Down Club Hurling & Football

[LosDodgers]

I would be amazed if O'Hare is still No.1 by end of the league.

It's not really his fault, he is being asked to play a game he isn't comfortable with.

So you have 2 choices:

1 - just play a traditional keeper IF they are an exceptional keeper in terms of shot stopping, kick outs, high balls etc.

2 - play a roaming keeper who adds to the attack.

Since I don't think O'Hare is untouchable in terms of traditional goalkeeping (he struggles under high ball for example). Better better with Niall Kane in that aspect.  I think we will go with No.2 and could we'll see an outfield player take over - they out Magill in there for last few mins but would want that to be the solution but  would someone like Caolan Mooney fit this role?

[Splash]

For the first league game of the year, against a team that came down from Div 1 last year it wasn't the worst.

Lots to work on, but most people you spoke to thought Roscommon would run riot.

Could have very easily come back up the road with the points. Sickening to let a lead slip but it is what it is.

Down were well fit to live with Roscommon for most of the game. I remember sitting in Newry a few years ago when Roscommon gave Down an awful hiding. Still a long way to go yet, but you can't tell me that Down haven't improved since then.

General consensus is that's the toughest opponent out of the way. There'll be no easy games this year but I think Down have shown they'll be able to stand their ground.

Can't blame O'Hare. Only doing what he was told I'm sure. There were alot of other things that goal went in. Why were Down turned over? Why were the Roscommon forwards not being tighter marked? Leaving an empty net like that is never a pretty sight, but O'Hare didn't actually do anything wrong that lead to the goal. Yes he was up the field, but I'd be fairly confident that any keeper would have been.

Down need a couple more scoring forwards.

It's early days yet. Give them a chance.

[Ed Hardy]

Is Donal Scullion or Jack McCartan involved with the county this year?

[utb]

What's going on in Mayobridge? Saw the post the club put up on Twitter.

[LosDodgers]

Would not surprise me to see Roscommon in an All Ireland Semi Final - think they will be strongest team in D2 by a comfortable distance! The fact we went 7 points up shows there are a lot of positives for Down.

2 very winnable games coming up in Newry against Cork and Meath - these games will give us a better understanding about where we are at!

[snoopdog]

O hare save a penalty, roscommon got through the Down defence very easily a few times, twice in 1st half forn2 goals and then in 2nd when the frame of the goal was rattled. 

[ardtole]

There were positives to take from the game, I thought McEvoy and Havern did well and Rooney when he came on. One cause of concern would be how few goal opportunities Down created.

When the new rules came out, I thought they would suit someone like Rory Mason who would be a threat from the 2 point range.It will be interesting to see what changes are made for the Cork game.

[snoopdog]

Have the Johnsons not joined up with Down panel yet this year??

[ardtole]

I heard on Sunday that Sheelin is travelling.

[ClubScene13]

Roscommon are very good, they were decent last year in upsetting Tyrone in Healy Park and the new rules will suit Enda Smith, the Murtaghs, Daire Cregg. Down can take positives from that game if they can find their feet in the remaining games

[Mourne Red]

Gallagher in at Kilcoo?.. Murmurs off it in Belleek today

[Square Ball]

Gallagher in at Kilcoo?.. Murmurs off it in Belleek today

That's some call to make, be interesting to see if true.

[Square Ball]

Gallagher in at Kilcoo?.. Murmurs off it in Belleek today

That's some call to make, be interesting to see if true.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/northern-ireland/gaelic-games

[Splash]

Hurlers away to Derry this week. On paper, Down should be comfortable, but I think it could be a very tricky day.

Down did well to finish strongly and put Kildare away. If they are able to finish games the way they did last week, they'll do alright. But they went for long periods without registering a score. That will need to change. Derry edged out Tyrone, but I'm fully expecting them to put it up to Down. If I was Derry, I'd very much be targeting Down more than Kildare or Kerry for a shock win.

Last time Down hosted Derry in Ballycran, Down were lucky really to come away with the draw. Down are better now than they were that day, but Derry aren't a million miles behind.

Probably worth mentioning Derry's Slaughtneil contingent that came back from the dead against Portaferry. They'll not have McGuigan or Rogers, but there's no shortage of top hurlers in Cassidy, O'Doherty, etc. Obviously club success doesn't automatically mean county success, but it's worth noting.

Down should be looking to keep the momentum going, and will hopefully come away with the win, but there's a big target on their back and this will not be an easy game.

Hopefully they keep the good form up.

[Goals_Will_Come]

Rory Gallagher going in with Lacey at Kilcoo

Lacey got the bullet from Kilcoo

Wheels in motion