USFC Qtr Final - Armagh V Down - Athletic Grounds 28th May 7:30pm

[GAA_Junkie]

P.S All of the Down team need to have a look at themselves tonight.  Very few of them can say they performed.  The season isn't over but management and players need to get things sorted.

[GAA_Junkie]

No wonder Burren and Bryansford were afraid to play each other they are both crap

[PAULD123]

.....I can't help but think of some Down posters contributions to Armagh threads earlier in the spring............

I think it's only fair that I come on to accept this comment and accept it with dignity because it is mostly me you are talking about Mackers.

Armagh were clearly better and deserved to win

We were utterly awful

I don't think Armagh fans will think that they saw a great Armagh display by any means, it was a very good display, but I am sure Armagh fans will still be looking for improvement. Doesn't that just show how bad we were. We were torn apart by an Armagh team that didn't even perform to the highest level. I'm not slagging off Armagh here, just the opposite, they didn't have to play any better to totally blow us a way.

My god Armagh destroyed, no, obliterated our midfield. They at one stage retrieved 10 kickouts in a row. In every area they were probably better, but it was at least a close contest. But midfield turned it from close to almost run-away.

That said there are a few minor points that are worth mentioning but please don't anyone take this as sour grapes or even think I consider them in any way critical. The only important thing is that we were well beaten by a much better team on the night.

1.   The ref was not great, behind play a lot and hesitant. But he didn't do anything terribly wrong. The only gripe I have is that he stonewall refused to give frees to Benny, There were four obvious ones including the much talked about goal chance/push. I wonder if he has some history with Benny? No probs giving frees to other Down players.

2.   That goal chance came at a very critical time and could have influenced the game, it should have been a yellow card and an easy free.

3.   The other goal chance was such bad luck, it went right through Mallon's(?) legs, so could easily have gone in.

4.   Blah blah blah, yeah I know it probably sounds boring and you're probably thinking it's the same old tired excuse but in twenty years I have never seen Down play well in the rain. Yeah I know it's a pathetic excuse but I can only say what I see. You will only see if we are any good on a dry hard pitch

But like I said, though the above are significant influences, I hold them in no critical importance. Armagh were much better and greatly deserved their victory. I am totally gutted but at least it was fair and indisputable.

[David McKeown]

Bit of talk on here about the 'foul' on Coulter, I am still not convinced there was that much in it, but regardless I thought the ref played an advantage there as Coulter was still able to get a shot away one on one with the keeper.  The fact that Hearty saved it doesnt mean it should come back for a free, had Coulter scored there I am sure no down fan would have wanted it brought back for a free

[GAA_Junkie]

If fit Paul Murphy should have been thrown in.  A tank who takes no prisoners who should have been sent to talk to that McKeever mouth piece

[PAULD123]

My opinions on what happened, and it's not good enough to simply say there were too many Burren men on the pitch

1.   My god Armagh destroyed, no, obliterated our midfield. They at one stage, in the second half, retrieved 10 kickouts in a row. In every area they were probably better, but it was at least a close contest. But midfield turned it from close to almost run-away

2.   Armagh showed a fight that Down didn't. We didn't want it enough. It doesn't matter about James's substitutions. No one was as up for it as his Armagh counterpart except maybe Benny.

3.   This sounds like a cheap excuse, but it is true that we did have a major off-night. That is the worst I've seen us play in nearly two years.

4.   The ref was not great, behind play a lot and hesitant. But he didn't do anything terribly wrong. The only gripe I have is that he stonewall refused to give frees to Benny, There were four obvious ones including the much talked about goal chance/push. I wonder if he has some history with Benny? No probs giving frees to other Down players.

5.   That goal chance came at a very critical time and could have influenced the game, it should have been a yellow card and an easy free.

6.   The other goal chance was such bad luck, it went right through Mallon's(?) legs, so could easily have gone in.

7.   Blah blah blah, yeah I know it probably sounds boring and you're probably thinking it's the same old tired excuse but in twenty years I have never seen Down play well in the rain. Yeah I know it's a pathetic excuse but I can only say what I see. You will only see if we are any good on a dry hard pitch

[Blowitupref]

And all this can't go in the Armagh v Down thread because?

[GAA_Junkie]

Because it mentions self gratification you gimp.

[ziggysego]

I love drunken posts.

[Blowitupref]

I love drunken posts.

His first posts for 3 years something must have got on his tits?

[orchard 8195]

just home here lads. havent even looked at comments  and will 2mara when im sober but by frig that would do ur heart good looking at that game 2night. everyone died for the orange and white. biggest critic ever of the mayo man and he was outstanding.  so good, so much passion its unreal throughout the team. who was motm, im gonna be contraversial and give it to mackin.

[GalwayBayBoy]

I only saw brief highlights of the match but Billy Joe Padden looked like a superstar during the game. This being a guy who I would usually equate to a Mayo version of Mattie Clancy without the goal scoring ability.

Is he just playing on a better team/system or has he suddenly got a lot better?

[GalwayBayBoy]

I only saw brief highlights of the match but Billy Joe Padden looked like a superstar during the game. This being a guy who I would usually equate to a Mayo version of Mattie Clancy without the goal scoring ability.

Is he just playing on a better team/system or has he suddenly got a lot better?

[mountainboii]

I only saw brief highlights of the match but Billy Joe Padden looked like a superstar during the game. This being a guy who I would usually equate to a Mayo version of Mattie Clancy without the goal scoring ability.

Is he just playing on a better team/system or has he suddenly got a lot better?

Billy Joe is very strong, has good hands, and works his arse off.

Still not dying about him, he didn't do anything special during the league, but he played a hell of a role tonight. A vital cog in attack.

[mountainboii]

How do you only award your two midfielders 3? Bizarre in my opinion!

Snap. Thought the Down midfield killed us for about 15 minutes each side of half time. King seemed very decent during these periods. Our midfield might have edged it overall, but it's not as if they were completely dominant.