Down Club Hurling & Football

[downtothecore]

Laverty has the job for as long as he wants it.
Down are competitive. No question about that. Our mistakes and bad shot selections cost us today and last week.
Great to see Newry buzzing again with Down in a big game.
Yes div 3 is a set back but had anyone said at start of year win 3 league games and get to knock out championship it would've been noted as a good year for Down.
Down have come on so much from Fermanagh game. And our competitivness against Donegal and Galway were a diff level. Find a couple of defenders for next year We are defo on the right track. Hopefully no one else decides to take a year out anytime soon. Or cries off for not getting game time. It's a squad game. Look at Armagh.
The anti laverty/Kilcoo brigade in the county will continue to slam the team but conor will hopefully be at the helm for a very longtime yet. Onwards and upwards. We should be walking div 3 next year. 

Good summary and It's great to see us competitive as we have not been for sometime. The interest in the team is there and it will help the process somewhat of getting the rest of our underage groups competitive.

[PAULD123]

Momentum is so important. Yes we have finished the season back in Division 3 and out of the championship. But look at the support, look at the belief that's come from the players. Playing for down was not a particularly attractive proposition a couple of years ago. Even though we're in Division 3 next year people will want to play for this team. People will work hard to keep their places, people will work hard to get those places off them. Players that weren't interested before will be more interested now.

All of that means an even better team next year. Probably more positivity and probably more likelihood of the above happening again. If this progress can keep going then it ramps up year after year, more belief, more players, more work, more experience, better performances, better results.

McGeeney took nearly a decade to transform largely the same group of players into all Ireland champions. Many of those players were the young Rising Stars just coming out of Minors into the senior squad when he took over.

Yes we came up short against all the really good teams we've played this year. But I hate that dismissive tone. Because without a doubt we have been much better this year against those teams than before. We have got closer, and with momentum we will get closer again.

[AnDúnAbú94]

Feel a mixture of pride and disappointment after today. Thought they played brilliantly, worked so hard but feel we might have left that one behind us.

Anyone still criticising Laverty clearly has issues with him (and Kilcoo) that bear no relation to anything that happens on the pitch. Down have gotten better every year he's been in the job. Even this year, the team has nearly gotten better with every game. Compare how they played today to the first game of the league or even the Fermanagh game, it's a big improvement.

Murdock is a colossus. Went toe to toe with Maher who was nominated for FOTY last year and got the better of him. He's been the best midfielder in the country this year imo, probably won't win an all star but he'll get one soon.

I also see Mooney is retiring. Was our best player for a good few years. A great servant who came back from awful injuries and that rotten assault, thought he made a real difference off the bench today too.

[snoopdog]

Feel a mixture of pride and disappointment after today. Thought they played brilliantly, worked so hard but feel we might have left that one behind us.

Anyone still criticising Laverty clearly has issues with him (and Kilcoo) that bear no relation to anything that happens on the pitch. Down have gotten better every year he's been in the job. Even this year, the team has nearly gotten better with every game. Compare how they played today to the first game of the league or even the Fermanagh game, it's a big improvement.

Murdock is a colossus. Went toe to toe with Maher who was nominated for FOTY last year and got the better of him. He's been the best midfielder in the country this year imo, probably won't win an all star but he'll get one soon.

I also see Mooney is retiring. Was our best player for a good few years. A great servant who came back from awful injuries and that rotten assault, thought he made a real difference off the bench today too.

A fully fit Mooney would've been some asset for Laverty. He came on yesterday and made an impact. A fabulous footballer who through injury we never saw the best of.him in a Down jersey.

[ardtole]

For the 1st 5 league games, the ridiculous 12 v 11 rule was in place, and we had no suitable keeper to take advantage of it. It's no coincidence when the rule was amended we won our final two games.

[PAULD123]

Who could come in to strengthen the squad next year? I'm not opposed to bringing back a limited few previous players It would be good to see a committed Liam Kerr and Shealan Johnstone, and maybe I wouldn't mind seeing Ryan Johnstone back (not maybe for full games but perhaps as a controlling influence to help us close games out).

