Down Club Hurling & Football

[marty34]

Disappointed for Portaferry.

Came down to the wire. I think it really could have gone either way, and was in the  melting pot up until Slaughtneil's goal in the last ten minutes.

It wasn't as spectacular a game as we have seen in recent years, but that's the nature of these types of battles.

McGrattan obviously a huge loss. Coleman was very impressive.

Portaferry may feel certain decisions went against them, but the fact of the matter is the Ports had chances and unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalise at the right times.

SN are a serious side. The physicality they bring is very, very difficult to live with. Their ability to win ball goes a long way in helping their game. That is before even commenting on the quality hurling they play.

Portaferry will be disappointed. But I do think it is important to take a step back and look at how they have come on in recent years.

In 2022, Portaferry were put out of Ulster in the semi finals by SN- losing by almost 20 points. 3 years later and they have clearly shown they have caught up with the Derry men. It is massive progress in a short period of time.

I know that won't be much comfort to them over the winter, but it is well worth noting.

Portaferry are still very much the team to beat in Down and no doubt there's more to come from this team.

Best of luck to Slaughtneil now in Ulster. I'd say they should win the Ulster Final, but I do think it would be great to see St John's get over the line. Setentna weren't absolutely blown away in the other semi final, so hopefully they stick up in the Senior Championship for next year. Great to have more teams and more games.

Hard luck also to Clonduff camogs. Game was far closer than final score line might suggest (they lost by 7, but were a point or 2 behind Loughguile for the majority of the game). It is great to see them competing with teams like Loughguile, and hopefully there is more to come.

Portaferry are a serious outfit and will win Ulster in the next year or 2. hard luck to them at the weekend but they need a bit more off the bench going forward.

You need 20 plus hurlers capable of coming on and making a difference and there's no doubting Tom McGrattan is one they will need next year, but their need is further down the field and I don't see who that is coming from their bench and I've seen plenty of their juveniles and seconds the last several years.

They're still hot favourites to come out of Down as our needs are far greater than theirs.

Anyone I've spoken to reckons SN will beat St Johns with something to spare. I can't see how it can be so though, as it wasn't as if they got an easy route out of Antrim and I wouldn't bet against them, but SN's physicality and fitness is something to behold.

There are plenty of good backs in Portaferry, but I don't think they have a real marquee name the outside of one or two more established players, and they don't seem to have an obvious solution coming.

That is unless someone focused on developing as a real man marking defender, but I don't know how feasible that would really be.

I think SN should win Ulster now, but anyone thinking St John's won't put it up to them would do well to look back over their record up until now. They'll give Slaughtneil their fill of it, but SN's physicality and experience should see them over the line.

The key thing about SN is that they're seriously good skillful hurlers with a very good manager.

I think the football/physiciality thing is overplayed. It's lazy analysis really.

A great year for St. John's who have overcome the odds and have come through in tight games. I actually thought their chance had gone as they were so near this past 4 or 5 years but couldn't get over the line. They've regrouped well.

[Splash]

Sleacht Néill are without doubt one of the most technically skilful teams in Ulster- if not Ireland. Their touch, their striking, their decision making, their reading of the game; are all phenomenal. There's a great slowed down video going about at the moment of McKaigue taking a touch on the outside heel of the hurl and putting the sliotar over the bar, for example.

I don't think it's right to say that commentary on their physicality is lazy.

Perhaps some of it is. Perhaps some of it is people saying their dual status gives them 'double the results,' or something to that effect. But with any serious interest will know SN are where they are due to playing hurling very well.

I think it's very hard though to say their physicality doesn't play a role in their game though. At the end of the day, the ability to win ball over their opponents, to break tackles, and to shoot from almost anywhere on the field at times, have all played massive factors in their success.

It is not the reason for their success, but it is no doubt useful to them and has not been a bad thing. Part of the reason that SN have been so competitive with the likes of Ballygunner, Ballyhale, Na Piarsaigh, etc., is becuase they have the physical ability to live with them.

You are spot on though- their primary reason for success is due to the high quality hurling they play, followed by a series of very good managers.


Great year for St John's. Upset the odds time and time again this year. No reason they can't be competitive with Slaughtneil and Loughrea. We will see.

[Splash]

Best of luck to the Aghaderg Camogs in the Ulster Junior Camogie Final tomorrow- the last of the Down small-ball representatives in Ulster after Portaferry, Liatroim, Castlewellan, Clonduff, and Ballyholland all fought the good fight and gave it a lash.

