Down Club Hurling & Football

[ardtole]

If we had to have taken one of our goal chances I think we would have kicked on and won. There has unquestionably been huge improvements over the year but there is huge disappointment losing out on promotion and losing yesterday.

There will be significant pressure and expectation to win promotion next season. Westmeath will probably be our toughest opponents and they will be looking to kick on from a decent All Ireland series performance in a tough group this year.

Most years promotion from div3 will secure a place in that years all ireland series and that will be our immediate goal starting off next year. A favourable draw in the Ulster championship might give us an opportunity to achieve that either and I feel we are definitely closing the gap on the stronger teams in Ulster. But an Ulster final appearance is still probably beyond us realistically.

Highlights of the year for me were, beating Donegal in Newry. Beating Cavan in the Tailtain cup and the atmosphere in general at the home games.

Negatives were our performance v Armagh, nothing went right, the weather was dreadful Armagh got the rub off the green with goals etc.

Losing to Fermanagh which ultimately cost us promotion, and under performing yesterday when a win would have given us a clear sign of progress and a guaranteed slot in next years All Ireland series.

[Sheedy]

Disappointing end to the year yesterday, definite progress made though. Players and management gave us some good days out and there's a pride in the county team again.

On the match itself, same as a couple of others i thought McEvoy and Paddy Brannigan should've been brought in earlier. Meath definitely out muscled us and we struggled winning any ball at midfield, seen a stat saying we won possession 18/27 from our own kick outs which is a poor statistic in modern game. We also struggle to kick points from distance which Meath done well at yesterday.
Next year's main aim has to be getting out of division 3 and playing teams like Meath more regularly.

Hopefully we'll see a lot of the 'new' fans that were there yesterday at the first league game in February.

[Lotto]

I really feel for the players, they put so much into the league and B championship just to come up very short yesterday. The management have a responsibility to keep everyone grounded but yesterday I got the vibe that all they had to do was turn up. There was too much going on in the buildup, have breakfast with the team, join us for a celebration dinner afterwards! Catch a grip on yourselves and stop getting carried away, go play and win the game. They were let down by an inexperienced manager who looked so lost and clueless, he might be a decent coach but he was left looking like a wee boy along the line. His allegiance to Kilcoo cost him again yesterday when the curly finger should have been used. Like Canavan said pre game, the coaching of Jimmy Mc Guinness was evident in the way Down had played on the way to the final but it was boys v men yesterday.

[downtothecore]

Lavery may be inexperienced lotto but he is still our best option I think. He is done well for down considering there been very poor underage been brought through the ranks except for the teams he worked with. I do think though he and the setup would benefit from a new face along side him next year possibly a micky Moran / sean boylan type. What you think? Or wud you ship him out the door now.

[Lotto]

And what difference would either of those make. He is the manager, again he looked lost along the line yesterday and frequently clueless. Not sure what Mc Guinness does on match day but all of his other men don't seem to have much input or influence. I'd have Mc Guinness along the line and just let Laverty be a coach as he hasn't a clue how to be a manager.

[downtothecore]

McGuinness would be nice but is he interested and willing to take the role, I dont think so therefore there is no better options in my opinion other than to enhance and support the current management setup. Are u aware of better available options?

[Minus15]

And what difference would either of those make. He is the manager, again he looked lost along the line yesterday and frequently clueless. Not sure what Mc Guinness does on match day but all of his other men don't seem to have much input or influence. I'd have Mc Guinness along the line and just let Laverty be a coach as he hasn't a clue how to be a manager.

Explain how he looked lost. What did you see that leads you to that conclusion?

[PAULD123]

And what difference would either of those make. He is the manager, again he looked lost along the line yesterday and frequently clueless. Not sure what Mc Guinness does on match day but all of his other men don't seem to have much input or influence. I'd have Mc Guinness along the line and just let Laverty be a coach as he hasn't a clue how to be a manager.

That's pretty harsh. New manager tested at a level that, yes, he admittedly came up short in. But he has made great progress at both age levels. He has made us entertaining again and his team look enthusiastic and united together.

saying he hasn't a clue how to be a manager is an exaggeration, he hasn't so far become a really goo manager but he certainly has managed fairly well, certainly better than we had.

[Johnnysboys]

It has to go down as a poor year - hear me out. We lost out in a reasonably poor division 3 with Cavan being the exception. Had Antrim and Westmeath taken their chances it could've been embarrassing. Then we won an ulster championship game for the first time in ages and follow it up with as bad a performance tactically as I've seen in a long time. I don't want to hear about Armagh being on the road longer etc etc as that means nothing when it's a game between 30 players at the same so called standard.
Then we get a run in the B competition and gather a bit of momentum before blitzing a savage poor Laois in the semis. As someone already mentioned - a good club division 1 team wudve toppled them.. into the final and we leave a 6'2 man on the sideline who is as athletic as we have in the county, is experienced as has played in 2 club all Ireland finals and has great fielding ability - beggars belief.. Shane Annett - another 6'1 athletic player - on the bench.. crazy..
finally - stop this bulls**t about winning two ulster u20 titles. We absolutely stole the first one as Monaghan best player was killed in the lead up to it and this year the team was a dream team that Micky mouse cudve won ulster with. I know they were ambushed at minor level but that was never happening again.
So weigh it up
U20 two years ago - first test against a team - beaten
U20 this year - as above
Senior this year - test v Cavan in league - beat, test v Fermanagh in league - beaten - test v Armagh in championship- embarrassed - test v Meath in Chsmpionship - beaten..

