Down Club Hurling & Football

[PAULD123]

We have a few players that have been our better players in the team for the last five to six years that didn't play yesterday mostly due to injury. Just wondering what people think, Would Caolan Mooney, Niall McParland, Jerome Johnston, Barry O'Hagan improve that team (I've missed a couple haven't I)?

I'm thinking particularly of Mooney. He has probably been our best player for about five years but in a team that could never make the best use of his talents and a team that frankly never really looked enthused to be playing. Laverty has really made this team look like they want to be there and that they believe in the plan. Could we finally get the best value out of Mooney's abilities in this team?

Or do you think we should move forward with the players we have now that have got us this far and not be looking backwards to players pushing into their 30s?

[downtothecore]

I think these players could offer something next year but it depends on these players themselves I.e how much work they do, how fit they are and how much do they really want it. They definitely can offer something if they stick these boxes.

[dingle82]

Great performance from Down, albeit this is the worst Laois team I've ever seen. The players mentioned above were stand out players in a very weak Down team not sure if they would anything this current crop. Its clear the  manager is building a new team around the 3 stand out players from Burren. Meath were very poor again so its Down's to lose. Great competition BTW...

[urbangael]

Great result and you can only beat what's in front of you but Laois were dreadful!  Can't really see any of the players you mentioned getting into the current team with the exception of O'Hagan.  I would have concerns about the lack of physicality though.  However the sheer pace and movement of the smaller guys will trouble any team.  Shout out to Conor Lav and a few of the players (Danny Magill, Daniel Guinness & Ryan McEvoy) who remained along the line well after the final whistle and were happy to sign jerseys and get photos with the kids.  That's what it is all about and yesterday was a great opportunity to do that in a sparsely populated stadium.  The kids were on cloud 9 on the way home.   

[Blackandblue2]

I think a bonus to this year's panel has been the versatility of players and the strength of the panel. Players all playing a part in the panel and boys sticking around all year even with minimal playing time. Mooney, Mc Parland, O Hagan, and Donnelly are good to have within the panel for experience. Some games will suit/need players of different sorts. If that panel could stay together and add a few of the 20 stars, we could challenge for something in the next couple of years.

[thewobbler]

We have a few players that have been our better players in the team for the last five to six years that didn't play yesterday mostly due to injury. Just wondering what people think, Would Caolan Mooney, Niall McParland, Jerome Johnston, Barry O'Hagan improve that team (I've missed a couple haven't I)?

I'm thinking particularly of Mooney. He has probably been our best player for about five years but in a team that could never make the best use of his talents and a team that frankly never really looked enthused to be playing. Laverty has really made this team look like they want to be there and that they believe in the plan. Could we finally get the best value out of Mooney's abilities in this team?

Or do you think we should move forward with the players we have now that have got us this far and not be looking backwards to players pushing into their 30s?

Mooney was Down's best player in five minute bursts here and there.

As illuminating and electrifying as those bursts were, he was nowhere close to being Down's best player in any year he played for the county.

[PAULD123]

Mooney was Down's best player in five minute bursts here and there.

As illuminating and electrifying as those bursts were, he was nowhere close to being Down's best player in any year he played for the county.

Well, that's a fair comment about Mooney. He was always like that, even as far back as St Colman's. There was a lot of time you wouldn't even know he was on the pitch, then suddenly he'd score a goal and a few points in five minutes. But that could be the winning of the game.

Now I get what you are saying, but his five minute performances were often something that no one else could do. As you say he was the best player for five minute bursts but at least when those bursts came along they were the best minutes anyone on the team played.

So could Laverty perhaps get work rate out of him and increase those bursts? Even perhaps an impact sub?

If it's just workrate that's the problem and not talent then it would be pity to through the baby out with the bathwater, no?

[Targetman]

He'd be a good man to organise a session when the Grand National comes around! Time to move on

[Lotto]

Jimmy still winning matches 

[Square Ball]

Great win for us tonight against Clonduff, mind you was very nervy at the end but we got there.

[Truth hurts]

Great win for us tonight against Clonduff, mind you was very nervy at the end but we got there.

Great result for you

Some strange results last night

[statto]

The annual Kilcoo Burren boxing match not take place last night? Laverty must be doing some job alright!

[Truth hurts]

The annual Kilcoo Burren boxing match not take place last night? Laverty must be doing some job alright!

Both teams were short. Kilcoo, as usual, had too much for them.

[Too many steps]

The annual Kilcoo Burren boxing match not take place last night? Laverty must be doing some job alright!

At least 3 video cameras pointed at the game might have contributed to the lack of boxing as well.

[Laoiseabu]

Would Burren in the coming years have a team that will be capable of challenging Kilcoo ? Looking through the Down Senior and U20 panels there seems to be a decent contingent of Burren representatives