Down Club Hurling & Football

[manwithnoplan]

Daniel Guinness I would include among them 4 lads too. He's having a fantastic season. I'd like to see Eugene Brannigan start tomorrow too, I think he is effective bringing the ball from defence into our attacking half.

Totally agree on Guinness, he's been incredible this season and was immense Sunday. Not sold on Brannigan at all though, and he had a shocking second half. I think he tried to hit a point on the outside of his right boot from the left hand side? Given his interview a couple years back he must have some self belief is all I'll say. Shame that Burns had a poor day on kickouts after being so good all year, maybe a bit rattled after the Monaghan game? He's very young so hopefully he can kick on even more next year because we'll need him.

I hope everyone sticks with the squad because there's been a clear improvement year on year the last 3 years, even if on the surface it might not seem like it having been relegated. Looking back at the few years previous to Laverty's time we were on the end of some major stuffings and this year we've been competitive in every game, there is real progress and I don't see how anyone that goes to games could think otherwise. Hopefully a couple more players and a bit more experience will make a difference.

Next year priority 1 has to be topping Division 3, as mentioned before that could be enough to be playing All Ireland football next year.

Also, aiming for an Ulster final appearance in 2026 isn't as outrageous an aim as it may have been even this year/last year.

[A man from Down]

At present I wouldn't have Galway top 5. If they get their strongest 15 out then maybe. Armagh, donegal, kerry, Dublin, Tyrone.

Galway must have had their strongest team out when they beat Armagh a couple of weeks ago....

[johnnycool]

A fair bit of negativity on here...

After kicking the 2 2 pointers at the start of the second half, a series of bad wides, some poor decisions to shot from poor angles and one slicing off the lads foot 20 metres out let Galway off the hook.

That was the losing of the game right there.

Other than that Down would have been well worth the win.

[urbangael]

At present I wouldn't have Galway top 5. If they get their strongest 15 out then maybe. Armagh, donegal, kerry, Dublin, Tyrone.

Galway must have had their strongest team out when they beat Armagh a couple of weeks ago....

armagh played a right few of their 2nd string to be fair. Look measure it how you like. I just wouldn't be happy with morale victories. We'd a great chance to top the group by beating monaghan and another chance to make the quarters with a home game against Galway failed at both. Knowing Lav he'll be furious. This shite of competing against all Ireland contenders won't wash with him or the panel. The way the draw panned out we'd a great chance to make last 8 and even last 4 and we didn't take it. Itll be hard to make huge improvements against Div 3 teams next year.

[befair]

Feel a mixture of pride and disappointment after today. Thought they played brilliantly, worked so hard but feel we might have left that one behind us.

Anyone still criticising Laverty clearly has issues with him (and Kilcoo) that bear no relation to anything that happens on the pitch. Down have gotten better every year he's been in the job. Even this year, the team has nearly gotten better with every game. Compare how they played today to the first game of the league or even the Fermanagh game, it's a big improvement.

Murdock is a colossus. Went toe to toe with Maher who was nominated for FOTY last year and got the better of him. He's been the best midfielder in the country this year imo, probably won't win an all star but he'll get one soon.

I also see Mooney is retiring. Was our best player for a good few years. A great servant who came back from awful injuries and that rotten assault, thought he made a real difference off the bench today too.

A fully fit Mooney would've been some asset for Laverty. He came on yesterday and made an impact. A fabulous footballer who through injury we never saw the best of.him in a Down jersey.

Sad he is retiring; still remember his tour de force vs Cavan in the Ulster semifinal a few years ago, which we somehow contrived to lose. He would have been perfectly suited to the new rules

[rodney trotter]

The Johnston brothers were flying in that game too. They weren't involved with Down this year. Lose interst? Liam Kerr also. Is Barry O Hagan back playing? Done the ACL twice.

[AnDúnAbú94]

The Johnston brothers were flying in that game too. They weren't involved with Down this year. Lose interst? Liam Kerr also. Is Barry O Hagan back playing? Done the ACL twice.

Shealan Johnston and Kerr both travelling apparently. I doubt O'Hagan will be back playing for Down unfortunately, just too tough on the body. He'll be lucky to play for Clonduff. It's a real shame because he's probably the inside forward that Laverty's been looking for. Not sure what the story is with Ryan Johnston but he would be on the older side, so could be that.

[snoopdog]

The Johnston brothers were flying in that game too. They weren't involved with Down this year. Lose interst? Liam Kerr also. Is Barry O Hagan back playing? Done the ACL twice.

Shealan Johnston and Kerr both travelling apparently. I doubt O'Hagan will be back playing for Down unfortunately, just too tough on the body. He'll be lucky to play for Clonduff. It's a real shame because he's probably the inside forward that Laverty's been looking for. Not sure what the story is with Ryan Johnston but he would be on the older side, so could be that.

Ryan played on those hogan cup teams with mooney so uo there in that age bracket. Early 30s. Saw him at game on Sunday.
I'd say he may be back next year.

[Truth hurts]

Burren are going through a bad patch of form, have they injuries? Surely they have a squad to cope with players being unavailable.

[urbangael]

Whats the story with Down website and the app. Its near impossible to get the results up on a Fri evening

[urbangael]

Are Galway not top 5?? I'd like to hear the 5 ahead of them.
[/quote]

Brilliant comment 😆


Told ya Galway weren't top 5. That adds to frustration for Down!!

[downtothecore]

Armagh are definitely not ahead of them...

[Truth hurts]

Now we are well through the league, are  there any players that could add something to the panel for next season. The obvious ones are in America but are their any others that Conor can add in?

[snoopdog]

Are Galway not top 5?? I'd like to hear the 5 ahead of them.

Brilliant comment 😆


Told ya Galway weren't top 5. That adds to frustration for Down!!
[/quote]
By your reckoning then neither would Armagh. But you can have you  your childish argument.
Down are still on the up whether you like it or not.   

[urbangael]

Are Galway not top 5?? I'd like to hear the 5 ahead of them.

Brilliant comment 😆


Told ya Galway weren't top 5. That adds to frustration for Down!!

By your reckoning then neither would Armagh. But you can have you  your childish argument.
Down are still on the up whether you like it or not.   
[/quote] I do agree Down are on the up but there were missed opportunities to progress further as we couldn't take out Monaghan or Galway. Relegation also a backward step. Going toe to toe with Galway in Newry but coming up short isn't good enough and I stand my the statement Galway aren't top 5.