Down Club Hurling & Football

[Sheedy]

Really poor stuff today. Slow, boring, negative. Scoreline flattered Down at the end because Meath were much the better team. They looked like a team while we looked like a load of fellas that had been gathered up that morning.

[urbangael]

Holy shite where does this team go from here... Disappointing thing was I wasn't surprised by the result. If anything it flattered down. Every team in Ulster would appear to be making progress except Down. The reality is some of the best players in Down aren't playing for the County for one reason or another and it could be another 20+years before they are challenging for an Ulster title. No progress on the field and a stale Co Board making no progress off the field... Sorry for the doom and gloom but its the reality of Down football.

[thebar]

Never been further away....wouldn't matter who the personnel were...just not good enough and no light at the end of the tunnel.

[Smurfy123]

Who are all these best players not playing for Down
With the exception of J Johnstone?
Down have been very poor since this management took over
No game plan but plant 13 behind the ball and hope for the best
Antrim and Derry seem to be making real progress
What is the game plan?
What progress has been made?
What has Tally brought to the table?

[snoopdog]

I fear this team will take an awful beating of Donegal if they dont get some sort of cohesion and quick. Westmeath a big game next week and I cant see them winning that. A playoff for relegation possibly against Cork? It would take some dramatic change for this team to stay up. Down were fortunate to get promoted last year alot of teams at same level in div 3 last term apart from Cork.  I thought Down would struggle to stay up but I didnt realise we were this poor,

[RadioGAAGAA]

Down have been very poor since this management took over

Down have been poor for years before this management took over. Its just more of the same.

Calling for change at senior level is like the English press thinking with a change of manager they'd win the world cup.


The changes need to happen on down the age groups. Unfortunately, playstations & xboxes are winning the attention of youngsters and football sport is a very distant second. [Which in itself doesn't explain the drop in performance relative to others - but is one of the obstacles that must be overcome to address the issues.]

[Johnnysboys]

First switch should be the goalkeeper
No where near good enough
Far to slow getting his kickouts away

O Kane Kilcoo keeper
McGarry CPN
Savage BFORD
Loughran BALLYHOLLAND
SMYTH Mayobridge

I see Savage came on today.. still not a county player in my eyes...

Very very poor today. Cohesion, kickouts, team play etc have all been talked about on here - but their basics of the game are fierce poor.. we don't tackle to dispossess we run along side men n pull n drag n concede free kicks galore.. catching, kicking, fist passing, pickups - breaks my heart watching them plus we look heavy.. bar Mooney and Kerr who have blistering pace all other players look heavy set.  Might work for January/February league football with heavy pitches but not this time of year.. Michael Murphy injured hamstring today could help us to keep score down v Donegal.. I fear this match..

[grounded]

Fingers crossed for this evening. There is not a whole pile of difference between the 2 teams. So could go either way. Just hoping for a better performance than last week.

Theres a massive difference on the scoreboard.

Yep, i never thought we are that bad. Things are bleak

[Smurfy123]

Down looked very heavy legged today.
Compared to Cavan last year where we had pace everywhere in the team
Still all the play for in a one off match against one of the other teams in south

[johnnycool]

Even the Sunday Game match commentator passing a snidey comment at the end as to how poor Down were..

With 40 odd clubs and the vast majority of the CB's resources behind football, it's really poor stuff all the same.

Hope someone grabs the nettle and shakes these development squads up as evidently Down aren't producing the right types of footballers.

[upandwin]

Let's not pretend that the best players are playing in the county...I guarantee you could pick 15 lads about the county to beat this Down team. The management have to take some responsibility because I think the style of football has been so negative, but they'll argue that's because they're not working with the best talent either...so it's a chicken and egg scenario.

I think over the last ten years or so, our mantra has been to 'not lose the game' rather than try and win it. Poor stuff, yesterday was no surprise other than I thought it would've been more of a drubbing. Tough division this year no doubt and I for one thought this experience would do the lads good but it seems to be having the total opposite effect.

IMO the most obvious position that needs addressed is at N0.1. Several Keepers that spring to mind, not sure if anyone else was asked or not but seems to be a massive area for improvement. That being said, the current lads have had zero help with no kick out plan or movement even to give them support.

Can anyone here explain why the obvious Kilcoo contingent aren't available...ever? IMO Niall Kane, Eugene, Daryl and Aaron Brannigan would be a massive help to the cause and I'd probably have Donach McAleenan in there from CPN...think he's a class player too. Is Steven Fegan involved from Burren? He's another fine player but riddled with injuries so maybe not available. Heard a few very strange names mentioned for call ups to the squad over the last month or so which seem questionable...won't mention the names as I'd rather not sledge people on here but is there no1 else people can think of for a call up to add some experience and something a bit different to what we have?

[Mourne Red]

I think there is too much focus on tactics etc at underage making players more robotic and also sapping enjoyment out of the game for youngsters.

I'm not saying take competitive edge out of Gaelic but replace these tactics training parts etc and teach basics to players.. Right foot, left foot, catching, hand passing. Backs v Forwards, coaching the block.

Also put competitiveness back into the game and a younger age,, no more participation medals etc these youngsters are playing FIFA/Call of Duty and play to win with them so bring this back into underage, will drive youngsters on to put practice into there football skills and less practicing their Fortnite/gaming skills.

If we can get underage right and not have a 10 person management team who all have their own ideas and telling players different things we'll be back at ulsters top table. Also a permanent coaching officer at our big Gaelic schools would be a good option. Newry, Downpatrick and Castlewellan biggest catchment of players from clubs.

[snoopdog]

We thought we had a great minor team last year and against fermanagh they looked like they were holding back. Werent allowed to do what comes naturally. Just play football and sure if that takes us nowhere at least it's better than trying to play defensively and still get hammered.

[wobbller]

  Paddy Tally having a good rant about where Down are going wrong.Nothing to do with him of course.

[Smurfy123]

Yes wobbler not a great interview
Blaming the players for not committing
As the famous Kilcoo player said why go to the county when the club training is better
The question has to be asked
Have Down improved any under tally?