Down Club Hurling & Football

[clonian]

Ladies game nights were changed this year, with Mondays and Wednesdays now having both male and female matches needing referees.

The Saturday evening for ladies football is no more, with that slot being criminally underutilised.

The motivation for change seemed to be largely around accommodation of clubs that offered camogie, but did little to consider clubs with one pitch. A series of mad proposals which got voted through.

It was fine the way it was.

Ladies footballers generally seem happier to play on Thursday nights as opposed to Saturdays. Given the age profiles of many ladies teams, that is understandable. Maybe one of the juvenile leagues could use that slot instead. Though there will be times that it clashes with other sports played by many underage players. In terms of making fixtures there isn't a huge amount that can be done. It is simply down to a lack of referees.

Down LGFA and Down Camogie got together over the winter and devised a fixture schedule which was devised to allow girls to play both codes and not be pulled from pillar to post, this is a knock on effect.

What do you mean by the knock on effect?

LGFA out the same night as juvenile football stretching the referees pool.

I'm not so sure it was "fine the way it was" previously either. There were more and more clashes between LGFA and camogie than enough throughout the year over fixtures.

The LGFA and camogs working around each other is a good thing - it was overdue. It just needs an overall controller now over the 4 codes for fixtures clashes etc. Teams with one field do get overlooked in the fixture lists.

I think the Europa league final might of had a bigger effect on refs available on Wednesday night than people want to admit

[Truth hurts]

Ladies game nights were changed this year, with Mondays and Wednesdays now having both male and female matches needing referees.

The Saturday evening for ladies football is no more, with that slot being criminally underutilised.

The motivation for change seemed to be largely around accommodation of clubs that offered camogie, but did little to consider clubs with one pitch. A series of mad proposals which got voted through.

It was fine the way it was.

Ladies footballers generally seem happier to play on Thursday nights as opposed to Saturdays. Given the age profiles of many ladies teams, that is understandable. Maybe one of the juvenile leagues could use that slot instead. Though there will be times that it clashes with other sports played by many underage players. In terms of making fixtures there isn't a huge amount that can be done. It is simply down to a lack of referees.

Down LGFA and Down Camogie got together over the winter and devised a fixture schedule which was devised to allow girls to play both codes and not be pulled from pillar to post, this is a knock on effect.

What do you mean by the knock on effect?

LGFA out the same night as juvenile football stretching the referees pool.

I'm not so sure it was "fine the way it was" previously either. There were more and more clashes between LGFA and camogie than enough throughout the year over fixtures.

The LGFA and camogs working around each other is a good thing - it was overdue. It just needs an overall controller now over the 4 codes for fixtures clashes etc. Teams with one field do get overlooked in the fixture lists.

I think the Europa league final might of had a bigger effect on refs available on Wednesday night than people want to admit

Is the Down County Board not the overall controller?

[clonian]

Ladies game nights were changed this year, with Mondays and Wednesdays now having both male and female matches needing referees.

The Saturday evening for ladies football is no more, with that slot being criminally underutilised.

The motivation for change seemed to be largely around accommodation of clubs that offered camogie, but did little to consider clubs with one pitch. A series of mad proposals which got voted through.

It was fine the way it was.

Ladies footballers generally seem happier to play on Thursday nights as opposed to Saturdays. Given the age profiles of many ladies teams, that is understandable. Maybe one of the juvenile leagues could use that slot instead. Though there will be times that it clashes with other sports played by many underage players. In terms of making fixtures there isn't a huge amount that can be done. It is simply down to a lack of referees.

Down LGFA and Down Camogie got together over the winter and devised a fixture schedule which was devised to allow girls to play both codes and not be pulled from pillar to post, this is a knock on effect.

What do you mean by the knock on effect?

LGFA out the same night as juvenile football stretching the referees pool.

I'm not so sure it was "fine the way it was" previously either. There were more and more clashes between LGFA and camogie than enough throughout the year over fixtures.

The LGFA and camogs working around each other is a good thing - it was overdue. It just needs an overall controller now over the 4 codes for fixtures clashes etc. Teams with one field do get overlooked in the fixture lists.

I think the Europa league final might of had a bigger effect on refs available on Wednesday night than people want to admit

Is the Down County Board not the overall controller?

Not in the sense that someone is checking for fixture clashes etc. It's similar with the hurling and football too

[lfdown2]

Are the stand tickets sold out for next Saturday's game? Or am I not using the Ticketmaster site correctly....

Sold out - I would imagine the proximity to Louth has a big bearing on that!

[johnnycool]

Ladies game nights were changed this year, with Mondays and Wednesdays now having both male and female matches needing referees.

The Saturday evening for ladies football is no more, with that slot being criminally underutilised.

The motivation for change seemed to be largely around accommodation of clubs that offered camogie, but did little to consider clubs with one pitch. A series of mad proposals which got voted through.

It was fine the way it was.

Ladies footballers generally seem happier to play on Thursday nights as opposed to Saturdays. Given the age profiles of many ladies teams, that is understandable. Maybe one of the juvenile leagues could use that slot instead. Though there will be times that it clashes with other sports played by many underage players. In terms of making fixtures there isn't a huge amount that can be done. It is simply down to a lack of referees.

Down LGFA and Down Camogie got together over the winter and devised a fixture schedule which was devised to allow girls to play both codes and not be pulled from pillar to post, this is a knock on effect.

What do you mean by the knock on effect?

LGFA out the same night as juvenile football stretching the referees pool.

I'm not so sure it was "fine the way it was" previously either. There were more and more clashes between LGFA and camogie than enough throughout the year over fixtures.

