Down Club Hurling & Football

[Get Over]

Turnaround times for the teams competing in Championship this weekend

Senior Championship Rd 2A

Burren(7 days) v Clonduff(10 Days)
Kilcoo(7 Days) v Carryduff(8 Days)
Bryansford(8 Days) v Saul(5 Days- Played Extra Time)
Loughinisland(7 Days) v Warrenpoint(6 Days - Played Extra Time)

Senior Championship Rd 2B
Glenn(8 Days) v Saval(5 Days - Played Extra Time)
Mayobridge(8 Days) v Ballyholland(6 Days)
Bredagh(6 Days - Played Extra Time) v Castlewellan(7 Days)
Drumgath(6 Days) v Downpatrick(8 Days)

Intermediate Rd 2A
Newry Shamrocks(6 Days) v Liatroim(7 Days)
An Riocht(9 Days) v Longstone(8 Days)
Tullylish(9 Days) v Rostrevor(7 Days)
Teconnaught(10 Days) v Annaclone(7 Days)

Intermediate Rd 2B
Dromara(8 Days) v Ballymartin(8 Days)
Darragh Cross(7 Days) v Atticall(9 Days)
St John Bosco(8 Days) v Clann Na Banna(6 Days)
St Johns Drumnaquoile(8 Days) v Ardglass(8 Days)

It is clear to see from the turnaround times of all the clubs playing this weekend that Saul and Saval have been given a raw deal, expected to play 5 days after their previous fixture and on top of that having played extra time in those fixtures also. It is very clear that the decision makers could have placed other ties on the Friday and given those teams 6 day turnarounds and allowed the extra day or so rest for both Saul & Saval. Unfortunately Down GAATV is obviously a factor in this and seemingly the county board has been swayed by thoughts of £££ and prioritised this over player welfare. Why no Intermediate matches on Friday night? At least 3 of those Intermediate matches would have involved a team with no less than a 6 day turnaround from the previous round.

100% correct. Saval and Saul have been hard done by massively. Scheduling games to suit the paying viewers and supporters rather than the players themselves is short-sighted. Players train all year to build up to the championship, only to be handed a mere five days between critical championship games. Given the rising injury rates and intense fitness demands of the new rules, recovery time Surely needs to be implemented in the thinking behind organising fixtures.

[downtothecore]

An Riocht and Longstone in Attical is attractive tie this weekend. Neither team will want to loose this. Bragging rights to the kingdom i think...

[maldini]

Not just the turnaround times, how do they come up with some of these venues.
Annaclone v Teconnaughts in Tullylish
Atticall v darragh cross in glassdrumman
As good as a home game to one team and a 45 minute journey for the other

[DuffGael]

An Riocht and Longstone in Attical is attractive tie this weekend. Neither team will want to loose this. Bragging rights to the kingdom i think...

What a tie, Mourne derbys are special

[manwithnoplan]

Not just the turnaround times, how do they come up with some of these venues.
Annaclone v Teconnaughts in Tullylish
Atticall v darragh cross in glassdrumman
As good as a home game to one team and a 45 minute journey for the other

Glasdrumman hosting a championship game is a bit ridiculous given their pitch surely isn't the correct size. Also as you say, basically a home game for Attical. Newcastle, Dundrum or Castlewellan more suitable.
Teconnaught are really getting shafted too but I suppose they are supposedly the smaller club so maybe the county board isn't too concerned. Again, Castlewellan or even Liatriom more suitable options.

[thewobbler]

If anyone thinks it's as simple as "let's find the halfway point between the competing clubs and tell that club they're hosting", well let's just say you probably look for unicorns when you're not posting here.