Down Club Hurling & Football

[LosDodgers]

Yeah but you woukd prefer to be sure by winning Div 3. Being in the Tailteann would be a disaster for Down.

100% huge to win D3 final, another trophy win at Croke Park (we have a terrible record in league finals from my memory) and pretty much gaurenteed Sam Maguire football unless likes of Sligo beat Galway or Clare beat Kerry!

[marty34]

See Mooney back in with Down, good option of the bench with 15/20mins to go! Any word on either Eugene Branagan or Anthony Morgan are going to be involved at any stage this year?

A lot of players coming out of retirement - Mc Kiernan (Cavan), Mooney (Down) and Michael Murphy (Donegal). Probably add more to that list.

Is it the new rules that's enticing them back - a bit more space and the 2 pointers? That's be true in Mc Kiernan's and Murphy's case for sure.

[toby47]

See Mooney back in with Down, good option of the bench with 15/20mins to go! Any word on either Eugene Branagan or Anthony Morgan are going to be involved at any stage this year?

A lot of players coming out of retirement - Mc Kiernan (Cavan), Mooney (Down) and Michael Murphy (Donegal). Probably add more to that list.

Is it the new rules that's enticing them back - a bit more space and the 2 pointers? That's be true in Mc Kiernan's and Murphy's case for sure.

Yeah, football is about 10 times more enjoyable to play now.

[PAULD123]

Since 1983 we have lost 6 National League deciders in a row

One Division 1
Two division 2
Three Division 3

In fact since 1994 we have only one one final of any description which was the Tailteann cup two years ago

[Aristo 60]

McKenna Cup final 2008

[PAULD123]

McKenna Cup final 2008

Yes, I stand corrected

[Walt Jabsco]

The hurlers are as good as down as they'd need 2 wins v Dublin in Parnell and then Antrim in Newry.

Kildare did all the damage in the first half when they played with the strong wind on their backs.

Too much pace and team work for Down who put up a much better show in the second half.
It got a wee bit feisty which from a Down perspective would have been better if they'd shown that fire in the first half.
Big Ruairi lucky not to get a red with the block down that caught the Kildare lads helmet.  There was no malice in it, just mistimed.

The minor camogs had a good win later on in the day on the same pitch.

The Liatroim groundsman should be sacked, he's letting his standards slip

The impossible he does today but miracles take a little longer JC
It held up well on Sunday to staging a double header. Very few grounds could take the amount of usage that it has in recent weeks. Hopefully there will be another IC fixture when the sod is a bit drier.

[Aristo 60]

McKenna Cup final 2008

Yes, I stand corrected

Always think it was the little bit of a spring board for 2010 - so I don't forget it 

[LosDodgers]

Yeah records in Finals since 1994:

1996. Ulster vs Tyrone Lost by 3
1999. Ulster vs Armagh Lost by 11
2003. ulster Vs Tyrone Lost by 15 (after reply where we threw away about a 12 point lead)
2004. D2 Vs Offaly Lost by 1
2009. D3 Vs Tipperary Lost by 1
2010. D2 Vs Armagh Lost by 2
2010. All Ireland vs Cork Lost by 1
2012. Ulster vs Donegal lost by 11
2015. D2 Vs Roscommon Lost by 5
2017. Ulster vs Tyrone lost by 8
2020. D3 Vs Cork Lost by 5
2023. Tailteann vs Meath lost by 5
2024. D3 Vs Westmeath Lost by 3
2024. Tailteann Vs Laois WON by 2


13 Final loses in a row before the Tailteann Cup win so winning D3 final means we will be back on a Winning streak!

(This doesn't include 3 McKenna Cup wins)

[PAULD123]

This division 3 final will be vitally important. If we don't win The final I think we will probably end in the Tailteann cup.

So basically, the two promoted teams from Division 3 qualify for the All-Ireland unless:

Kildare get relegated; then The Division 3 runners up miss out.

A Team that is not in the top 16 reaches a provincial final; then The Division 3 runners up miss out.

Both of these things happen; then both The Division 3 runners up and The Division 3 winners miss out.

The danger would be two of the following happening, and then even winning Division 3 wouldn't be enough:

Kildare relegated

Westmeath or Laois get to Leinster final

Sligo fluke a victory over Galway

Limerick fluke a victory over Cork

Cavan beat Monaghan then Derry

Or Tyrone relegated then get to Ulster final.

There are a couple of other ones, but they aren't realistic (like Clare beating Kerry or Antrim getting Ulster final).

I find it hard to believe that at least one of these things won't happen. Which would mean losing the Division 3 final would be a Sam Maguire Kiabosh for us.

[Aristo 60]

Good analysis Paul D and plenty of food for thought

[Ed Hardy]

Any word on the minor panel for the season ahead?

[Nanderson]

Any word on the minor panel for the season ahead?

Team has just been named on socials

[Splash]

The hurlers never really got going last week against Kildare, and are in all likelihood now destined to be relegation to Division 2.

Kildare took their chances when they got them, and despite Down having a much more competitive second half, it wasn't enough.

The last of the 'big games' tonight, away to Dublin. Dublin have cemented themselves as a top team in the country, and are not a second class team, shown by how they knocked Limerick out of the all Ireland, and whilst it's hard to see Down getting the win tonight, I'm looking forward to seeing how competitive down can be after a relatively good performance in Clare, and a great one against Wexford in Ballycran.

I do believe that in the coming decades, with the right work put in, Down can aspire to replicate what Dublin have done.

A couple injuries sustained to key players last week will make this harder than it has to be, but it is good to see McGrattan making his return.

The U20s were well enough beat by Antrim in the Ulster Final during the week. To me this emphasises the fact that we need an entire systematic change to try and bridge the gap between ourselves and the noisy neighbours.

[snoopdog]

Any word on the minor panel for the season ahead?

Team has just been named on socials

They were beat out the gate unfortunately. Only the league so maybe trying things out.