Laverty may well seem to be the best we have at present - but the whole thing needs a shakeup to get the results required to get back competing again where it matters.. enjoyed the amount of games this year but not the quality on view by our own.

[maldini]

Having watched the match twice now I'm not sure how you can conclude that one of the reasons Down lost was that Shane Annett wasn't on for long enough

[snoopdog]

It has to go down as a poor year - hear me out. We lost out in a reasonably poor division 3 with Cavan being the exception. Had Antrim and Westmeath taken their chances it could've been embarrassing. Then we won an ulster championship game for the first time in ages and follow it up with as bad a performance tactically as I've seen in a long time. I don't want to hear about Armagh being on the road longer etc etc as that means nothing when it's a game between 30 players at the same so called standard.
Then we get a run in the B competition and gather a bit of momentum before blitzing a savage poor Laois in the semis. As someone already mentioned - a good club division 1 team wudve toppled them.. into the final and we leave a 6'2 man on the sideline who is as athletic as we have in the county, is experienced as has played in 2 club all Ireland finals and has great fielding ability - beggars belief.. Shane Annett - another 6'1 athletic player - on the bench.. crazy..
finally - stop this bulls**t about winning two ulster u20 titles. We absolutely stole the first one as Monaghan best player was killed in the lead up to it and this year the team was a dream team that Micky mouse cudve won ulster with. I know they were ambushed at minor level but that was never happening again.
So weigh it up
U20 two years ago - first test against a team - beaten
U20 this year - as above
Senior this year - test v Cavan in league - beat, test v Fermanagh in league - beaten - test v Armagh in championship- embarrassed - test v Meath in Chsmpionship - beaten..

Laverty may well seem to be the best we have at present - but the whole thing needs a shakeup to get the results required to get back competing again where it matters.. enjoyed the amount of games this year but not the quality on view by our own.
[/quote

Who said Down qnd Armagh were on the similar level?? Anyone with half a Brain knew thst fame would be a struggle and the possibility of a beating was there.  How many players were given game time this year? How many more county standard are there in the ounty championship for Lavety to unearth.?? Who should be the manager? We would love to know constructive thoughts.

[Cuan12]

I don't know why some on hear are having a go at the manager , most likely have a personal axe to grind, Meath got out of jail, we should have won that final and but for a flukey goal and our inability to convert 3 goal chances we would have a different narrative on here, but that game is done and we need to look forward. The championships will be upon us and hopefully we can find a few more players for the senior squad.
Now we are focusing on the club scene it would great if we could look at our development squads, minor and u20s. We need quality coaches who know what they're doing and aren't just names from glory days or friends from university days.
Derry has shown what can be achieved after a root and branch process has been carried out, Down supporters are being let down badly by the current Down executive , a run in the B championship can't be allowed to paper over the problems.
We need proper systems with accountability for county coaches and juvenile county managers if we are to make further improvement at senior level in the years to come.
I hope the next county chairman can bring about the necessary changes as the present one can't or won't implement the necessary changes required to give Conor Lavery the support he needs and not the inappropriate criticism I have read here and listened to.

[Truth hurts]

I don't know why some on hear are having a go at the manager , most likely have a personal axe to grind, Meath got out of jail, we should have won that final and but for a flukey goal and our inability to convert 3 goal chances we would have a different narrative on here, but that game is done and we need to look forward. The championships will be upon us and hopefully we can find a few more players for the senior squad.
Now we are focusing on the club scene it would great if we could look at our development squads, minor and u20s. We need quality coaches who know what they're doing and aren't just names from glory days or friends from university days.
Derry has shown what can be achieved after a root and branch process has been carried out, Down supporters are being let down badly by the current Down executive , a run in the B championship can't be allowed to paper over the problems.
We need proper systems with accountability for county coaches and juvenile county managers if we are to make further improvement at senior level in the years to come.
I hope the next county chairman can bring about the necessary changes as the present one can't or won't implement the necessary changes required to give Conor Lavery the support he needs and not the inappropriate criticism I have read here and listened to.

How are the county coaches and juvenile county managers not accountable? These are discussed at county board meetings where clubs are informed of what is going on, and each meeting has a delegate who can question the executive.

[imtommygunn]

And what difference would either of those make. He is the manager, again he looked lost along the line yesterday and frequently clueless. Not sure what Mc Guinness does on match day but all of his other men don't seem to have much input or influence. I'd have Mc Guinness along the line and just let Laverty be a coach as he hasn't a clue how to be a manager.

That's pretty harsh. New manager tested at a level that, yes, he admittedly came up short in. But he has made great progress at both age levels. He has made us entertaining again and his team look enthusiastic and united together.

saying he hasn't a clue how to be a manager is an exaggeration, he hasn't so far become a really goo manager but he certainly has managed fairly well, certainly better than we had.

It's nonsense too and obviously a personal gripe. Being honest with you I did not like Laverty as a player as I thought he was constantly looking to dive and get players booked but he is a very good manager and will come good for you if given a bit of time. Meath have had a decent conveyor belt of talent coming through from underage and also the more senior guys have probably played in super 8s etc. Down will come good.

[Cuan12]

Truth hurts, reading your post, your obviously clued into the county coaches and must be well impressed on the progress we are making at juvenile level via the development squads!!!