[Twix]

With clubs seemingly doing all their business early, whats the managememt landscape looking like for 2026? Please update the list if I am wrong

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - ?
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - ?

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - ?
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - ?
Glasdrumman - ?
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - ?

[marty34]

Sleacht Néill are without doubt one of the most technically skilful teams in Ulster- if not Ireland. Their touch, their striking, their decision making, their reading of the game; are all phenomenal. There's a great slowed down video going about at the moment of McKaigue taking a touch on the outside heel of the hurl and putting the sliotar over the bar, for example.

I don't think it's right to say that commentary on their physicality is lazy.

Perhaps some of it is. Perhaps some of it is people saying their dual status gives them 'double the results,' or something to that effect. But with any serious interest will know SN are where they are due to playing hurling very well.

I think it's very hard though to say their physicality doesn't play a role in their game though. At the end of the day, the ability to win ball over their opponents, to break tackles, and to shoot from almost anywhere on the field at times, have all played massive factors in their success.



It is not the reason for their success, but it is no doubt useful to them and has not been a bad thing. Part of the reason that SN have been so competitive with the likes of Ballygunner, Ballyhale, Na Piarsaigh, etc., is becuase they have the physical ability to live with them.

You are spot on though- their primary reason for success is due to the high quality hurling they play, followed by a series of very good managers.


Great year for St John's. Upset the odds time and time again this year. No reason they can't be competitive with Slaughtneil and Loughrea. We will see.

Some valid points but you seem to be agreeing and disagreeing about it.

Hurling is a physical game, moreso than football.

I never hear anybody stating that Na Fianna, Ballyhale or Ballygunnar etc. are physical teams. It's never mentioned.....ever. But always brought up about SN. As I say, it's lazy analysis.

They have fantastic hurlers and this has been proven year after year. I think people need to give them more credit for their hurling ability, moreso than their S&C and strength etc.

[skat man]

With clubs seemingly doing all their business early, whats the managememt landscape looking like for 2026? Please update the list if I am wrong

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - ?
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - ?

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - ?
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - ?
Glasdrumman - ?
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - ?

Mayobridge - barry dillon
downpatrick - micheal walsh
tullylish- davy corbett

[Twix]

With clubs seemingly doing all their business early, whats the managememt landscape looking like for 2026? Please update the list if I am wrong

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - ?
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - ?

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - ?
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - ?
Glasdrumman - ?
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - ?

Mayobridge - barry dillon
downpatrick - micheal walsh
tullylish- davy corbett

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - M Walsh
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - B Dillon

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - D Corbett
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - ?
Glasdrumman - ?
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - ?

[Smokescreen]

With clubs seemingly doing all their business early, whats the managememt landscape looking like for 2026? Please update the list if I am wrong

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - ?
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - ?

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - ?
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - ?
Glasdrumman - ?
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - ?

Mayobridge - barry dillon
downpatrick - micheal walsh
tullylish- davy corbett

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - M Walsh
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - B Dillon

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - D Corbett
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - ?
Glasdrumman - ?
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - ?

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - M Walsh
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - B Dillon

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - D Corbett
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - G Burden & C Morgan
Glasdrumman - K Trainor & A McCartan
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - P Turley/A Robinson/K Gracey



I believe S Clarke is remaining with Glenn but needs a coach and P O'Shea will likely stay at Ardglass although these are not confirmed, just what I've heard

[Splash]

Sleacht Néill are without doubt one of the most technically skilful teams in Ulster- if not Ireland. Their touch, their striking, their decision making, their reading of the game; are all phenomenal. There's a great slowed down video going about at the moment of McKaigue taking a touch on the outside heel of the hurl and putting the sliotar over the bar, for example.

I don't think it's right to say that commentary on their physicality is lazy.

Perhaps some of it is. Perhaps some of it is people saying their dual status gives them 'double the results,' or something to that effect. But with any serious interest will know SN are where they are due to playing hurling very well.

I think it's very hard though to say their physicality doesn't play a role in their game though. At the end of the day, the ability to win ball over their opponents, to break tackles, and to shoot from almost anywhere on the field at times, have all played massive factors in their success.



