Down Hurling Manager

[Lecale2]

Seems it's official now.

McKernan set for Down job


Jim McKernan
05 November 2007


Down GAA's Management Committee have announced that Jim McKernan has been appointed as the county's new senior hurling manager, subject to ratification by the Down County Committee.

The Patrick Sarsfields clubman was backed to succeed Gearld Coulter, who stepped down earlier this year, at a meeting of the Management Committee last week.

McKernan is a former manager of the Antrim seniors, minors, Under-21 and intermediate hurlers. He guided Antrim to Ulster and Christy Ring Cup successes in 2006.

The Mourne County Committee meeting, where club delegates come together, will be held this Thursday Night, November 8th.

[Jack_Black]

to all Down Hurling fans  -

sorry to hear the sad news        

[theskull1]

to all Down Hurling fans  -

sorry to hear the sad news        

I bet you Jingo will surprise a few people.

[Jack_Black]

to all Down Hurling fans  -

sorry to hear the sad news        

I bet you Jingo will surprise a few people.

well, it will be a massive surprise.

[Balboa]

to all Down Hurling fans  -

sorry to hear the sad news        

I bet you Jingo will surprise a few people.

well, it will be a massive surprise.

In what way Jack?

[johnneycool]

to all Down Hurling fans  -

sorry to hear the sad news        

I bet you Jingo will surprise a few people.

If he can get the team organised it'll be a massive improvement from where we're at the minute.

I see he was in Ballycran on Sunday to see the league game between ourselves and Ballycran. He might of been encouraged by the fighting spirit 

[theskull1]

I see he was in Ballycran on Sunday to see the league game between ourselves and Ballycran. He might of been encouraged by the fighting spirit 

If the BBC didn't report it....it mustn't have happened johnny

[Pull Hard Hes No Relation]

I agree with Johnny, a bit of organisiation is required and hopefully Jingo can bring that along with some determination and commitment on and off the field. Best of luck to him and I hope he gets Down at least performing to their level this year and making a seru=ious effort for the Christy Ring.

Heard a rumour that he is already getting lumbered with some of the "back up" men from previous set-ups! 

[johnneycool]

I agree with Johnny, a bit of organisiation is required and hopefully Jingo can bring that along with some determination and commitment on and off the field. Best of luck to him and I hope he gets Down at least performing to their level this year and making a seru=ious effort for the Christy Ring.

Heard a rumour that he is already getting lumbered with some of the "back up" men from previous set-ups! 

Don't tell me Vincent and the beard are back in?

[Pull Hard Hes No Relation]

Yes indeed if the rumours are true and I got that from a pretty good source. Unbelievable! 

[MadMick007]

All rumours are correct. this appointment was such a fudge by Kevin Bell its untrue. From day one this was always going to be the appointment. The short list was quoted as being Kevin McNaughton, Seamus Elliott and Jingo for a meeting last Tuesday night. Seamus Elliott never put his name forward yet Kevin Bell used it as part of the shortlist!!!! Once again the underhanded way things are done is beyond belief. By trying to bring on the Ards club to the selection panel was only a bluff, it was always Jingo, the Sarsfields connection was always a winner. All appointments are made by one man and they all have to be his lackies and yes all the old faces are back. Congratulations County Chairman, you have eventually got all your men in place. We can have anyone who will rock the boat!!
Good luck Jingo but you need YOUR men around you.

[Lecale2]

Who are these old faces?

[johnneycool]

The beard is Willie Mageean, Kevins messenger and general dogs body, doesn't know one end of a hurl from the other. Vincent is a former Ports hurler from the 60's 70's era and from my experience's had nothing to offer other than a stick man and he wasn't too good at that either.

Is Joe McStay back as physical trainer?

Pull Hard, What names have you heard?

Jingo has called a meeting on Sunday in Kilclief with club chairmen/women, secretaries and senior team managers to be present. He'd do better to spend most of this meeting listening rather than talking just to find out the lie of the land.

Pull Hard will be there to report back.

[No1]

  Can't see Joe as the physical trainer.  He trained our footballers last year and had committed himself to a further two years at the end of the season. 

  Although Jingo would know him well from Joe's time at Sarsfields so maybe there is some truth to it.

  Would he not use the same backroom team he had at Antrim?

[Pull Hard Hes No Relation]

Johnny heard exactly the same names as you -it is getting ridiculous regarding some of these punters. There were more "backroom" staff in London two years ago than players FFS!

Having these kind of guys involved again will do nothing to convince the Ards clubs that its a new regeime and things will change which to be honest we need. Whether we like it or not, big Kieran, Eoin and Finty are exceptions to this but the reality is that we need the Ards clubs to be fully bought into the county project or it is bound to fail again. You look at Div 1 of the hurling league and the three mentioned players along possibly with Johnny Mc Cusker (when he is in the mood) are the only non Ards players who are excelling in that league and look like they could handle a step up to senior club grade never mind county. This proves that for the forseeable future we are not going to be able to "backfill" the county team with non-Ards players and still compete if the current apathy to the county team continues with some of the Ards senior hurlers.

As I said before I really hope Jongo does a good job but he is being hamstrung before he even begins with some of the baggage being lumbered onto him. I am assuming the meeting in Kilclief is with the Ards clubs, if so why in Kilclief???

Heard a rumour that the Gaelic Life should be interesting this week!