Down Club Hurling & Football

[Ardstick]

You're right about Swatragh 

Ulster Championship probably needs some modifying and clarification of who is of junior standard. Swatragh and St Eunan's are not the same standard as Kilclief, Omagh, or Killeavy.

But c'est la vie.

Kilclief seem to punch above their weight to be honest. Fair play to yous.

Wouldn't blame any man for doing what he wants to do. More to life than hurling and football at the end of the day.

I'd imagine success around a club would keep young fellas interested. Far less likely to stick around if lads feel they're just going to get beat.

Good to hear there's good work going on in Kiclief.

Credit to clubs like Kilclief and Aghaderg/Ballyvarley. Small, rural clubs, with small catchment areas and relatively low numbers, but continue to field in both codes.

Would have to agree Splash, Derry Hurling are in a weird spot in that they dont have enough clubs to spread over the 3 different levels of championship. Na Magha are probably the only real Junior side in Derry, its always a level enough game when they are representing them in Ulster. Swatragh would probably give the Down Intermediate a brave rattle.
Maybe Derry should just represent in Intermediate and Senior level.

[Splash]

Derry hurling is in an unusual spot but that format seems to work for them. We have too many teams in Down to implement that sort of championship, although there is an argument that we have too few teams for our current format to be properly effective.

Derry system if far from perfect, and have heard a couple of people in the county unhappy with it it, but I would imagine it will benefit Derry in the long run.

Our junior teams would be more competitive with Na Magha, but last year Na Magha dealt with Warrenpoint handily enough in the first round of Ulster, too.

Derry teams simply appear to be better than our teams. For talks sake, say the worst team in Derry is Na Magha, I'd imagine they'd still win our junior championship without too much bother.

Ballinascreen and Swatragh would be challenging for our intermediate.

Slaughtneil would win our senior.

It's a wonder the Derry county side aren't in Division 2A. Good hurlers, probably just not enough of them.

We probably need to take steps to improve the overall quality of hurling being played in Down.

What are the new proposals? Surely not to adopt something similar to Derry's format?

True junior teams deserve a chance to win silverware at their level.

[DuffGael]

At the moment we have 4 senior teams, the ARDS and liatroim plus 3 intermediate. Clonduff, The Point and Balela are not at the level of Carryduff, Bredagh and Shamrocks, they should be in the junior.
They reason Derry are not a better county team is 6+ of their best hurlers are on the Derry football squad. Having 3 senior teams who don't play football really helps our county team in that respect but we do punch above our weight.

[Splash]

If Bredagh get the players back next year they were missing this season, they will get back to being competitive at senior level. But as it stands they are a good bit off the Ards and Liatroim.

Clonduff and CPN are not at the level of Bredagh or Carryduff, but each would have walked this years JHC. Ballela are a junior level team, and Clonduff (without their top players) beat them by 20+ points in the IHC. They probably shouldn't be in the JHC. Better to have Carryduff and Bredagh in the SHC. Shamrocks aren't as strong as they were over the past few years. Clonduff and the Point probably aren't that far off of them, now.

Interesting to note that each of those teams rely heavily on 1-2 key players, and  there is a noticeable gap in standard when  these key players line out and when they don't.

I would agree that having some of their top hurlers being tied up in the football does have an effect on Derry's hurling fortunes.

The Ards focusing  entirely on hurling has essentially carried our county scene for many years (although players from less traditional clubs are starting to break in).
The fact that the Ards sides continue to play at a high standard has been a massive benefit to us, too. There are hurling only clubs in the likes of Armagh and Tyrone, but these clubs are not at the same standard of the Ards clubs.

We definitely punch above our weight on the county scene- particularly in the 90s when we played in Division One, and beat the likes of Kilkenny, whilst drawing from what was essentially 3, small, rural clubs.

[DownFanatic]

Who has the biggest pick of the three Ards clubs?

[Splash]

Was told it was Portaferry, then Ballycran and then Ballygalget.

Think I'm right in saying Portaferry have a couple lads who would come over on the boat to play for them, too, which obviously would make their pick bigger again.

[Truth hurts]

Would there be any love for football In Ards?

[thewobbler]

Things Down needs:

A centre of development.
An Ulster minor title.
A competitive SFC.
Two giant midfielders to appear from somewhere.

Things Down doesn't need and will never need but for some reason now have:

A blue away kit.

[Mourne Red]

Things Down needs:

A centre of development.
An Ulster minor title.
A competitive SFC.
Two giant midfielders to appear from somewhere.

Things Down doesn't need and will never need but for some reason now have:

A blue away kit.

Was wondering were this was going but I agree not a fan of that jersey. Bring back the yellow alternative

[Truth hurts]

Home: Red
Away: Black
Alternative: Yellow

[Splash]

Would there be any love for football In Ards?

Think it was said here that Ballycran used to be competitive in Division 3 and the IFC. Know there's a few lads who come across the water to play football.

Personally think that the Ards teams look very fit, strong etc.- and I would imagine that could be enough competitive in Div 4/JFC level.

In my opinion, every club should be a dual club, and every child should have a chance to play both.

[No1]

Would there be any love for football In Ards?

Think it was said here that Ballycran used to be competitive in Division 3 and the IFC. Know there's a few lads who come across the water to play football.

Personally think that the Ards teams look very fit, strong etc.- and I would imagine that could be enough competitive in Div 4/JFC level.

In my opinion, every club should be a dual club, and every child should have a chance to play both.

We had a couple of Ards men lining out in the football for us this regularly this season.  The boys who traditionally came over were either over just to keep a bit of fitness up or had fallen out with someone in their home club!  Any of the serious hurlers wouldn't even think about it.

JC's clubmate and Down hurling captain played one game for us in Div 4 this season was the outstanding player on the pitch.  Based on the 40 minutes he was on the pitch I reckon he could play Div 1 club football easily.  Might get a few red cards tho!

The Galgets have had a couple in the last few years with the O'Reilly's and Prenter I think?  JC can correct me if I'm wrong.

[Splash]

Portaferry would have had a few Kilclief lads play juvenile for them, much like ourselves with Holywood and Newtownards lads, but not so much at adult level.

[/quote]

Would there be many players come down from Newtownards/Bangor/Holywood direction? 

Majority of hurling men I've met from North Down head to Belfast to play their hurling.

[No1]

Did wee John play a bit of football for you? didn't know that. I presume that's who it is, not big plebs McGrath... 

Prenter as much as he lives over here is officially a RGU player sanctioned to play hurling for us. I don't think he played any football this year, certainly not championship.
We'd two lads playing for Saul as well, don't think they did last year though.

Jordy Doran, some boy!  Haven't seen McGrath in a long time.

[snoopdog]

Anyone see the new alternative Down Jersey? It's Blue and black?? For some reason. I know they had a training Dubin kit last year but this looks like it's an away kit.