Down Club Hurling & Football

[Sheedy]

Disappointing day, match was there for the winning but we just didn't get enough of a lead at half time with the wind at our backs, a couple of goal chances missed and a poor finish to the half when Louth got 3 points to cut the lead to 3.

The second half was always going to be tough against the wind, Louth got a fortunate goal but Down still had chances to get a draw at least.

Down always seemed to be struggling to get any sort of dominance even when leading in the first half we never seemed in control.

In this division it's small margins that can get you the 2 points, we need to find a way of winning away from home in a tight matches, starting next week.

[Sandstorm]

So we get beat by 1 point and statto starts that rubbish. What a supporter. God help Down.

[LosDodgers]

Game definitely seemed there for the taking today. We have been competitive in all 4 games and it's imperative we stay at this level so next weeks game vs Cavan is absolutely huge. Will probably be our biggest game of the season!

The way the games where going today it looked as if we where going to need a 9/10 point lead at HT. However in a strange way only being 2 up meant we knew we had to come out and go for it in 2nd half rather than try and defend a big lead. Showed good fight in the end but too many missed chances.

We are not far away...but just don't seem there yet!

[johnnycool]

Hurlers away to Meath this weekend in a top of the table clash.

Very important Down don't take their foot off now. They are in very good form, and need to keep it up. Down and Meath are the only undefeated teams left in the league- and it could be a tricky game for Down.

On paper, Down are favourites. Meath looked in danger against both Donegal and Down in their opening games, and whilst Down didn't shoot the lights out in the last round, they always looked comfortable.

But, things are never that simple. Meath won't fear Down. It is not that long ago they were a bogey team for Down, and beat Down well in the 2019 Christy Ring Final.

However, things have changed since then. Down have managed to retain Division 2 and Joe McDonagh status at the expensive of Meath in recent years.

Down certainly seem to be going well at the moment. Meath are more than capable of making an upset, but hopefully Down are able to tackle this challenge in a similar way they did with Donegal, Derry, and Kildare.

Best of luck also to the minors and the u20s who are both away to Derry this weekend.

Game cancelled with Down already in Trim.. refixed game will probably be the 16th which will mean no break at all in March with the Kerry game the week before that.

Tyrone up next in Ballycran.

Donegal hurlers beating Kerry has done Down a big favour as Kerry are now out of the reckoning but need to win your own games anyway.

[Splash]

It is a pity the game was cancelled, but it is what it is. Despite not playing, Down are still well clear at the top of Division 2, with the most points, best scoring difference, and head-to-head over second placed Kildare.

What a result for Donegal. Amazing for them. The work that seems to be going on is very admirable.

Looking forward now to the novel pairing of Down v Tyrone. Despite being yet to record a win in the league, Tyrone have been impressive. They'll not lie down.


Unfortunate for the footballers. It's frustrating as there hasn't been a single game where they seemed out of their depth. Relegation will not do them any good at all, and hopefully victory in next few rounds will ensure Division 2 football next year. 

It is only a few weeks ago it looked like Down could potentially make it back to back promotions. Things have improved a lot in the past couple of years.

[Ed Hardy]

Any word on Ryan Johnson this year? Is he out injured?

[Blackandblue2]

Ryan and Sheelan travelling this year I think

[Truth hurts]

Can the Cavan game be viewed on TV or streaming anywhere on Saturday?

[No1]

Does anyone know when the juvenile football leagues are due to start?  Is it correct that the new rules will be in use at under 14 level?

[thewobbler]

Does anyone know when the juvenile football leagues are due to start?  Is it correct that the new rules will be in use at under 14 level?

The past 4-5 years it has got underway the week of clocks going forward, so I'd expect a full run of games from 30 March.

Re rules, there was some correspondence about this early Jan and if I'm remembering it right, u16 will be same as senior football, and u14 will be almost the same, but some rules will need adapted to allow for 2-touch. I'd guess CCC won't publish anything definitive for rules until the FRC are done f**king around for the season.

[lfdown2]

U12 Football:
Whilst it is not officially required that rules be introduced at u12, we see this age as good opportunity to introduce some of their more basic and manageable principles. It is important that we do not detach our juvenile games completely from what our young players watch their County heroes playing in Pairc Esler or on the TV. We would recommend therefore that the following elements of the new FRC rules be introduced at u12 level in 2025;
• 1 v 1 throw-in
• Solo & Go (at u12 level, the Solo & Go may only be utilised when a player is fouled whilst in possession of the ball (physical fouls only). Solo & Go can only be taken by the player who was initially fouled.
• Dissent – Punishable by a 20m advancement

U14 Football:
We would recommend that the following elements of the new FRC rules be introduced at u14
level in 2025;
• 1 v 1 throw-in
• Solo & Go (full implantation)
• Goalkeeper Rule (full implementation)
• New Scoring System (2 points outside 40m arc)
• Dissent - 50m penalty
• 3 v 3 Structure at 15-a-side
• 2 v 2 Structure at 13-a-side

U14 Kickouts:
We would recommend that the following variation of the FRC Kickout Rule be adopted at u14
Level in both League and Championships moving forward:
• Kickouts may be taken from the ground or out of the hands, from the 21m line.
• Players on both teams can position themselves anywhere on the field of play but must remain at least 13m from the player hitting the kickout.
• Any player on the team taking the kickout, wanting to gain possession of the ball directly from the kickout, must be outside the 40m arc, when the ball is kicked (players may move into the arc to gain possession of the ball once the ball is kicked).
• Players from the opposing team may position themselves inside the 40m arc and win possession of the ball.
• Where a team nominate an outfield player to hit the kickout, the player wearing the Goalkeeper jersey must remain inside the small rectangle. This player cannot receive the ball.

U16 & U18 Football:
We would recommend that the following elements of the new FRC rules be introduced at u16
& U18 level in 2025;
• Full Engagement with all aspects of the new FRC Rules
• 3 v 3 Structure at 15-a-side
• 2 v 2 Structure at 13-a-side
Ulster Schools GAA have confirmed to us that they will NOT be implementing the new FRC rules in any of their competitions across the remainder of the 24/25 academic year. We acknowledge that this may cause slight confusion for players playing club and schools football simultaneously, but it will only be for a small window as most of the Ulster Schools competitions will be concluded by Easter

[clonian]

Does anyone know when the juvenile football leagues are due to start?  Is it correct that the new rules will be in use at under 14 level?

The past 4-5 years it has got underway the week of clocks going forward, so I'd expect a full run of games from 30 March.

Re rules, there was some correspondence about this early Jan and if I'm remembering it right, u16 will be same as senior football, and u14 will be almost the same, but some rules will need adapted to allow for 2-touch. I'd guess CCC won't publish anything definitive for rules until the FRC are done f**king around for the season.

I had heard they were planning to start Monday 14th April for underage football

[No1]

Thanks for the info fellas.  Personally think it's mad introducing any of the new rules from under 16 down but what do I know?!

[skat man]

i think it may actually work out easier to implement the rules at a younger age as the kids haven't had years and years of doing it a different way.

[snoopdog]

I would think it should only be used when they are old enough to be using a full size pitch. Kids pitches aren't marked out.