Down Club Hurling & Football

ardtole · January 05, 2025, 08:13:10 AM

It's a pity the McKenna cup was scrapped this year. I definitely would have went for a look to see how the new rules are being managed.

I'm looking forward to the Roscommon game, though I think Roscommon could be one of the teams to benefit from the new rules. I think they have the forwards to capitalise on the changes.

Having said that, I think the tap and go rule will benefit Down, Liam Kerr in particular would have benefited from this, but unfortunately won be available.

In the inter provincial games Odhran Murdock got a hat trick from ff, I wonder will Laverty have him at ff or midfield. It's difficult to predict who the 3 players we will likely choose to stay forward and just as tricky to pick the 3 who might stay back.

Ed Hardy · January 05, 2025, 08:57:20 AM

Will be interesting to see the 3 left up front alright, will be an opportunity for few forwards anyhow with Kerr and McGovern not there, that's 2 of starting 6 forwards gone from Tailteann cup final, altho wee Doc was injured for that so he'll automatically come into the team somewhere. I would imagine Laverty and Fegan will definitely be two of the defenders told to sit, and probably Paddy McCarthy, but time will tell.

snoopdog · January 05, 2025, 12:58:02 PM

Why has McGovern gone? He was given plenty of oppurtunity last year to get up to speed. Pity if he jas walked away.
Would Mooney be an option as one of the 3 left up?
I think Doherty is too important to leave up there. The lad covers some amount of ground.
Looking fwd to going to the Hyde. Roscommon a decent team and would expect them to win but we need to get to the level of div2 quickly as we only have 1 home game remaining after game 3.

Ed Hardy · January 05, 2025, 01:59:23 PM

Quote from: snoopdog on January 05, 2025, 12:58:02 PMWhy has McGovern gone? He was given plenty of oppurtunity last year to get up to speed. Pity if he jas walked away.
Would Mooney be an option as one of the 3 left up?
I think Doherty is too important to leave up there. The lad covers some amount of ground.
Looking fwd to going to the Hyde. Roscommon a decent team and would expect them to win but we need to get to the level of div2 quickly as we only have 1 home game remaining after game 3.

I presume he wont be playing, because of the soccer. Pity because he's very talented

ardtole · January 05, 2025, 03:38:20 PM

Are there any challenge games arranged for this weekend or next week?

ardtole · January 05, 2025, 08:24:41 PM

Thanks Jc

snoopdog · January 06, 2025, 09:09:45 AM

Quote from: johnnycool on January 05, 2025, 07:36:57 PM
Quote from: ardtole on January 05, 2025, 03:38:20 PMAre there any challenge games arranged for this weekend or next week?

I think they're playing Laois next Saturday in Laois.

I heard Down are playing Kildare next weekend. Prob 2 games.

Lowballinhigh · January 10, 2025, 12:13:56 AM

Any word on u20 football panel this year, who to look out for?

downtothecore · January 10, 2025, 06:46:22 PM

I dont think they are strong this year asthey are a very young team as the majority of last years team have moved on...

downtothecore · January 10, 2025, 06:47:23 PM

Hopefully our seniors progress this year?

Splash · January 12, 2025, 01:59:36 PM

Best of luck to Liatroim man Peter Owens refereeing the All Ireland Final today between St Lachtain's and Russell Rovers.

Great to see a Down man getting the nod.

Splash · January 12, 2025, 02:00:42 PM

Quote from: johnnycool on January 05, 2025, 07:36:57 PM
Quote from: ardtole on January 05, 2025, 03:38:20 PMAre there any challenge games arranged for this weekend or next week?

I think they're playing Laois next Saturday in Laois.

Any word how the hurlers got on?

Lowintotheforwards · January 15, 2025, 07:24:13 PM

I see that new proposals are being made for the Down SHC/ IHC. This would see the team that wins the IHC group stage going straight into the following year's SHC regardless of how they do in the IHC knock out stages. Seems unfair that a side that beats the 8th, 9th and 10th clubs (in a county with just 14 hurling teams)gets straight to the SHC even though they lose the IHC final and haven't beaten any of the SHC teams. If these changes are made (and I'm not sure what was wrong with the current system which was just bedding in!), there should at least be a playoff between the losing IHC finalists and the bottom team in the SHC group stage. That would ensure that the best teams qualify for the following year's SHC.

Ed Hardy · January 15, 2025, 08:36:57 PM

Any word on the Down football panel for national league? Roscommon away on Sunday week is very difficult start, a draw would be a good result.

Lowintotheforwards · January 15, 2025, 11:52:37 PM

Quote from: johnnycool on January 15, 2025, 08:28:59 PM
Quote from: Lowintotheforwards on January 15, 2025, 07:24:13 PMI see that new proposals are being made for the Down SHC/ IHC. This would see the team that wins the IHC group stage going straight into the following year's SHC regardless of how they do in the IHC knock out stages. Seems unfair that a side that beats the 8th, 9th and 10th clubs (in a county with just 14 hurling teams)gets straight to the SHC even though they lose the IHC final and haven't beaten any of the SHC teams. If these changes are made (and I'm not sure what was wrong with the current system which was just bedding in!), there should at least be a playoff between the losing IHC finalists and the bottom team in the SHC group stage. That would ensure that the best teams qualify for the following year's SHC.

Several options to be discussed.

I'd stick with the current format for another year or two to see if there are any trends like yoyo clubs but if you look at last year Carryduff were no push overs and will learn from it.

Agree 100 % - the proposal which automatically promotes the IHC group winners will inevitably lead to a yo-yo situation.