Down Club Hurling & Football

[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.

[meatsy86]

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.

U14 and above play on full sized pitches by rule.

[Derry Man]

Any word of who's taking Kilcoo?

[snoopdog]

Soul destroying defeat that. 

[thewobbler]

It's an odd thing.

This is the most progress a Down team has made in 15 years. Competitive in every game and unwilling to accept defeat. Likely going down to D3, but not far off D1 standard. I think there's a big championship incoming.

[snoopdog]

It's an odd thing.

This is the most progress a Down team has made in 15 years. Competitive in every game and unwilling to accept defeat. Likely going down to D3, but not far off D1 standard. I think there's a big championship incoming.

I'd disagree. I think we are miles off Div 1 standard. Rl
Relegtion back to div 3 is a major set back. Very competitive in all games but do we lack leaders to get them over tge line? Last 2 games should've seen a result.

[LosDodgers]

I think that's why it's so gutting. If we played these 5 games again next season we could well win 4 or 5 of them! This is our level, but going back to playing Antrim & Wicklow etc is a major major blow.

[Splash]

Hurlers in the last home game of the league tomorrow. Hosting Tyrone in Ballycran.

Im looking forward to this novel pairing.

Tyrone have made some serious progress, but they're bottom of the league whilst Down are on top. Im not expecting Down to walk it, but it is important Down pick up the points.

I haven't seen a team sheet, but the management have 2 options: do they name a normal starting XV and aim to get the best possible score difference in case things go pear shaped in Tralee or Trim, or do they start a team of young or fringe players and give them the chance to get some competitive game time.

Personally, I would like to see players from smaller/junior clubs involved tomorrow. Every club has at least one or two fellas who could be a great addition to the county. Connolly from Castlewellan, McGreevy from Ballela, Malone from Ballyvarley, Beggs from the Point- players like these could develop even further in the county set up, and it would be a good opportunity tomorrow for them to get game time. We need more players to feature from outside the traditional clubs, and not just for the sake of it. We need them for what they can actually bring to the table.

I don't think it'll happen, but it would be great to see.

Tyrone have really kicked on, and they've shown they won't lie down. Always great to see an Ulster team in Ballycran. They haven't quite reached the level of Down or Antrim yet, but they'll be happy with their season.

Would recommend anyone interested to take a look at this match. Hopefully it should show what Down can do.

Kerry did us a favour today beating Meath, meaning we are the only undefeated team in the division. Delighted with how things have been going so far, and hopefully Down can keep the heads down and march closer to Division One.

Also best of luck to the minors tomorrow in the final against Antrim in Ballycastle. It'll be tough but would be great boost if they could get the win.



Sickened for the footballers. As has been said, it's nearly worse because all those games could have been won on another day. Correct me if I'm wrong, but technically, relegation isn't inevitable- although it is out of Downs' hands.

Down have seriously come on in 3 or 4 years. But they still have a long, long way to go it would seem. There's a lot of potential in Down football. How it is utilised is the question.

[snoopdog]

Hurlers in the last home game of the league tomorrow. Hosting Tyrone in Ballycran.

Im looking forward to this novel pairing.

Tyrone have made some serious progress, but they're bottom of the league whilst Down are on top. Im not expecting Down to walk it, but it is important Down pick up the points.

I haven't seen a team sheet, but the management have 2 options: do they name a normal starting XV and aim to get the best possible score difference in case things go pear shaped in Tralee or Trim, or do they start a team of young or fringe players and give them the chance to get some competitive game time.

Personally, I would like to see players from smaller/junior clubs involved tomorrow. Every club has at least one or two fellas who could be a great addition to the county. Connolly from Castlewellan, McGreevy from Ballela, Malone from Ballyvarley, Beggs from the Point- players like these could develop even further in the county set up, and it would be a good opportunity tomorrow for them to get game time. We need more players to feature from outside the traditional clubs, and not just for the sake of it. We need them for what they can actually bring to the table.

I don't think it'll happen, but it would be great to see.

Tyrone have really kicked on, and they've shown they won't lie down. Always great to see an Ulster team in Ballycran. They haven't quite reached the level of Down or Antrim yet, but they'll be happy with their season.

Would recommend anyone interested to take a look at this match. Hopefully it should show what Down can do.

Kerry did us a favour today beating Meath, meaning we are the only undefeated team in the division. Delighted with how things have been going so far, and hopefully Down can keep the heads down and march closer to Division One.

Also best of luck to the minors tomorrow in the final against Antrim in Ballycastle. It'll be tough but would be great boost if they could get the win.



Sickened for the footballers. As has been said, it's nearly worse because all those games could have been won on another day. Correct me if I'm wrong, but technically, relegation isn't inevitable- although it is out of Downs' hands.

Down have seriously come on in 3 or 4 years. But they still have a long, long way to go it would seem. There's a lot of potential in Down football. How it is utilised is the question.

Correct, it's not a cert. But we need Cork to lose they're last 2 games and us to win at least v westmeath. Our head to head with Cork would keep us up. Cork have Louth at home and Cavan away
Not likely.
It's very dissapointing. They've played well I've been to all the games bar last nights and thry never give up. Bud set back though. Down will learn nothing from div 3 bar maybe blooding a fee more players. But who is there in the county that will make the difference. The johsons and liam kerr might jave got us over the line in 1 of those games .  Small margins.
Laverty is getting the most of them just too many small men. Midfield is killing us.
Was anyone there last night. Northern sound said haverns 2 pointer was over.