Down Club Hurling & Football

[thebigfullforward]

Who was the man in Kilcoo backroom team that got involved with McCarron that time towards the end? What was he at?

Won more at club & county level than Jack.
Can hold his own in any company.

Hard luck Kilcoo. Battled to the end as always.

Just asked a question pal. No need to get defensive about it

[Blue By Nature]

Might as well put it out there. Delighted they were beat. And should have been beat out the gate only for Scotstown being stupid.     

[downtothecore]

Might as well put it out there. Delighted they were beat. And should have been beat out the gate only for Scotstown being stupid.     

kilcoo are not one bit surprised that most down clubs are happy to see them beat. It motivates them.

I would like to see other Down clubs win the down senior championship and give ulster as  good a go as kilcoo consistently have but I don't see anyone stepping up anytime soon. Same goes for intermediate and junior as performances in Ulster have been awful....

[Point-to-Point]

Somebody showed me Rostrevor's 5 Year Development Plan.

An interesting read- well, I suppose if you're into that kind of thing- but there was one thing in particular that stood out to me.

Strategic Goal # 3.7:
Explore expansion into other codes.

I was very pleased to read that.

Before the plan, there is an article about the history of the GAA in Rostrevor. There are several mentions of hurling, camoige, and handball in the parish. It does not only make a reference to the ghosts of the small ball, but it talks about the hurling and camogie success of previous years with great fondness, and talks about Rostrevor's reputation as "a thriving, multicode GAA club" with great pride.

Again, I was very pleased to read that.

The plan does not promise to restore hurling by 2030.

Instead, it sets out that they intend to 'examine the feasibility of the reintroduction of hurling and camogie' and 'survey the interest to offer handball and rounders.' All subject to facility enhancements. Of course.

I think this is a great approach from Rostrevor. I don't know if hurling will return to Rostrevor as soon as that. I hope so. But I can appreciate the challenges it will face. But I do think this is a great, pragmatic, sensible approach from a 'football club' who seem to be willing to engage with the other codes.

Too often I hear in football clubs 'sure no one would want to play that.' An insufferable argument.

According to the article, Rostrevor has 841 playing members. I'd say they could get 15 for a junior hurling/camogie team.

Rostrevor last won a hurling championship in 1994- well within living memory for many people. There is a tradition. Perhaps not the tradition of Portaferry or Ballycran; but there is a tradition nonetheless.

If every club was at least open to the possibility of providing hurling and camogie like Rostrevor seem to be, it would be a huge step in the right direction.

Best of luck to Rostrevor. Let's hope we see the small ball back at the foot of the Mournes before too long.

Regarding the handball and rounders- I know nothing about them. But I do think as part of Irish culture they deserve to be preserved and promoted in their own right.

Surely every club- hurling, football, or dual- could offer handball?

This is a great approach I think.

I'd love to see hurling back in our club- and I don't think it's too far away. But I can appreciate that there'll be a lot of logistics, preparation, and organisation involved.

A feasible plan outlining the next few years could be a great method to reintroduce hurling.

I've never really heard any talk about handball, but in the interests of preserving culture, I think it could be nice to see a bit of it.

[Truth hurts]

Is Pairc Esler flooded? Can we not get that place sorted?

[johnnycool]

I thought it was getting resurfacing work done.

It was awful for the Hurling final

[Leftmidfield]

Is Down V Armagh being streamed anywhere ?

[snoopdog]

Is Down V Armagh being streamed anywhere ?

Ulster gaa tv.
14neuro. But steep for a mckenna cup.

[Leftmidfield]

Is Down V Armagh being streamed anywhere ?

Ulster gaa tv.
14neuro. But steep for a mckenna cup.

Thanks Snoopdog. I'll not be paying €14. I see team has been announced. You'll get it in Score Beo

[Blackandblue2]

Good to see a few new names on the starting team.

Brooks and Mc Polin very strong club players so be interesting to see how they go. Loughran very sharp for club and would be good to see him at this level. Brown seems to be a new option at full forward as target man this year, hope he goes well

[PAULD123]

Why did Down give up home advantage? Surely there was a ground in the county that could have hosted it

[Truth hurts]

Why did Down give up home advantage? Surely there was a ground in the county that could have hosted it

Where?

[thewobbler]

Why did Down give up home advantage? Surely there was a ground in the county that could have hosted it

Much as I do like our neighbours and respect their facilities, there's not enough red flags on earth to cover the logistics of 3,000+ people descending on Burren.

Moving to Armagh was the right decision.

[Splash]

When was the last time an inter county match was held in Newcastle? Is it completely removed from being associated as any type of county grounds?

It would have been a novelty to see the county footballers line out in McKenna Páirc, although I'm not sure who would have been more unhappy- the Ballycran men, or the footballing fraternity.

I understand why the decision was taken, but ultimately it was the wrong decision. It's bad enough to give up home advantage. To give it up to Armagh of all teams, though...

If Antrim can make Corrigan work I'm sure something could have been sorted within Down.

[imtommygunn]

I was at a hurling one in the 90s but I would expect there's a more recent on than that...