But I was wondering what do people who see more club games, and know the underage setup, think about who could improve the squad, or push into the match day team from the current squad? The obvious one is Finn Murdock from Rostrevor getting game time. But just wondering who might supplement the current team?

[urbangael]

At the risk of disappointing Urbangael, we are not demoted to the Tailteann just yet. If we make an Ulster decider next year, we will be back in the All Ireland series with the other seven provincial finalists. Even if we don't, we have a real prospect of qualifying via the NFL. Kildare will be big favourites to win this year's Tailteann and go through to the AI in 2026. The Munster championship is reportedly going to be seeded, meaning a likely Kerry/Cork final, with lower division sides like Clare and Limerick probably eliminated. All that means that the D3 winners can go through ahead of the the bottom two in D2, unless the rules get changed. Galway have been in two of the last three AI finals, and the idea that they are not serious title contenders is as ludicrous as the suggestion that this has been an unsuccessful season for Down. This team has put the pride back in Down football and we are not finished yet.

I wouldn't be disappointed in we are back competing for Sam next year. Galway missing their keeper and Comer. Walsh not fully fit and still had huge influence. I just think we come unstuck against top 10 teams... top 5 teams would wipe us out. Great to see the buzz back in Newry but playing the Sligos and wexfords etc would dampen enthusiasm unfortunately. Hopefully the squad sticks together add few new faces and kick on to the next level.

[MK]

For the 1st 5 league games, the ridiculous 12 v 11 rule was in place, and we had no suitable keeper to take advantage of it. It's no coincidence when the rule was amended we won our final two games.

actually more of a coincidence that the final 2 league games were against  already promoted and relegated teams.
Down were relegated due to failing to deal with a physically dominant Meath side in Newry and/or the narrow loss in  Drogheda.

[ardtole]

At the risk of disappointing Urbangael, we are not demoted to the Tailteann just yet. If we make an Ulster decider next year, we will be back in the All Ireland series with the other seven provincial finalists. Even if we don't, we have a real prospect of qualifying via the NFL. Kildare will be big favourites to win this year's Tailteann and go through to the AI in 2026. The Munster championship is reportedly going to be seeded, meaning a likely Kerry/Cork final, with lower division sides like Clare and Limerick probably eliminated. All that means that the D3 winners can go through ahead of the the bottom two in D2, unless the rules get changed. Galway have been in two of the last three AI finals, and the idea that they are not serious title contenders is as ludicrous as the suggestion that this has been an unsuccessful season for Down. This team has put the pride back in Down football and we are not finished yet.

I wouldn't be disappointed in we are back competing for Sam next year. Galway missing their keeper and Comer. Walsh not fully fit and still had huge influence. I just think we come unstuck against top 10 teams... top 5 teams would wipe us out. Great to see the buzz back in Newry but playing the Sligos and wexfords etc would dampen enthusiasm unfortunately. Hopefully the squad sticks together add few new faces and kick on to the next level.

Galway were not missing their keeper, Gleeson was dropped for the Down game and the previous game. His replacement didn't exactly impress but I don't think too many would rate Gleeson as one of the top keepers in the country, little between either of them.

[Ed Hardy]

Who could come in to strengthen the squad next year? I'm not opposed to bringing back a limited few previous players It would be good to see a committed Liam Kerr and Shealan Johnstone, and maybe I wouldn't mind seeing Ryan Johnstone back (not maybe for full games but perhaps as a controlling influence to help us close games out).

But I was wondering what do people who see more club games, and know the underage setup, think about who could improve the squad, or push into the match day team from the current squad? The obvious one is Finn Murdock from Rostrevor getting game time. But just wondering who might supplement Rua

Who could come in to strengthen the squad next year? I'm not opposed to bringing back a limited few previous players It would be good to see a committed Liam Kerr and Shealan Johnstone, and maybe I wouldn't mind seeing Ryan Johnstone back (not maybe for full games but perhaps as a controlling influence to help us close games out).

