Down Club Hurling & Football

[PAULD123]

Here is the pattern of almost every Down game this year. Start well, build up a big lead. From minutes 35 to 55 Odrahn Murdoch goes missing, we give up possession constantly, the opposition score enough to close that gap. Odrhan comes back into the game in the last ten minutes. We start winning midfield ball. We create the chances to rescue the game. BUT... instead of slipping over points from simple positions,  we insist on over playing,  trying to get a goal instead of the day point.  We drag the tension out until finally accepting the need to score a point and win in the final seconds.

Yesterday they didn't do the last bit. Even though all they needed was a point to level the game, they simply refused. They kept trying to get The shot on goal When we actually needed a point. The calm head never took the easy sensible option.

[snoopdog]

Any progress Down have made under Laveety. And they have improved. But saturday wrote it all off.
To lose any final to Wicklow is as bad as it gets. No disrespect to Wicklow but Down lost it because the Down players didnt want to know in the 2nd half.  They were out fought by a Div 4 team.
As low a day in Downs history that i can remember and there have been many.
We are now looked upon as one of those counties that used to be good. Likea Cavan or Offaly.
We think we are better than we are and the rest of the country are laughing at us.
I never thought id see the day that i was embarrassed to wear a Down jersey but sat was that day. Ironically things can still get worse. If Down get relegated from Div 2 next year and are back in the TC again, the current crop of players are at fault. Their lack of balls will have put Down in that position.
Does anyone believe they can turn it around next year?
Any good club player in the county not yet on the panel should be upping their game for club championship because there is more than a few positions up for improvement.
 

[Dayman]

Here is the pattern of almost every Down game this year. Start well, build up a big lead. From minutes 35 to 55 Odrahn Murdoch goes missing, we give up possession constantly, the opposition score enough to close that gap. Odrhan comes back into the game in the last ten minutes. We start winning midfield ball. We create the chances to rescue the game. BUT... instead of slipping over points from simple positions,  we insist on over playing,  trying to get a goal instead of the day point.  We drag the tension out until finally accepting the need to score a point and win in the final seconds.

Yesterday they didn't do the last bit. Even though all they needed was a point to level the game, they simply refused. They kept trying to get The shot on goal When we actually needed a point. The calm head never took the easy sensible option.

They just seem so weak mentally, especially when it comes to the big games that they would be expected to win. Thinking Tailteann Cup final v Laois in 2024 (almost threw it away), Division 3 final v Wexford this year (having beaten them handy earlier in the year) and now this last weekend throwing away a 13 point lead - as soon as Wicklow got a run on us I felt we were done. Honestly after seeing their celebrations I don't begrudge them it at all. That's not even talking about the absolute stuffing they got from Armagh, for me nothing was worse than that and I think that did some real damage mentally.

Even if we did win on Saturday, staying up in Division 2 next year is the most important thing by far. Hopefully Kerr and Danny Magill being back will add a bit more firepower.

Last year Westmeath got relegated to Div 3 with 1 point, and got knocked out of the Tailteann Cup in the quarter final. This year they're Leinster champions. These things can turn around, but whatever mental block is there needs to get sorted quickly.

[Blue By Nature]

Any more word on #TesticleOperation after the Loughinisland game?               

[downtothecore]

Well done to Green and Red of Mayo. Fantastic scenes.  Would be Great to see the Red and Black of Down hit such heights...33 years next year and counting

[ardtole]

The last time Wicklow beat us in the championship we got to the All Ireland final the following year.

Maybe history will repeat itself, and maybe go one step further.

[Aristo 60]

Aye, but under new management..

[snoopdog]

The last time Wicklow beat us in the championship we got to the All Ireland final the following year.

Maybe history will repeat itself, and maybe go one step further.

Do we have a Beirne, kobi coming through?. Down are Mentally weak. Mayo went to croke pk on sunday with no baggage no fear of losing, they didnt have the anxiery of previous years. They didnt collapse when 7 pts down early on. Football has been brought pack to the pack, a lot of teams will fancy their chances next year. Remember Monaghan shouldve beat Mayo in Clones in the 2nd half. Meath had a massive lead on thrm in Castlebar. There isnt a massive gulf now.
 For those calling for new management, who would they suggest. Laverty needs years to sort the mess out that went before him. A mess that started in 2011 when Tally left McCartans set up.
Downs goal next year is to stay in Div 2. Anything after that is a bonus. Consistency is key. Mayo are always in Div 1.

[clonian]

The last time Wicklow beat us in the championship we got to the All Ireland final the following year.

Maybe history will repeat itself, and maybe go one step further.

Do we have a Beirne, kobi coming through?. Down are Mentally weak. Mayo went to croke pk on sunday with no baggage no fear of losing, they didnt have the anxiery of previous years. They didnt collapse when 7 pts down early on. Football has been brought pack to the pack, a lot of teams will fancy their chances next year. Remember Monaghan shouldve beat Mayo in Clones in the 2nd half. Meath had a massive lead on thrm in Castlebar. There isnt a massive gulf now.
 For those calling for new management, who would they suggest. Laverty needs years to sort the mess out that went before him. A mess that started in 2011 when Tally left McCartans set up.
Downs goal next year is to stay in Div 2. Anything after that is a bonus. Consistency is key. Mayo are always in Div 1.

It all seems to be a bit unsettled at the minute but I can't see them making a change with Lav. If they don't stay in div 2 he will be under pressure though.

We thought Tally was a problem and he seems to have done ok since, granted not as the nr 1.

There's not a lot of young stand out players coming through in Down that are ready to make a big change but Mayo haven't been flying at underage lately either. We beat them at minors this year in the B championship.

[Ed Hardy]

Any more word on #TesticleOperation after the Loughinisland game?               

Whats this about?

[manwithnoplan]

Any more word on #TesticleOperation after the Loughinisland game?               

Whats this about?

A Kilcoo man, with previous form for striking players with sucker punches off the ball, done the same again. Ended up getting clipped with a knee down below and apparently had surgery as a result. From the video doing the rounds, it looks like the man who started it  has came off worse.

[Mourne Red]

Any more word on #TesticleOperation after the Loughinisland game?               

Whats this about?

A Kilcoo man, with previous form for striking players with sucker punches off the ball, done the same again. Ended up getting clipped with a knee down below and apparently had surgery as a result. From the video doing the rounds, it looks like the man who started it  has came off worse.

Ball(s) was there to be won...

[Get Over]

As the league season concludes tonight, which teams and players have established themselves as the definitive contenders and standout performers ahead of the upcoming championship?

[Realdownman]

Guessing this forum is anonymous?

[maldini]

As the league season concludes tonight, which teams and players have established themselves as the definitive contenders and standout performers ahead of the upcoming championship?

Kilcoo won't be stopped, the only team who could possibly catch them on an off day is Clonduff I think, but that's a long shot.

Drumaness should win the Junior

Rostrevor probably favorites for an open looking IFC. You've also got Annaclone, An Riocht, Longstone, CNB, Darragh Cross and Liatroim any of whom could go far.