It is not the reason for their success, but it is no doubt useful to them and has not been a bad thing. Part of the reason that SN have been so competitive with the likes of Ballygunner, Ballyhale, Na Piarsaigh, etc., is becuase they have the physical ability to live with them.

You are spot on though- their primary reason for success is due to the high quality hurling they play, followed by a series of very good managers.


Great year for St John's. Upset the odds time and time again this year. No reason they can't be competitive with Slaughtneil and Loughrea. We will see.

Some valid points but you seem to be agreeing and disagreeing about it.

Hurling is a physical game, moreso than football.

I never hear anybody stating that Na Fianna, Ballyhale or Ballygunnar etc. are physical teams. It's never mentioned.....ever. But always brought up about SN. As I say, it's lazy analysis.

They have fantastic hurlers and this has been proven year after year. I think people need to give them more credit for their hurling ability, moreso than their S&C and strength etc.

I'm not agreeing and disagreeing- I'm thinking about it comprehensively.

The 2 factors are not exclusive and both can be simultaneously correct.

Slaughtneil have talented hurlers. Slaughtneil are a physically dominant team. Both things are true at once. Both factors have contributed to their success.

Their hurling ability obviously is the most fundamental reason for their success. If anyone says otherwise they haven't seen Slaughtneil perform. That doesn't mean their physicality hasn't been an additional component to their game plan.

Are Slaughtneil more skilful than Dunloy? Personally I don't think so, although the two teams play different styles of hurling and it's hard to compare.

Oddly enough, the one team Slaughtneil struggled with for many years was Cushendall- arguably the other most physical team in Ulster.

Were Slaughtneil more skilful than Portaferry in the semis? Maybe. There's certainly an argument for it. Personally, I don't think they necessarily were. I firmly believe Slaughtneil won the right battles; won the right puck outs, broke the right tackles, made the right decisions. An element of that stems from the physicality and that it is simply difficult for Portaferry to curtail certain players.

I obviously can't comment on what you've heard regarding other teams, but I have certainly heard people discuss the physicality of other sides. Ballyhale, not so much. Na Fianna, I've never heard it mentioned at all, but it has certainly been discussed in regards to Na Piarsaigh and Ballygunner. It's said regularly in the championship about Ballygunner and their conditioning. Na Piarsaigh it has certainly been said, and correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to recall it being said when Na Piarsaigh beat Slaughtneil (ironically enough) about the physical ability of the Limerick men, particularly through the likes of Dowling, O'Donoghue, etc.

Interestingly enough, one of the things that people made comment on after Slaughtneil lost out to Ballygunner was how the Derry men had had the physical ability to compete with them.

Indeed, it was talked about a lot from 2020 until maybe 2022 or 2023 that teams were struggling to match the intensity and physicality of the Limerick Senior Hurling team.

I'm not diminishing the hurling ability of Slaughtneil. An extraordinarily talented team, who have achieved what they have achieved primarily based on their outstanding ability at playing hurling. But you can't pretend that the sheer size of their players, the intensity that they bring, and the fitness that they carry, hasn't helped them become the dominant force in Ulster Hurling.

This isn't why they win. But it is a factor on how they play. And it doesn't always guarantee success. The Ulster Final against Dunloy in 2022 is a prime example of that.

But take their performance in Ulster in 2021, where they swatted away both Dunloy and Ballycran with ease. Was their hurling ability that much more than that of their Antrim and Down counterparts? Maybe it was, but I personally recall in the Ulster Final Brendan Rogers running through the Ballycran defence with players bouncing off him as he scored the goal which put the game to bed.

I don't think it's lazy analysis. Maybe some people do use it as something which can cover all. They probably aren't that interested in the actual hurling.

But you can't deny it hasn't attributed to their success over the years. If the Slaughtneil players were 12 inches shorter and 2 stone lighter would they have had the success they have had.

[Splash]

With clubs seemingly doing all their business early, whats the managememt landscape looking like for 2026? Please update the list if I am wrong

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - ?
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - ?

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - ?
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - ?
Glasdrumman - ?
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - ?

Mayobridge - barry dillon
downpatrick - micheal walsh
tullylish- davy corbett

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - M Walsh
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - B Dillon

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - D Corbett
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - ?
Glasdrumman - ?
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - ?

