Down Club Hurling & Football

[armaghniac]

So whats the chances this weekend? Anyone giving us a punchers chance?

I see the game isn't being televised? On BBc or Rte?
Has this every happened for a Ulster semi final before, why would all games including prelim be on and not the Semi final?

Is it expected to be 1 sided and not worth the viewing?

GAAGO are showing it

Where would you pick up the game in Belfast City Centre?

Nancy Mulligan's, Castle Street will have it.

Thanks!

Is that place not a total dive ?

Where better for Down supporters?

[snoopdog]

So whats the chances this weekend? Anyone giving us a punchers chance?

I see the game isn't being televised? On BBc or Rte?
Has this every happened for a Ulster semi final before, why would all games including prelim be on and not the Semi final?

Is it expected to be 1 sided and not worth the viewing?

GAAGO are showing it

Where would you pick up the game in Belfast City Centre?

Nancy Mulligan's, Castle Street will have it.

Thanks!

Is that place not a total dive ?

Can't be worse than the hill in clones with the buckfast brigade.
I'm out of the country at weekend so I will miss the game. But after last year's experience of clones I'd question whether I'd go anyway.

[downtothecore]

Agree..Last years experience of clones was terrible. Everything from parking, the drunks and flares on the hill and the shite perf ormance is hard to forget. I Cant go this weekend but again I would whether I would go anyway...

[alchemist]

Lot of negativity on the board about Saturday, yes Down are underdogs and rightfully so.

Are they capable of giving Armagh a match, absolutely!

Last year everything that could go wrong did go wrong, lessons will he learned, and if it is tight Armagh will be nervous.

The last two games have been disappointing but Down did play a lot of good football in league before that.

Is Clones ideal, no, but it's an ulster semi final with the double bonus of a final and qualification at stake.

Most people who i have spoken to seem to have an excuse not to go on Saturday, the players have given a massive commitment and deserve a big support so get behind them and keep the fingers crossed.

[snoopdog]

It would be a massive result to beat them on Saturday night. But it's highly unlikely. They've played at a higher level for a few years now. But to look at the task ahead of Laverty you just need to look at the job McGeeney has had to do in Armagh. He was 5 years in thr job before he got a win in Ulster. They've jad no underage success to build from yet he has them now competitive with anyone on the island. Are thry contenders for an All Irealnd? Probably not, but I know we would love to be as competitive as they are in a couple of years time.  I laugh when I hear some Armagh people calling for mcgeeney to go. Be careful what you wish for. 

[Ed Hardy]

Any reports from last nights games? Ballyholland had good win away to Kilcoo...

Best of luck to Down today, here's hoping for a big upset!

[Mourne Red]

Bar that blip at St John's, Saul started the season very well - Few big wins

[Targetman]

John Mc Govern doesn't even make the squad today, i know he played a club game last night, surely he should be included!

[Ed Hardy]

John Mc Govern doesn't even make the squad today, i know he played a club game last night, surely he should be included!

He's maybe playing for Newry today. Shame, he's some potential like.

[Nanderson]

Disappointed with the defeat in the end. Laverty went in with a plan that ultimatley frustrated Armagh thorughout the game but failure to get tight on Rian O'Neill for the middle 20 minutes of the match and easy free's given away for Grugan to tap over plus failure to take our own good chances (Havern missed free and Laverty mark at the end) cost us. I have to say I'm annoyed that the last kick of the game was left to a 20 year old to shoulder the responsability. Would have liked to have seen Kerr step up or maybe Ryan J who had a good game have a go. We really lack a ball winning forward and two elite free takers to get us over the line in these tighter games.

On a finishing note, hope Barry's injury isn't an aggrevation of his previous injury. Certainly looked in discomfort straight away. Wish him all the best in recovery.

[Johnnysboys]

If anyone leaving Clones today thinking that was a tactical masterclass - they need their heads read. 15 men behind the ball, people picking up zonal spaces, continuously giving away free kicks, inability to hit free kicks in scorable positions. Very frustrating to watch some of our best players sitting on the line so we can put in more defensive options. Barry is hopefully not as bad as he appeared.

[downtothecore]

If anyone leaves clones today thinking we haven't progressed in the last 2 years then they need their head read.

[guevara]

If anyone leaves clones today thinking we haven't progressed in the last 2 years then they need their head read.

If that is progress then we are doomed. Two very fortunate goals kept us in it.

An intercounty player who can't kick the ball over the bar from 25 metres out summed it up.

Having the ball on yheir '21 and going back to our goalkeeper when we were behind. We can't kick pass and are petrified of making a mistake.

[sdg]

Beat by 1 or beat by 10, still BEAT

[downtothecore]

Beat by 1 or beat by 10, still BEAT

We were expected to get beat by 10 by most people and we should have won and in the process gave our biggest rivals a reality check..their footballers are no better than ours. Next year we can fully expect to turn them over.