Down Club Hurling & Football

[Sandstorm]

Any comments on Down V Louth? I think if down can replicate the Clare performance they can win.

[imtommygunn]

I think Down will beat Louth. Not by much but I think you'll win.

[Sheedy]

Was at the league game in Drogheda and there wasn't much between the teams that day, I'd expect another close one this weekend. Louth ending up winning that game by a point but Down definitely would've felt they deserved something.

Hopefully the home venue will swing things in Down's favour this time round. Expecting a big crowd for this one.
Bookies have Down favourites at 8/13, Louth 13/8, Draw 8/1

[Aristo 60]

Agreed with all that. Barring a bad mistake, I think we'll pip Louth by a wee margin.

[ck]

Down should have too much for Louth. In saying that I have been disappointed with Down under Laverty, they just havent made the progress I expected and are not really any further on from 2 years ago. I hope the next 2 weeks will prove me wrong though.

[ONARAGGATIP]

Down should have too much for Louth. In saying that I have been disappointed with Down under Laverty, they just havent made the progress I expected and are not really any further on from 2 years ago. I hope the next 2 weeks will prove me wrong though.

Down have beaten Donegal. Won the t cup. Beat monaghan in clones. Lost narrowly in drogheda and cavan. Not many teams get relegation on six points. May I ask have u attended many games this year? The progression is obvious. Seriously young squad. Hope you are going on Saturday.

[ardtole]

I was at 5 of the 7 league games and I think Laverty is getting the best out of the players available.

We were unlucky in several games particularly Cavan, Louth and Meath. Louth had a few of their better players missing against us, but with home advantage I think we have enough to win.

One thing I notice about Down is our performances can be influenced significantly by the weather. On a dry, warm day like v Clare, it really suits our fast moving, quick attacking team. When we come up against more physical teams in poor weather conditions we can struggle.

[snoopdog]

I'd agree, Laverty is getting the best he can get out of this group of players.  They never give up but we all know we lack the real quality players required to be a challenger for Sam.
Hopefully we can win tomorrow and at least guarantee a home preliminary quarter final against a 3rd place team.
Then we can go into the Monaghan game with a free shot.

[ck]

Down should have too much for Louth. In saying that I have been disappointed with Down under Laverty, they just havent made the progress I expected and are not really any further on from 2 years ago. I hope the next 2 weeks will prove me wrong though.

Down have beaten Donegal. Won the t cup. Beat monaghan in clones. Lost narrowly in drogheda and cavan. Not many teams get relegation on six points. May I ask have u attended many games this year? The progression is obvious. Seriously young squad. Hope you are going on Saturday.

Happy to be corrected and admittedly I've only seen Down once this year, twice tomorrow I hope.
Beating a mess of a Donegal team under Paddy Carr and Aidan O'Rourke is hardly a reference point, nor is winning the TCup. These would be regarded as fully expected. Relegation was not expected, but it happened and does not point to progress.

[Minus15]

You've been to one game this year. So hardly best qualified to give your opinion.

Laverty's tenure hasn't been perfect but there has been continual improvement. Relegation was a setback, no doubt. Progress can't be measured by results alone.

As long as things continue to move in the right direction, I would be sticking with this management team.

[ardtole]

I know it's what ifs, but if Daryl Brannigan had to have made himself available, meaning Daniel Guinness could be pushed up to the half forward line, alongside Liam Kerr (I know), and possibly Danny Magill. And a fully fit Barry O'Hagan alongside Havern in the ff line it would certainly leave Down a lot stronger.

But I'm sure every county could say the same, I'm looking forward to the game on Saturday, hopefully 2 points and have a right crack of Monaghan who we produced our best display against so far this year.

[Nanderson]

I know it's what ifs, but if Daryl Brannigan had to have made himself available, meaning Daniel Guinness could be pushed up to the half forward line, alongside Liam Kerr (I know), and possibly Danny Magill. And a fully fit Barry O'Hagan alongside Havern in the ff line it would certainly leave Down a lot stronger.

But I'm sure every county could say the same, I'm looking forward to the game on Saturday, hopefully 2 points and have a right crack of Monaghan who we produced our best display against so far this year.

Just on Barry, is he back playing for Clonduff at all or did that horrific injury forceably retire him?

[downtothecore]

Down should have too much for Louth. In saying that I have been disappointed with Down under Laverty, they just havent made the progress I expected and are not really any further on from 2 years ago. I hope the next 2 weeks will prove me wrong though.

Down have beaten Donegal. Won the t cup. Beat monaghan in clones. Lost narrowly in drogheda and cavan. Not many teams get relegation on six points. May I ask have u attended many games this year? The progression is obvious. Seriously young squad. Hope you are going on Saturday.

Happy to be corrected and admittedly I've only seen Down once this year, twice tomorrow I hope.
Beating a mess of a Donegal team under Paddy Carr and Aidan O'Rourke is hardly a reference point, nor is winning the TCup. These would be regarded as fully expected. Relegation was not expected, but it happened and does not point to progress.

Our underage has not been competitive for years except for a few u20 teams that lavery took on.
We can't expect to progress quickly to the top table with such an uncompetitive underage structure. I don't see any better management options and in fact this one is doing well with the hand they have been dealt...

I expect Down to be up for louth tomorrow and I expect Louth to have real good go also given their defeat last week. I think we can do it..

[Hard2Listen2]

Down should have too much for Louth. In saying that I have been disappointed with Down under Laverty, they just havent made the progress I expected and are not really any further on from 2 years ago. I hope the next 2 weeks will prove me wrong though.

Down have beaten Donegal. Won the t cup. Beat monaghan in clones. Lost narrowly in drogheda and cavan. Not many teams get relegation on six points. May I ask have u attended many games this year? The progression is obvious. Seriously young squad. Hope you are going on Saturday.

Happy to be corrected and admittedly I've only seen Down once this year, twice tomorrow I hope.
Beating a mess of a Donegal team under Paddy Carr and Aidan O'Rourke is hardly a reference point, nor is winning the TCup. These would be regarded as fully expected. Relegation was not expected, but it happened and does not point to progress.

Our underage has not been competitive for years except for a few u20 teams that lavery took on.
We can't expect to progress quickly to the top table with such an uncompetitive underage structure. I don't see any better management options and in fact this one is doing well with the hand they have been dealt...

I expect Down to be up for louth tomorrow and I expect Louth to have real good go also given their defeat last week. I think we can do it..
[/quote


Been as competitive as Armagh in juvenile ranks for past 20 years but that doesn't hold them back at senior level.

[AnDúnAbú94]

Talk on Laverty being disappointing is crazy. Down have got better every year under him. Relegation is a blow but a bit more luck and we'd have been in the promotion hunt.

Really looking forward to the game tomorrow. Feeling confident enough in our chances but it'll be a close game either way.