But I was wondering what do people who see more club games, and know the underage setup, think about who could improve the squad, or push into the match day team from the current squad? The obvious one is Finn Murdock from Rostrevor getting game time. But just wondering who might supplement the current team?

Ruairi O Hare, Owen McCabe and Eamon Brown mightnt be far away if they can stay injury free and willing to commit. Certainly would add strength and size to the squad. Donal Scullion and Oisin Savage should both benefit from another years county training and hopefully be physically able to deal with intercounty game better. Tom McCarroll from Carryduff maybe worth a look also?

[snoopdog]

For the 1st 5 league games, the ridiculous 12 v 11 rule was in place, and we had no suitable keeper to take advantage of it. It's no coincidence when the rule was amended we won our final two games.

actually more of a coincidence that the final 2 league games were against  already promoted and relegated teams.
Down were relegated due to failing to deal with a physically dominant Meath side in Newry and/or the narrow loss in  Drogheda.

The 2 pointer Havern scored to equalise in Breffni at the death that wasn't given.
Ardtole is right about the ridiculous 12 v 11. Meath used it to brilliant effect against Down even when they had a man black carded the idiotic rule of the team with the man black carded being allowed to only keep 2 back while Down had to keep 3 back led to that defeat. No coincidence Meath lost their last 2 games when they couldn't use the 12 v 11.
Westmeath weren't already relegated when Down beat them. And Monaghan were not 100% guaranteed promotion before thry played Down.
But as a Down fan you would know that, right?

[snoopdog]

At the risk of disappointing Urbangael, we are not demoted to the Tailteann just yet. If we make an Ulster decider next year, we will be back in the All Ireland series with the other seven provincial finalists. Even if we don't, we have a real prospect of qualifying via the NFL. Kildare will be big favourites to win this year's Tailteann and go through to the AI in 2026. The Munster championship is reportedly going to be seeded, meaning a likely Kerry/Cork final, with lower division sides like Clare and Limerick probably eliminated. All that means that the D3 winners can go through ahead of the the bottom two in D2, unless the rules get changed. Galway have been in two of the last three AI finals, and the idea that they are not serious title contenders is as ludicrous as the suggestion that this has been an unsuccessful season for Down. This team has put the pride back in Down football and we are not finished yet.

I wouldn't be disappointed in we are back competing for Sam next year. Galway missing their keeper and Comer. Walsh not fully fit and still had huge influence. I just think we come unstuck against top 10 teams... top 5 teams would wipe us out. Great to see the buzz back in Newry but playing the Sligos and wexfords etc would dampen enthusiasm unfortunately. Hopefully the squad sticks together add few new faces and kick on to the next level.

Are Galway not top 5?? I'd like to hear the 5 ahead of them.

[PAULD123]

[/quote]
Are Galway not top 5?? I'd like to hear the 5 ahead of them.
[/quote]

Brilliant comment 😆

[ONARAGGATIP]

Caolan Mooney has announced his retirement.

[Dayman]

Daniel Guinness I would include among them 4 lads too. He's having a fantastic season. I'd like to see Eugene Brannigan start tomorrow too, I think he is effective bringing the ball from defence into our attacking half.

Totally agree on Guinness, he's been incredible this season and was immense Sunday. Not sold on Brannigan at all though, and he had a shocking second half. I think he tried to hit a point on the outside of his right boot from the left hand side? Given his interview a couple years back he must have some self belief is all I'll say. Shame that Burns had a poor day on kickouts after being so good all year, maybe a bit rattled after the Monaghan game? He's very young so hopefully he can kick on even more next year because we'll need him.

I hope everyone sticks with the squad because there's been a clear improvement year on year the last 3 years, even if on the surface it might not seem like it having been relegated. Looking back at the few years previous to Laverty's time we were on the end of some major stuffings and this year we've been competitive in every game, there is real progress and I don't see how anyone that goes to games could think otherwise. Hopefully a couple more players and a bit more experience will make a difference.

Next year priority 1 has to be topping Division 3, as mentioned before that could be enough to be playing All Ireland football next year.