Cowards !! John Clarke retires.

[orangeman]

Clarke, the older brother of Down star Martin, also took a swipe at critics on internet discussion forums in the wake of the five-point loss to Armagh last month.

"You get a lot of criticism, you don't mind people criticising you to your face, but you do have your critics who sit behind computer screens and are on discussion boards, which is cowardly," he said.




John Clarke has quit inter-county football after saying his "heart wasn't in it" following the Ulster SFC defeat to Armagh.
The 28-year An Riocht clubman added that he has left the county set-up "on good terms".
"I wouldn't be one for doing things half-hearted and if I wasn't going back fully committed with my heart in it, there was probably no point," he said.
However, Clarke has not ruled out a future return to the county colours.
"After the Armagh game it just got to the point where I just thought it wouldn't be fair to continue," he told the Irish News.
"I believed I would be doing myself an injustice and I'd be doing the team an injustice.
"I thought the time was right for the time being anyway - never say never in football - but as of now I've played my last game for Down.
"I've got a lot of time for (manager) James McCartan and I think the feeling is mutual, so I've left on good terms."
Clarke, the older brother of Down star Martin, also took a swipe at critics on internet discussion forums in the wake of the five-point loss to Armagh last month.
"You get a lot of criticism, you don't mind people criticising you to your face, but you do have your critics who sit behind computer screens and are on discussion boards, which is cowardly," he said.
"Players and managers alike take a lot of abuse. That's not the reason why I'm retiring, but there's criticism and there's criticism."

[rrhf]

Theres 3 threads could be merged here perhaps all with cross overs:  M Clarke and Heaney, M Harte and RTE, J Clarke and Hoganstand etc.  Could Heaneys article be misinterpretated as using his article as a form of almost bulling  to get his way, against Marty who in fairness seems a non media type who the media would love to have on speed dial.  I remember his article post Mc Rory cup final a few years ago which was gushing about the young lad, now simply  because hes pissed him off hes prepared to use his article to have a go at him - perhaps, perhaps not.
Build them up, knock them down tabloidism is maybe no longer just for the red tops and thats the way GAA reporting appears to be going.     Im sure it will have the opposite effect and drive Marty away.  Interestingly enough at the Bredagh night pre all ireland final last year as the team selection came through and was being disected there was a lot of critical talk about John starting.   Did Paddy not make or was it someone else the comment that Marty only plays (or wants to play) if John plays for Down  - as a neutral watching in that night I felt If I had played such an important part in getting my county to an all ireland final I would be well annoyed if I felt supporters and media were attributing my approach to nepotism.  Id have been pissed off too.  The media, supporters and fans need to have a little respect for the voluntary efforts of our players and respect their reasons for playing the sport, but dont bite at them too much because I wouldnt want a Tyrone man leaving a county career after 10 years dedication feeling as pissed off as John.  Similarly if Mickey wants to do something that we dont all like then dont savage him.  He dosent have to do anything more for us than line out a team, RTE are prepared to let a goat like pat spillane dominate our presentation of Gaelic games they are not as knowledgable about the promotion of the game as some might think.  Bad day for supporters and media types perhaps - But Ill certainly not criticise Mickey, Marty and John for that. 

[ONeill]

I must have missed some of the comments. I did a search on the match thread and could only find things like 'great club footballer, not county' etc.

If the above is the extent of the criticism, is that out of order? Are we not allowed to write what we feel, only say it in bars/loanans/confessions?

Maybe I've missed the stuff he's on about.

[PAULD123]

I've read pretty much everything that has been said about John Clarke on these boards and in truth the worst that has been said is that he isn't quite good enough for inter-county football. People have pointed out that he scores less than the other forwards around him. No one has ever called into question his attitude, his character or his honesty.

People are certainly entitled to hold their opinions and I don't think you can justify quitting the county just because some fans don't think you are good enough to be on the team, it's not as if he has been the subject of any verbal abuse.

I've always been a supporter of John's because his movement helped create a lot of scores but I think he is wrong about this. Surely if the county team mates and management think he is good enough then that should be all he needs to judge him. After all I don't think Caolan Mooney will quit tomorrow because a few people have expressed here that he is too inexperienced to be there.

[mackers]

I heard that he just threw the head up and walked off the training pitch when it started to rain.

I must have missed some of the comments. I did a search on the match thread and could only find things like 'great club footballer, not county' etc.

If the above is the extent of the criticism, is that out of order? Are we not allowed to write what we feel, only say it in bars/loanans/confessions?

Maybe I've missed the stuff he's on about.

There was very little posted about John as far as I could see but maybe he is sticking up for his wee brother who has been the subject of quite a bit of debate on here anyway. Again, nobody really ridiculed Martin, the bulk of the stuff posted on here was debating whether he was over hyped or not.
Next thing will be these players looking to ban pubs because the guys on the bar stools are criticising them!!!

[Brick Tamlin]

Yes thats what happened.
Really that is the truth Hardstation, you're right.
Rain, it really was that simple.
Who would have thought.

More please. Another nuggett if you will.

[Groucho]

[lynchbhoy]

have to say that I feel sorry for John Clarke. Recall feeling sorry for him each time I watch down as the poor fecker invariably gets taken off at some point. Thats depite him doing a couple of good things like scoring a point or creating a score from a good quick link pass or creating space for a score as a very unselfish forward.
The ball just doesnt seem to go in to him either so as per usual, its eithe rthe corner forward or full forward or corner back thats taken off when the game is being lost in the middle third of the field.
Give the lad some time away to get the hunger back. I hope he returns.

[ck]

Very strange time for any player to call time on his county career. Sounds a bit impulsive if you ask me. Would have thought wee James would have sorted it.
Yes he is a limited enough player but still had a role to play with Down. Big decision. Could he live to regret it?

[Tony Baloney]

Just seen this. Most likely Hoganstand.

[Blowitupref]

Just seen this. Most likely Hoganstand.

Well if he quit because of comments on hoganstand trollstand then he's not sharpest knife in the drawer? at least we have some constructive criticism here that should inspire the players to prove us wrong.

[snoopdog]

Best of Luck to John, i know i have maybe said in prior posts that he may not be the best player in the world but he tries and gave all for Down.
To be honest though would a bad player really make it into the Down forwards.
john i hope no one on this board has soured your love for your county and i hope you dont regret this decision asa player only has a short career.
Maybe answering your critics would have been your best response.
after all none of us on the board are good enough to be a county footballer(i think) and the commitment you have given to Down over the years is brilliant.
Best of luck big lad.
PS only a fool would question the ability of your brother Marty

[Pangurban]

A good footballerand fine servant of Down footballer, hope he reconsiders his decision, as i feel he will regret it in years to come.  Whatever he decides i am sure all genuine Down fans will support him and wish him well

[Jinxy]

On the committee room tonight Vincent Hogan was talking about some of the gaa forums being "vicious" in the context of John Clarkes statement about criticism of players.
I honestly don't get this.
Which forums is he talking about?
This place polices itself pretty well and you can't say boo on hoganstand or the moderator will pull it.
An fear rua is pretty tightly controlled as well.
I'm a bit puzzled to be honest.

[saffron sam2]

Maybe he's talking about this.

Every good player has a brother who was twice as good but never made it.

Called John.