Down Club Hurling & Football

[Johnnysboys]

Honestly these 1st round matches I feel are dead rubber. Nothing changes for all involved both sides still in the championship and only when it becomes knockout does it really matter. Clonduff tonight wont be too worried I'd say they know they might get Kilcoo once but not twice and tonight wasn't the night to be beat them.

Clonduff won't be too worried - I'd completely disagree with that statement. Sitting among both sets of supporters tonight and Clonduff supporters were disgusted at the performance. It's not like their team is going to change massively from tonight - they are miles behind Kilcoo, Burren and Cpn. Basic skills - miles off - fitness - miles off.  What is Dinky doing???

[TakeTheMark]

Honestly these 1st round matches I feel are dead rubber. Nothing changes for all involved both sides still in the championship and only when it becomes knockout does it really matter. Clonduff tonight wont be too worried I'd say they know they might get Kilcoo once but not twice and tonight wasn't the night to be beat them.

Clonduff won't be too worried - I'd completely disagree with that statement. Sitting among both sets of supporters tonight and Clonduff supporters were disgusted at the performance. It's not like their team is going to change massively from tonight - they are miles behind Kilcoo, Burren and Cpn. Basic skills - miles off - fitness - miles off.  What is Dinky doing???

I'd tend to agree with this. While they were probably thinking a win would be a lot to ask, I'd say it was the performance more than the result that has the Clonduff faithful upset.

If you have serious championship ambitions, falling into a backdoor now where you can play the losers of Burren and the Bridge, or even the losers of Carryduff and Bryansford, you could be in trouble as none of those teams would be an easy match.

[downtothecore]

Kilcoo expecting a tough game tonight but clonduff offered nothing. Very disappointing game. A Burren and kilcoo final should be good.

[GAA Madness]

Clonduff were absolutely awful 2nite, not one player put in a performance, and they could be sent packing by any team in backdoor if they don't change things.

[Smurfy123]

Clonduff a team of players that talk a good game
The most underwhelming team in Down football
Play decent in the league and crap in championship
I've no doubt they will beat a Castlewellan in the losers match but they will never beat a big team with this group
Barry Criticised Brannigan for questioning the Down players commitment and attitude. Barry swanned off to the states for the summer I bet ya Brannigan didn't.

[GAA Madness]

McBride soon be out the door from Clonduff, doesn't seem to be the man for them, has negative tactics and when trying to break down the big teams they struggle

[terrifictommy]

Can't say it surprised me, not one bit. Kilcoo better in every department, individually and tactically. As hungry as ever too. Enjoyed watching them but Clonduff where really poor, lost possession through too many individual errors, unforced.

[stiff breeze]

So tonight the championship properly starts. Magpies v the yellas. With McConvilles broken jaw in the league meeting a few weeks ago it should add spice.

Other game of any significance is Burren v Bridge, old rivals but they are no longer rivals, Burren are well ahead of them. The dream team club management on paper of Clarke and Poacher has been very underwhelming for the Bridge.

If the big two avoid each other it's the perfect final.

Properly starts you reckon ....

[Johnnysboys]

Can't say it surprised me, not one bit. Kilcoo better in every department, individually and tactically. As hungry as ever too. Enjoyed watching them but Clonduff where really poor, lost possession through too many individual errors, unforced.

Kilcoo were fantastic. Eugene kicking scores and running game back to its best, Ryan McEvoy commanding on edge of the square and young Rodger's in half back were the top three for me throughout. Second chance or not - Clonduff will find it hard to recover from this performance.

[Truth hurts]

Clonduff a team of players that talk a good game
The most underwhelming team in Down football
Play decent in the league and crap in championship
I've no doubt they will beat a Castlewellan in the losers match but they will never beat a big team with this group
Barry Criticised Brannigan for questioning the Down players commitment and attitude. Barry swanned off to the states for the summer I bet ya Brannigan didn't.

