim getting Ulster final).

I find it hard to believe that at least one of these things won't happen. Which would mean losing the Division 3 final would be a Sam Maguire Kiabosh for us.

McKenna Cup final 2008

Yes, I stand corrected

Since 1983 we have lost 6 National League deciders in a row

One Division 1
Two division 2
Three Division 3

In fact since 1994 we have only one one final of any description which was the Tailteann cup two years ago

Looking forward to tomorrow night and hopefully sealing promotion with 2 games to go.
Fermanagh caused us a lot of problems in the championship so it wont be easy.
Hopefully get to give some fringe players a chance in last 2 games and buuld for the league final and the Donegal game.
Div 

We won the game but I don't see how this secures promotion. There is still two games to go:

The head to head only applies if it's two teams on there same points. So, if:

Down lose to Sligo and Laois. We'd have 10 points

Westmeath beat Limerick, and Wexford, they'd have 10 points

If Sligo beat Wexford, Down, and Clare, they'd have 10 points.

So it would be a 3-way tie at the top with all teams on 10 points and so scoring difference would decide it. So promotion is not mathematically assured yet surely.

Am I wrong?

The worst part would be it near looks like there's councillor involvement.

To be fair, and this is a rare instance I might defend someone from the DUP, the councillor came out and condemned the letter and said it was nothing to do with him and he does not agree with what was written.