The LGFA and camogs working around each other is a good thing - it was overdue. It just needs an overall controller now over the 4 codes for fixtures clashes etc. Teams with one field do get overlooked in the fixture lists.

I think the Europa league final might of had a bigger effect on refs available on Wednesday night than people want to admit

Is the Down County Board not the overall controller?

Not in the sense that someone is checking for fixture clashes etc. It's similar with the hurling and football too

The hurling and football fixtures are set by the master fixtures calendar shared with the clubs prior to the leagues kicking off.

[clonian]

The LGFA and camogs working around each other is a good thing - it was overdue. It just needs an overall controller now over the 4 codes for fixtures clashes etc. Teams with one field do get overlooked in the fixture lists.

I think the Europa league final might of had a bigger effect on refs available on Wednesday night than people want to admit
[/quote]

Is the Down County Board not the overall controller?
[/quote]

Not in the sense that someone is checking for fixture clashes etc. It's similar with the hurling and football too
[/quote]

The hurling and football fixtures are set by the master fixtures calendar shared with the clubs prior to the leagues kicking off.


[/quote]

I meant more around championship fixtures at the end of the year. We've had clashes there especially when you've got dual lads playing for 2 different clubs.

[Hard2Listen2]

Is the Down County Board not the overall controller?

Down GAA (county board) have no control or input over the fixtures of the LGFA or Camogie Association.

They are totally separate bodies & separate sporting organisations.

They also do not oversee the IFA or Ulster Rugby fixtures to ensure there are no clashes! 😁

Integration is apparently on the way but I'd imagine there are a lot of hurdles to be overcome with this first.

[Minus15]

Way too much effort made to accommodate players playing multiple codes.
They're different sports. If at some point players need to choose, so be it.

[Splash]

Why deny players the opportunity to play both codes?

Every step should be taken to not only accommodate players playing both codes, but to promote it. There's enough days in the year to avoid clashes, whatever way you look at it.

[Splash]

Last outing of the year for the hurlers today. Away to Kildare.

They beat Kildare in the league, and then again in the league final, but since then they have been on two very different trajectories, with Down shipping some heavy losses, getting their first win of the competition against Kerry last week, whilst Kildare have put themselves in a good position to make a final. They have beaten both 'big' teams, Carlow and Laois, with their only loss coming against, ironically, Kerry.

These teams know each other inside out by now, and it could go either way, but hopefully Down manage to get the win and retain their Joe McDonagh status.

A Westmeath win over Kerry will go a long way to helping Down, too.

[ONARAGGATIP]

The LGFA and camogs working around each other is a good thing - it was overdue. It just needs an overall controller now over the 4 codes for fixtures clashes etc. Teams with one field do get overlooked in the fixture lists.

I think the Europa league final might of had a bigger effect on refs available on Wednesday night than people want to admit

Is the Down County Board not the overall controller?
[/quote]

Not in the sense that someone is checking for fixture clashes etc. It's similar with the hurling and football too
[/quote]

The hurling and football fixtures are set by the master fixtures calendar shared with the clubs prior to the leagues kicking off.


[/quote]

I meant more around championship fixtures at the end of the year. We've had clashes there especially when you've got dual lads playing for 2 different clubs.
[/quote]

Why deny players the opportunity to play both codes?

Every step should be taken to not only accommodate players playing both codes, but to promote it. There's enough days in the year to avoid clashes, whatever way you look at it.

How many female refs are there? If they want all these games let them referree it themselves. This modern culture of ladies football is now impacting on the sport as a whole. If it's a separate organisation etc let them run it with their own officials.

[Minus15]

Why deny players the opportunity to play both codes?

Every step should be taken to not only accommodate players playing both codes, but to promote it. There's enough days in the year to avoid clashes, whatever way you look at it.

Not saying players should be denied the opportunity. But logistically, there's too much done to accommodate a minority, impacting on the majority.

[Brendan]

The LGFA and camogs working around each other is a good thing - it was overdue. It just needs an overall controller now over the 4 codes for fixtures clashes etc. Teams with one field do get overlooked in the fixture lists.

I think the Europa league final might of had a bigger effect on refs available on Wednesday night than people want to admit

Is the Down County Board not the overall controller?

Not in the sense that someone is checking for fixture clashes etc. It's similar with the hurling and football too
[/quote]

The hurling and football fixtures are set by the master fixtures calendar shared with the clubs prior to the leagues kicking off.


[/quote]

I meant more around championship fixtures at the end of the year. We've had clashes there especially when you've got dual lads playing for 2 different clubs.
[/quote]

Why deny players the opportunity to play both codes?

Every step should be taken to not only accommodate players playing both codes, but to promote it. There's enough days in the year to avoid clashes, whatever way you look at it.

How many female refs are there? If they want all these games let them referree it themselves. This modern culture of ladies football is now impacting on the sport as a whole. If it's a separate organisation etc let them run it with their own officials.
[/quote]

It's up to the person themselves what codes they want to ref surely, just like the odd woman refs mens/boys matches

[ONARAGGATIP]

More female refs would help a dire situation. How many is there in the county? Ciara Gilroy only one I can think off. Some of our refs are getting on a bit and don't have the fitness to get up and down the field. One in particular never moves from the middle. Best eye sight in Ireland.

[Lowintotheforwards]

Why deny players the opportunity to play both codes?

Every step should be taken to not only accommodate players playing both codes, but to promote it. There's enough days in the year to avoid clashes, whatever way you look at it.

Not saying players should be denied the opportunity. But logistically, there's too much done to accommodate a minority, impacting on the majority.

Whether you like it or not, fact is the GAA was founded to promote Gaelic games not just one code.