Down Club Hurling & Football

[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.

[Blue By Nature]

Great to see our hurling manager was really happy that Celtic won yesterday. Hope he never manages them after Saturdays result           

[LosDodgers]

Great to see our hurling manager was really happy that Celtic won yesterday. Hope he never manages them after Saturdays result           

Ridiculous statement! The man is allowed to have a life outside of managing the hurlers- and he dedicates some amount of time to Down GAA (will often do Stewart for the football games) and doesn't take a penny.

Yes hurlers got beat out the gate on Saturday against one of the top teams in the country. Unfortunately the gap between 1B and 2A has just been too big for this Down team. But hopefully the experience of playing against these sides will stand to them and we can come back up stronger. Antrim have struggled too so hopefully we can give them a good rattle in Newry and set us up for the championship.

[johnnycool]

Great to see our hurling manager was really happy that Celtic won yesterday. Hope he never manages them after Saturdays result           

Ridiculous statement! The man is allowed to have a life outside of managing the hurlers- and he dedicates some amount of time to Down GAA (will often do Stewart for the football games) and doesn't take a penny.

Yes hurlers got beat out the gate on Saturday against one of the top teams in the country. Unfortunately the gap between 1B and 2A has just been too big for this Down team. But hopefully the experience of playing against these sides will stand to them and we can come back up stronger. Antrim have struggled too so hopefully we can give them a good rattle in Newry and set us up for the championship.

I wouldn't be overly critical of the management after that defeat, it's just the stark reality of where Down hurling is at in terms of resource, playing numbers etc compared to the likes of Dublin, Clare etc.

It has to be said that in the program for the game it had a report from the last time Down and Dublin played in the league in 2005 in Ballycran and Down actually won the game to relegate Dublin to Div2.

Back then Down had forwards the calibre of Big Magic, Dule Braniff and Brendan McGourty. With the best will in the world we don't have forwards of that calibre now.

[the waffler]

Great to see our hurling manager was really happy that Celtic won yesterday. Hope he never manages them after Saturdays result           

I'm not sure the forwards are that bad, been pitting up good enough scores I think the other end may be needing more attention

Ridiculous statement! The man is allowed to have a life outside of managing the hurlers- and he dedicates some amount of time to Down GAA (will often do Stewart for the football games) and doesn't take a penny.

Yes hurlers got beat out the gate on Saturday against one of the top teams in the country. Unfortunately the gap between 1B and 2A has just been too big for this Down team. But hopefully the experience of playing against these sides will stand to them and we can come back up stronger. Antrim have struggled too so hopefully we can give them a good rattle in Newry and set us up for the championship.

I wouldn't be overly critical of the management after that defeat, it's just the stark reality of where Down hurling is at in terms of resource, playing numbers etc compared to the likes of Dublin, Clare etc.

It has to be said that in the program for the game it had a report from the last time Down and Dublin played in the league in 2005 in Ballycran and Down actually won the game to relegate Dublin to Div2.

Back then Down had forwards the calibre of Big Magic, Dule Braniff and Brendan McGourty. With the best will in the world we don't have forwards of that calibre now.

[Ed Hardy]

Any word on the Down u20s panel for this evenings game?

[johnnycool]

Great to see our hurling manager was really happy that Celtic won yesterday. Hope he never manages them after Saturdays result           

I'm not sure the forwards are that bad, been pitting up good enough scores I think the other end may be needing more attention

Ridiculous statement! The man is allowed to have a life outside of managing the hurlers- and he dedicates some amount of time to Down GAA (will often do Stewart for the football games) and doesn't take a penny.

Yes hurlers got beat out the gate on Saturday against one of the top teams in the country. Unfortunately the gap between 1B and 2A has just been too big for this Down team. But hopefully the experience of playing against these sides will stand to them and we can come back up stronger. Antrim have struggled too so hopefully we can give them a good rattle in Newry and set us up for the championship.

I wouldn't be overly critical of the management after that defeat, it's just the stark reality of where Down hurling is at in terms of resource, playing numbers etc compared to the likes of Dublin, Clare etc.

It has to be said that in the program for the game it had a report from the last time Down and Dublin played in the league in 2005 in Ballycran and Down actually won the game to relegate Dublin to Div2.

Back then Down had forwards the calibre of Big Magic, Dule Braniff and Brendan McGourty. With the best will in the world we don't have forwards of that calibre now.

Maybe the defence was better then as well 

[ardtole]

Donegal v Down USFC is to played in Letterkenny, Ballybofey won't be available in time.

The capacity in Letterkenny is only 8200, i wonder what allocation Down will be entitled to?

[snoopdog]

Donegal v Down USFC is to played in Letterkenny, Ballybofey won't be available in time.

The capacity in Letterkenny is only 8200, i wonder what allocation Down will be entitled to?

Would many Down people have travelled apart from the  core that go to the league games. Wasnt many Down in Clones last year and its closer.
I could be wrong but im not even sure letteekenny has concrete terraces. A real 80s throwback.

[LosDodgers]

The potential issue could be that you would expect at least 8000 Donegal supporters to attend this game. Only Donegal Season Ticket holders would be gaurenteed a ticket. Down don't have season tickets for this season as we're D3.

So after the ST holders are sorted it would be general sale through Ticketmaster which could sell out quickly, or will each club in Down get an allocation?

There would be potential for Down fans who have travelled to all 7 league games missing out on tickets.

[LosDodgers]

Promotion achieved. I think yet again we looked like we really could step it up again when we wanted. The difference between D2 and D3 is massive. I hope this doesn't work against us come championship.

I would hope/expect to see 15 changes for next weeks game against Laois and give lads a rest and also gets starts some lads valuable minutes and we should be well prepared for league final.

League final will be biggest game of the year as Kildare look increasingly likely to get relegated meaning only D3 champions will play Sam Maguire

[snoopdog]

10 point win today. Job done promotion confirmed. But Burns kick outs ar ea worry. 2nd game in a row he got.blew up for taking too long. Donegal will note that.  Sligo shouldve had a goal from a very poor kickout straight to a Sligo player.
Wind was swirling in Sligo so the scoreboard end was difficult to kick into. Magnificent surface.
Really need to win the final

[PAULD123]

...
I would hope/expect to see 15 changes for next weeks game against Laois...

I wouldn't want to see that many changes. Certainly I agree that it's a great opportunity to give some fringe players game time. A great opportunity to give Barry O'Hagan a decent run of minutes. But I'm also a great believer in momentum. I really wouldn't want to see a disruption to our momentum. I think when you're on a run you need to keep the run going.

[ardtole]

Id rest Murdock, Guinness, Laverty, Burns, McEvoy, Havern. Possibly the biggest game of the year the following week. Win and we go into the Donegal on a high and a free hit.