Down Club Hurling & Football

[Nanderson]

Hard luck Kilcoo was rooting for them today as I thought it would be special to see 7 in a row being done. The amount of injuries affecting the starting team for Kilcoo took its toll, seeing Laverty came back on they had exhausted their best options from the bench (although i was surprised Aaron Brannigan wasn't thrown in maybe with 15 mins left). 3 of the Brannigan's getting yellow cards early on changed the way they liked to mark their men and it mean't Kerr, O'Hare and Toner got a bit more freedom. Its mad to think that some of that Kilcoo squad; Ryan Johnston, Darryl Brannigan, Darragh O'Hanlon and possibly a couple of others have won 2009-2011 Down Minor championships and then went on to win 2012-2017 Down Senior championships. Thats a serious medal collection 

[thebar]

To Burren congrats....deserving winners on the day not only did you stand up when it counted but played some nice controlled football especially in the 2nd half...injuries caught up with Kilcoo but at the end of the day 6 in a row hasn't been a bad run! Ballyholland deserving minor winners...14 for Ballyholland very good they have some handy footballers coming through if they can just keep them together.

[forevergreen]

Fantastic win for our seniors today. They kept the heads well in 2nd half and Donal O has found his ruthless streak again. Kilcoo kept at it and whilst they were missing a number of their top players, Burren had quite a few changes too from previous. Bringing Con Toner and Shay McArdle of the bench shows the strength in depth we have.
Our young lads done very well and will only grow in confidence now. Kerr was lively throughout and shipped a heavy tackle from Daryl Brannigan that could have subdued him. Kilcoo will believe that they can regroup and go again given their injuries but this might well be the monkey of our backs to bring more of the younger players through.
Thought Con Reynolds done a good job in the middle, kept control and allowed game to play when possible.
Ulster will be a new challenge but this group could provide a few shocks in it.
Unfortunately for our minors they came up against a great Harps side that have plenty of talent that was equally matched by a himger and work rate. They'll have given Ballyholland a real lift when badly needed.

[Mourne Rover]

Two decent games in Newry today with Ballyholland minors the stars of the show. They are solid at the back with a serious midfield and McGovern and Grant were outstanding up front.

Burren just edged the senior final, probably through hunger across the pitch with Donal O'Hare bringing a touch of class to their attack and deservedly getting the MoM. His second goal, at the end of the best move of the day, was a particularly clinical piece of finishing and good enough to win any championship.

The Branagans are still a force of nature, and, with no USC to consider this Autumn, it would be a huge pity if the likes of Dabs and Genie went through their careers without finding out once and for all if they are county standard. They may not be the biggest, but they would bring pace, heart and total commitment to any squad. It was a pity to see Laverty, the best club player we have produced in the last 20 years, struggling, but Kilcoo
will be a threat again when they are able to field their strongest side, although the Johnstons showed very little discipine when they were most needed in the closing stages.

While the Ulster title is wide open this year, Burren would still need to improve sharply if they are to go on a run. They relied heavily on the four long range frees from Murdoch to keep them in the contest at half time, and they would be outsiders if they get Scotstown in the quarters, but they won't be worrying too much about that tonight.

[BarryBreensBandage]

Great to see positive posts on this thread regarding Down finals held today. For all the work that was undoubtedly put in to the four teams reaching this stage, hopefully it bodes well for the future.

[downjim]

Utm my arse, best club player since 98 is not Laverty but in the top five. We are back and we are not going anywhere. It's coming home

[Smurfy123]

It wasn't Lavertys day but he's up there as one of the best club players this 20 years.

[charlieTully]

Utm my arse, best club player since 98 is not Laverty but in the top five. We are back and we are not going anywhere. It's coming home

Win with dignity ya p***k. Half their first team was missing.

[downjim]

I said he was in the top five club players this past 20 years . Anyone for Mollies??

[BarryBreensBandage]

Utm my arse, best club player since 98 is not Laverty but in the top five. We are back and we are not going anywhere. It's coming home

Is that your prediction for your Ulster club championship run?

[Kingpins]

Stevi nicks.. wind your neck in, take the beating and quit your crying!! Mc kernan met the fella with super shoulder, shouldnt even have been a free!! Lets put the jealousy and bitterness to one side and agree that the cream always rises to the top, u14s, u 16s, minor finalists, 2nds semi finalists, 3rds finalists, senior double!! The aristocrats of down football, always have and always will be!! Past, present and future champions!! As i said dominating a county for so long but yet no return in ulster marks failure in my eyes, you need to cement your clubs name in ulster glory to be recognised as a great team, lets be honest down hav'nt produced any great teams since ourselves and it looks like its going to be left up to us to repeat the glory in the years ahead again. Heads up to kilcoo though, tried so hard.. failed and will go down as decent team in our local club scene.

[Mourne Red]

Utm my arse, best club player since 98 is not Laverty but in the top five. We are back and we are not going anywhere. It's coming home

Be prepared to have this quoted back to you this time next year if Burren do a bottle job

[Brick Tamlin]

Stevi nicks.. wind your neck in, take the beating and quit your crying!! Mc kernan met the fella with super shoulder, shouldnt even have been a free!! Lets put the jealousy and bitterness to one side and agree that the cream always rises to the top, u14s, u 16s, minor finalists, 2nds semi finalists, 3rds finalists, senior double!! The aristocrats of down football, always have and always will be!! Past, present and future champions!! As i said dominating a county for so long but yet no return in ulster marks failure in my eyes, you need to cement your clubs name in ulster glory to be recognised as a great team, lets be honest down hav'nt produced any great teams since ourselves and it looks like its going to be left up to us to repeat the glory in the years ahead again. Heads up to kilcoo though, tried so hard.. failed and will go down as decent team in our local club scene.

This in a nutshell, a prime example of why Burren folk can be labelled an arrogant shower of pricks.
Aristocrats show class.
Wasnt much chirping for last 7 years

[thebar]

Stevi nicks.. wind your neck in, take the beating and quit your crying!! Mc kernan met the fella with super shoulder, shouldnt even have been a free!! Lets put the jealousy and bitterness to one side and agree that the cream always rises to the top, u14s, u 16s, minor finalists, 2nds semi finalists, 3rds finalists, senior double!! The aristocrats of down football, always have and always will be!! Past, present and future champions!! As i said dominating a county for so long but yet no return in ulster marks failure in my eyes, you need to cement your clubs name in ulster glory to be recognised as a great team, lets be honest down hav'nt produced any great teams since ourselves and it looks like its going to be left up to us to repeat the glory in the years ahead again. Heads up to kilcoo though, tried so hard.. failed and will go down as decent team in our local club scene.

Good man Kingpins you tell him

[snoopdog]

Utm my arse, best club player since 98 is not Laverty but in the top five. We are back and we are not going anywhere. It's coming home

Win with dignity ya p***k. Half their first team was missing.

As much as id like to see Burren do well in Ulster. Its comments and arrogance of the above would turn you off them. Thankfully i know alot of decent Burren people whom im delighted for and they wouldnt come out with the arrogance this clown constantly does. For Kilcoo to get so close to 7 in a row is a massive achievment for a club that were nowhere in the 80s and 90s. . The Benchmark in Down football. With a full strength squad thet willl be back next year. Hopefully more of their players will make themselves available for Tally.  Also hopefully Burren will bring through some of this promising crop of players they have to the county side. McKernan has been the only real classy olayer from that club to play for Down in a long time. Will highlights be on tg4 this evening i wonder