Clonduff with their population and numbers in the club have underachieved for years, since there last championship win in 2000 they have watched their two local rivals dominate Down football and yet they still think they are the best team in Down. I cannot remember the last underage championship they have won at A level and I think they should head to B level to start a winning culture in the mens section of the club.

[downtothecore]

Yeah clonduff seem to be in disarray at all levels in the club.

[Johnnysboys]

Clonduff have a huge population and lots of underage players who attend real football schools in St Colmans, Abbey and St Malachys Castlewellan. It beggars belief that they can't win underage titles and bring through players to compete at senior level every year. Maybe they are employing the same underage tactic as ourselves - let the teams field but winning is not the most important element of it all - maintaining players to senior level is.. it has worked for us thus far with nearly 50 players at senior level training for firsts and seconds. Winning a senior league last year was massive for us in order to keep players playing. A nice win this evening too - let's hope that keeps going.

[Truth hurts]

Clonduff have a huge population and lots of underage players who attend real football schools in St Colmans, Abbey and St Malachys Castlewellan. It beggars belief that they can't win underage titles and bring through players to compete at senior level every year. Maybe they are employing the same underage tactic as ourselves - let the teams field but winning is not the most important element of it all - maintaining players to senior level is.. it has worked for us thus far with nearly 50 players at senior level training for firsts and seconds. Winning a senior league last year was massive for us in order to keep players playing. A nice win this evening too - let's hope that keeps going.

Real football schools? The Abbey hasn't won a major since 2006 and St Malachys? The Shimna are pushing GAA more.

So the Points tactic is just field at underage and plays C football but as long as the children play? That sounds like excellent coaching and will be good in the long run LOL

Warrenpoint shouldnt be playing C football BTW

[manwithnoplan]

Clonduff have a huge population and lots of underage players who attend real football schools in St Colmans, Abbey and St Malachys Castlewellan. It beggars belief that they can't win underage titles and bring through players to compete at senior level every year. Maybe they are employing the same underage tactic as ourselves - let the teams field but winning is not the most important element of it all - maintaining players to senior level is.. it has worked for us thus far with nearly 50 players at senior level training for firsts and seconds. Winning a senior league last year was massive for us in order to keep players playing. A nice win this evening too - let's hope that keeps going.

Real football schools? The Abbey hasn't won a major since 2006 and St Malachys? The Shimna are pushing GAA more.

So the Points tactic is just field at underage and plays C football but as long as the children play? That sounds like excellent coaching and will be good in the long run LOL

Warrenpoint shouldnt be playing C football BTW

Retaining player's interest in playing football up to adult level is the most difficult aspect of youth coaching, and the fact you are dismissive of it says a great deal about your knowledge of the game. Winning at all costs at underage is not how young players develop in either ability or attitude, participation and a positive environment are far more important.

[Truth hurts]

Clonduff have a huge population and lots of underage players who attend real football schools in St Colmans, Abbey and St Malachys Castlewellan. It beggars belief that they can't win underage titles and bring through players to compete at senior level every year. Maybe they are employing the same underage tactic as ourselves - let the teams field but winning is not the most important element of it all - maintaining players to senior level is.. it has worked for us thus far with nearly 50 players at senior level training for firsts and seconds. Winning a senior league last year was massive for us in order to keep players playing. A nice win this evening too - let's hope that keeps going.

Real football schools? The Abbey hasn't won a major since 2006 and St Malachys? The Shimna are pushing GAA more.

So the Points tactic is just field at underage and plays C football but as long as the children play? That sounds like excellent coaching and will be good in the long run LOL

Warrenpoint shouldnt be playing C football BTW

Retaining player's interest in playing football up to adult level is the most difficult aspect of youth coaching, and the fact you are dismissive of it says a great deal about your knowledge of the game. Winning at all costs at underage is not how young players develop in either ability or attitude, participation and a positive environment are far more important.

I wasn't dismissive of it but if you want to win at the senior level then a strong underage system is needed. A winning mentality at underage gives you an edge at the senior level. It's just a fact of life. Kilcoos recent success was from hard work and from winning underage championships.