Bredagh - D Bunting
Carryduff - ?
Glenn - ?
Kilcoo - M Corey & J McMahon
Loughinisland - C O'Toole
CPN - P Feeney
RGU - M Walsh
Clonduff - G Adams
Burren - C Holmes
Mayobridge - B Dillon

Castlewellan - T Wilson & S Ward
Bryansford - M Copeland
An Riocht - P Shields
Longstone - ?
CNB - J Boyle
Annaclone - D Morgan
Ballyholland - S Mulholland
Saul - J Magorrian
Rostrevor - T Franklin & M Farrell
Saval - M O'Rourke

Drumgath - D O'Hanlon
St Johns - J Lynch
Dromara - E Toner & R Brady
Attical - B Coulter
East Belfast - ?
Darragh Cross - B Mason
Teconnaught - J Clarke
Bosco - L Howlett & A Murray
Liatroim - S Curran
Shamrocks - A Rogers

Ballymartin - T Bagnall & A Carr
Kilclief - A Burns
Tullylish - D Corbett
St Michaels - ?
Aghaderg - ?
Drumaness - G Burden & C Morgan
Glasdrumman - K Trainor & A McCartan
Ardglass - ?
St Pauls - ?
Dundrum - M Fitzsimons & J Hurley
Aughlisnafin - C O'Neill
Bright - P Turley/A Robinson/K Gracey



I believe S Clarke is remaining with Glenn but needs a coach and P O'Shea will likely stay at Ardglass although these are not confirmed, just what I've heard

J Kelly- East Belfast.

To the best of my knowledge are Clarke and O'Shea not staying with Glenn and Ardglass respectively?

[Splash]

An Armagh fella told me when he transferred across the Clanrye the biggest change he noticed was the physicality in Down hurling compared to that of Armagh hurling.

I know though that some of the Down fellas say the same when they hop over the Lagan and head up into Antrim.

I would agree- Down have been physically dominated at times in the Joe McDonagh, and it'll be tough dealing with what is coming in the likes of Clare and Dublin in Div 1.

Hopefully it will be a learning curve and will stand in good stead in the long run as Down try to cement themselves in Division 1 in the coming years.

It's been spoken about to death- but I wonder why Down players are, on average, across both hurling and football, typically on the smaller side? It's not as though there are many giants of players in the county just not making the cut. It just seems on average players in Down are of smaller stature.

[knowbetter]

Honestly I think we are just smaller in this part of the woods compared to other counties, even in football we don't have many players above 6ft but that doesn't matter as much due to the amount of running that's now required.

I do kind of understand the physically aspect but it should be noted that a lot of the hurling in down (division 1 and 2) league isn't really taken that seriously. Sure half the games are called off because travelling across the county on a Monday after work is too much hassle.

Hurling at county level has changed quite a bit in recent years with strength and conditioning, Limerick have shown how dominate players that are physically huge but also massively skillful can have an impact on the game.

To compete and stay in division 1 we would have to put more resources into the strength and conditioning / gym. A lot to ask of the players who want a life outside the GAA but it is what it is.

Gone are the days of just training once / twice a week with a match every other weekend.

[Mourne Red]

An Armagh fella told me when he transferred across the Clanrye the biggest change he noticed was the physicality in Down hurling compared to that of Armagh hurling.

I know though that some of the Down fellas say the same when they hop over the Lagan and head up into Antrim.

I would agree- Down have been physically dominated at times in the Joe McDonagh, and it'll be tough dealing with what is coming in the likes of Clare and Dublin in Div 1.

Hopefully it will be a learning curve and will stand in good stead in the long run as Down try to cement themselves in Division 1 in the coming years.

It's been spoken about to death- but I wonder why Down players are, on average, across both hurling and football, typically on the smaller side? It's not as though there are many giants of players in the county just not making the cut. It just seems on average players in Down are of smaller stature.

All down to the breeding, need the County Board to reach out to some Viking women in the Scandinavian country's to emigrate here.

Promise of a coastal house in Rostrevor or Warrenpoint and in return they just need to birth us 25 boys who will grow up to be 6ft 2'

[ApresMatch]

It's the Joseph Donnan final (u20 13a-side) in two days time and still no venue confirmed. Where was Joseph Donnan from? Should the final not just be in his home club? Or a nearby club if unavailable.

[Truth hurts]

It's the Joseph Donnan final (u20 13a-side) in two days time and still no venue confirmed. Where was Joseph Donnan from? Should the final not just be in his home club? Or a nearby club if unavailable.

No one wants to open their pitches, The two clubs should toss for it.