Down Club Hurling & Football

[Brick Tamlin]

Very quiet in here recently.
Any thoughts on Round 1 games across the divisions.
Definitely a few results ye wouldnt expect, or is it just early doors yet and the bigger teams taking a bit of time to get goin??
Downpatrick goin to Longstone and taking pts was a shock id have thought.
Saval taking Mayobridge isnt as much a shock, they were bound to have taken them saying they have played so often over the last 5 years. Burren playing well within themselves and still leaving Kilcoo with an impressive win was the best start their new manager could have wished for. Clonduff losing heavily to Wpt another shock of sorts.

Any players out there that the county could be adding to their ranks to strengthen the squad or is the squad more or less finalised for the Derry game??

[southdown]

Longstone are missing an awful lot of key men this year, mainly due to lads working away.  Downpatrick's win not really a surprise.

[Brick Tamlin]

i hear ye, but im sure this problem is affecting all clubs throughout the country.
It seems the rural clubs have been hit hardest perhaps.

[DownFanatic]

Although emigration has been happening for the past five years or so, I think it is now that it is really starting to hit home. Longstone being a prime example.
A lot of teams are operating on reduced squad sizes and this has a knock on effect on numbers at training etc.
Also, in East Down a lot of clubs have disbanded their Reserve teams. Ardglass, Bright, Kilclief, Dromara, Fin and St Pauls no longer have 2nds.

[ardtole]

ardglass hit very hard with emmigration. I heard recently there are14 lads in oz  who have played for our senior team. Its tough for a relatively small club to stay as competitive with such a high loss.

[southdown]

The Stone were doing in OK in terms of boys away for a few years compared to the likes of An Riocht etc.  But an awful lot of lads are in London and other places working.  Small clubs will definitely be hit hard as every man counts.

[5 Sams]

Harps are not as badly hit by emigration as other clubs but we still have 4 or 5 1st choice players away....it's the fcukin injuries that are crucifying us....I think we're jinxed.

[Down Follower]

The Stone were doing in OK in terms of boys away for a few years compared to the likes of An Riocht etc.  But an awful lot of lads are in London and other places working.  Small clubs will definitely be hit hard as every man counts.

Yes it seems to be hitting every club, e.g. at first glance it doesnt seem that Rostrevor have been too badly hit but a quick look into it reveals that they are missing some serious talent.

Eamon McConville/Colm Murney/Gary Magee - All in England - all played in Downs All Ireland Minor team of 2005, 25-26 years of age now - would be just in their prime.
Caolan Mooney - AFL - 20/21 now and probably would be flying.
Conor Mackin/Miceal Mackin - Australia - Were good options for the reds when they were playing - Conor 25, Miceal 21/22.

There are a good few other players too who could well have been playing if they had been about. It seems though it has been a gradual movement rather than one big clearout and therefore you dont realise it until you sit back and think.

[SHEEDY]

ballyholland beat annaclone 2-8 to 2-4 tonight in div1.

[dundroma]

Dundrum: 0-7
Carryduff: 0-8

Carryduff scored a point near the end to win it

[general]

Glenn 1.15
Kilclief 0.06

[wildrover]

Kilcoo 1.08 1.09 Castlewellan

Poor enough quality football from both teams in a niggly and at times cynical contest. Castlewellan showed a bit of bottle coming back from 4 pts down at half-time. Think there is a fair bit of improvement in both teams and both teams will be hoping that this is not their only meeting this year.

[Gaa for life]

Disgraceful scenes 2day in the ACPRL between castlewellan and kilcoo. A mass brawl of around 70people involving players subs managers and supporters. Would be interesting to see the referees report

[The Raven]

Disgraceful scenes 2day in the ACPRL between castlewellan and kilcoo. A mass brawl of around 70people involving players subs managers and supporters. Would be interesting to see the referees report

Tell us more, hard to beat a good row

[ranch]

Any junior league results from this weekend?