Down Club Hurling & Football

[Truth hurts]

Is there any word on the county senior job?

[upandwin]

Think Paul Chuckle was approached at the weekend and turned it down, doesn't want to get back in to the county spotlight since his brother Barry passed away.

That leaves Tony the Tiger, Jedward, Poacher/Deegan or Dustin the Turkey favourites for the post. Only problem is none of them played on the 90s teams with exception of Deego.

The fact that it is semi-final stages in SFC and no manager appointed is an absolute farce...now that everyone in the country has known for over 6weeks that there has been a vacancy and we haven't got anyone in place that anyone worth their salt who is approached now will turn it down as they'll think they were an afterthought.

At this rate we'll be lucky to have anyone who has been involved with a county team previously so will have to roll the rice on a relatively unknown quantity and hope for the best...Niall McAleenan, Jody Gormley or DJ from Carryduff could end up in the hot seat the way things are going...sad state of affairs

[lfdown2]

Clonduff looked good on Sunday and I expect them to beat Burren. Burren looked good on Sunday in the first half but Mayobridge will be kicking themselves with some wayward shooting. I think Clonduff forwards will be a lot more clinical and a Kilcoo v Clonduff final will certainly be a tasty affair.
Darragh should now win the intermediate after Liatriom being ousted. Liatroim were riddled with injuries and if they are going to improve in football they will need to choose hurling or football. It's not doing the players any good.
The Fin are strong favourites for the junior and I expect the 3 championships to come to the East in the next few weeks.

No merit in that, none of those you're referencing had anything to do with hurling.

Drumgath were a very well organised outfit and full value for their win.

[Smurfy123]

The Down job has been vacant for over 3 months
Has the be the longest dragged out process for a long time
Men turned them down and then went looking for others who obviously knew they were down the list and said no
The men who now want it seem to be the only candidates but the selection committee are scrambling about for the big name to save face

Still think it will be one from
Laverty
Deegans

[SamFever]

The Down job has been vacant for over 3 months
Has the be the longest dragged out process for a long time
Men turned them down and then went looking for others who obviously knew they were down the list and said no
The men who now want it seem to be the only candidates but the selection committee are scrambling about for the big name to save face

Still think it will be one from
Laverty
Deegans

Please God No to either of them.

[Truth hurts]

It seems  that Laverty will be announced after the club championship ends? It would be an exciting set up. Let him at it.

[knockitdown]

I can't see how Laverty could be appointed as long as he's still playing club football. I know he did this with the u-20s but it's not the same

[Truth hurts]

I can't see how Laverty could be appointed as long as he's still playing club football. I know he did this with the u-20s but it's not the same

I would imagine this will be his final season, the u20s were an exciting team who really gave the county a lift.

[snoopdog]

I would hope Laverty and his management team would be kept with the U20s for another couple of years. They did so well this year it would only benefit the seniors further down the line. If Laverty gets the job it needs to be like McGeeney in Armagh. Given time to work with Players and get back to being a div 1 team.
Down need to be realistic. 

[Square Ball]

Honest question here and I don't know the answer. Do people really think Down have the players to get to division 1 and complete with the big boys.

[Nanderson]

Honest question here and I don't know the answer. Do people really think Down have the players to get to division 1 and complete with the big boys.

No. Could be a top division 2 team and maybe dip our feet in div 1 the odd time. The new crop of u20 fills us with a bit of hope but it can be hard to integrate them into a senior set up without upsetting the balance of the squad plus you are only as strong as the new group of players coming behind you. Dublin especially benefitted from about 5 years of real strong u21 teams coming through the ranks and i can't see Down having that many strong squads come through in succession considering our last great u21 team was 2008-2009

[snoopdog]

Honest question here and I don't know the answer. Do people really think Down have the players to get to division 1 and complete with the big boys.

No. Could be a top division 2 team and maybe dip our feet in div 1 the odd time. The new crop of u20 fills us with a bit of hope but it can be hard to integrate them into a senior set up without upsetting the balance of the squad plus you are only as strong as the new group of players coming behind you. Dublin especially benefitted from about 5 years of real strong u21 teams coming through the ranks and i can't see Down having that many strong squads come through in succession considering our last great u21 team was 2008-2009

This is why I feel Laverty would be better staying with the U20s for another couple of years and then making the transition to senior with that group of players.

[Johnnysboys]

Honest question here and I don't know the answer. Do people really think Down have the players to get to division 1 and complete with the big boys.

No. Could be a top division 2 team and maybe dip our feet in div 1 the odd time. The new crop of u20 fills us with a bit of hope but it can be hard to integrate them into a senior set up without upsetting the balance of the squad plus you are only as strong as the new group of players coming behind you. Dublin especially benefitted from about 5 years of real strong u21 teams coming through the ranks and i can't see Down having that many strong squads come through in succession considering our last great u21 team was 2008-2009

The 08/09 team wouldn't lace the boots of the 05 U21s team..

[manwithnoplan]

Honest question here and I don't know the answer. Do people really think Down have the players to get to division 1 and complete with the big boys.

No. Could be a top division 2 team and maybe dip our feet in div 1 the odd time. The new crop of u20 fills us with a bit of hope but it can be hard to integrate them into a senior set up without upsetting the balance of the squad plus you are only as strong as the new group of players coming behind you. Dublin especially benefitted from about 5 years of real strong u21 teams coming through the ranks and i can't see Down having that many strong squads come through in succession considering our last great u21 team was 2008-2009

The 08/09 team wouldn't lace the boots of the 05 U21s team..

Yes that 05 team was excellent, though I don't think very many players from either side went on to have long or distinguished careers at senior level (if you believe that shows greater quality I don't know). Both very good sides, but both losing All Ireland finals through leaking goals. The late goal in 2009 was a brutal end to a great game.

[Mourne Rover]

From the 05 team, Colgan, Rogers, Laverty, Carr, Mark Poland, McGovern and Clarke all went on play senior championship football. The 09 team produced Turley, Hanna, Fitzpatrick, Murphy, Maginn, O'Reilly, Devlin, McComiskey and Conor Poland who did likewise. Those are excellent returns from underage squads, and both sides were full of quality.