Down Club Hurling & Football

[Point-to-Point]

Nothing between Annaclone and Clann na Banna at all in either game.

Both matches could have gone either way. Both teams in Division 2 next year, and each will be more than capable of holding their own.

Thought Clann na Banna had won it after the second goal. There could definitely well be an Intermediate Championship in them yet.

[Pocs pints and the gaa]

Annaclone pip neighbours Clann Na Banna to make it to the Intermediate final. Bit of controversy will plague the final score of the game as it looked like Annaclone two-pointer to win the game was kicked from inside the arc.

Seen a video and the kicker's foot is at very worst on the line, which is still a 2 pointer.

[knowbetter]

Ballycran Vs Ballygalget will be a very interesting game. Its essentially the young vs the experienced (I was going to say old but calling lads in their mid 30s old seems wrong)

Ballycran still have alot of cracking hurlers but given their recent performances seem to have let the fitness side of the game slip away.

Ballygalget on the other hand have plenty of lads under 25 from what I can tell plus the few more experienced players all on the right side of 30.

My prediction is Ballygalget plus 5. Unless Ballycran have trained loads in the previous weeks to improve fitness.

Either way they'll both cut lumps of each other and it'll be entertaining to watch.

[terrifictommy]

There's no controversy. It's silly people drawing fake lines and then sending that on social media to gullible people who believe it. The line isn't smooth for a start and anyone who knows that pitch will understand - it's impeccable.

We should just appreciate both games for what they were, both teams left it all there, nothing more to give. Scullion is a class act altogether. Best player on the pitch by a long way.

Saval will be favourites no doubt, but these two games will give Clone a real belief now.

[clonian]

Annaclone pip neighbours Clann Na Banna to make it to the Intermediate final. Bit of controversy will plague the final score of the game as it looked like Annaclone two-pointer to win the game was kicked from inside the arc.

Seen a video and the kicker's foot is at very worst on the line, which is still a 2 pointer.

Someone put a photo up on twitter and the line must be edited. Looks like the line was done freehand

Nothing in the 2 games overall and it could've went either way. CnB thought the game should have been over by the time the free was given last night but the same could be said for their score at the end of normal time on Sunday.

[Truth hurts]

Where did the added time come from?

[outinfront]

There was definitely at least 1 substitution during the added on 4mins if I remember correctly.

[Truth hurts]

There was definitely at least 1 substitution during the added on 4mins if I remember correctly.

There was one (30 seconds) the game should have been blown up when Banbridge were in possession of the ball in the 5th minute of injury time. The ref gave Annaclone a chance to equalize but they won a two pointed free which they scored. Clann Na Banna should be outraged as referees are there to apply the correct timekeeping.

[terrifictommy]

I'm not sure your take on this is accurate. First, added time is always announced as a minimum. During a game the ref might have 4mims 45secs of added time - that's counted as minimum of 4mims officially announced. There was also 2 stoppages and a substitution in there. And the free was awarded in 5th minute also. So it's harsh to blame the referee for time control if you aren't wearing his watch. Equally as Clonian said, the same gripe could have been said in first game, but no one used that excuse.

Applaud for what was an enthralling double game instead of whining.

[befair]

Once again, it's the ref's fault

[Splash]

Last round of games before the hurling finals across all grades this weekend.

The intermediate semi finals have thrown up two rather novel pairings. Carryduff will be expected to beat Warrenpoint, and Liatroim should expect to beat Ballela.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Point cause problems for Carryduff. CPN had a very good league campaign, taking some big scalps along the way, and they really seem to be closing the gap with the bottom senior teams. I'd be curious to see what sort of team Carryduff put out with the Senior Football Final coming up. Some of their key players are dual players, and I wonder how the threat of Kilcoo in a football final will have impacted preparations. Carryduff should win, but this game being in the Point, along with everything else, gives CPN more than a fighting chance.

The other semi final is a rare derby between neighbours Liatroim and Ballela. Realistically, Liatroim should have too much across the field for Ballela. There are some very good hurlers in Ballela, but Liatroim are strong across the board. Interestingly, I think the weakest link in the Liatroim machine is probably the full back line, whilst Ballela are strongest in full forward. If Ballela are able to win balls and feed them into the full forwards, they could cause Liatroim problems. The problem will be winning those balls in the first place. Liatorim have plenty of good shooting forwards, of their own, and it's hard to know how Ballela can neutralise them all, but no doubt there will be a plan in place. The moment of the championship for me so far has been Ballela beating Shamrocks. No doubt many thought the junior champions would go straight back down, as we have seen in previous years, but it was refreshing to see them buck the trend. Shamrocks will be back, no doubt, but Ballela were full value for the win, and it would be some story if they found themselves in an intermediate final.

The last round of the junior championship is two dead rubbers. Castlewellan and Kilclief have both already booked their place in the final, and I doubt either will want to show their hand.

The other game between Ballyvarley and East Belfast has no meaning since both teams have lost to both Castlewellan and Kilclief and are unable to reach the final.

East Belfast have had a very tough year. They are yet to win a competitive game between the league and the championship. Division 1 was always going to be a massive struggle for them given the massive step up, and playing two of the most difficult games first in the championship didn't help. I had expected them to get a win against Kilclief, and it looked like an upset was on the cards against Castlewellan, but it turned into a comfortable win for Castlewellan. They could very well beat Ballyvarley, but the focus will probably be on next year.

I had expected Ballyvarley to be more competitive this year. They were competitive with Castlewellan, and based off of league results, I had expected them to beat Kilclief, but they were blown away by the Strangford men in the end. There are good hurlers in Ballyvarley, and they seem to have a big squad, so I'm not sure what the issue has been for the past few years.

Castlewellan have been very consistent this season, but Kilclief seem to really turn it up come the championship. Castlewellan probably will be favourites for the final, but I've a feeling Kilclief could go straight back up to Intermediate after their first year back in Junior.

[Square Ball]

What a farce that Liatroim game is, has to be another option. Half time and it's 10-10 to 0-2

[johnnycool]

What a farce that Liatroim game is, has to be another option. Half time and it's 10-10 to 0-2

Reenforces the point i made earlier.

All teams outside the top 6 are realistically junior standard.

[Square Ball]

What a farce that Liatroim game is, has to be another option. Half time and it's 10-10 to 0-2

Reenforces the point i made earlier.

All teams outside the top 6 are realistically junior standard.

100%. If this format continues can anyone honestly see anyone other than the two teams dropping from senior wining the intermediate?

[Mourne Red]

Manager merry go round has started already. Lots of Facebooks posts past couple of days from clubs asking for interested parties to get in touch.