FERMANAGH V DOWN Preliminary Round USFC

[Pangurban]

Hope reigns eternal in Down Fanatics Heart and i applaud him for that, but when Ross and Co have learned nothing in 3 yrs. we are unlikely to see them find a Brain in 6 weeks

[goh4205]

On another note, someone above suggested that Down have only 4 or 5 county standard players.

This is a load of nonsense.

Nearly every Down player today has played in All-Ireland finals at minor, under-21 or Sigerson level. Meaning that at least one stage they were as good as any of their peers in the country.

Perhaps that was me wobbler.  I didn't mean it in a degrading way, but apart from the team which started today, Howard, Gordon, Carr, Hughes, Benny & McCommisky who else would you class as senior inter county players.  producing it at minor & U21 level is a completely different ball game. The amount of time you have on the ball is that little bit less & less every grade you step up.
I was at the Tryone reply last year & they were brilliant that night in Newry & only for Darling Pat from Farney tryone would have been up the road much sooner, not that it meant much in September.
Pete McGrath isn't the answer either, there is to much baggage. A fresh face from outside the county is whats needed I think who has no agenda's regarding selections etc, which seem to have cost Down some of their better players in recent times.

[INDIANA]

On another note, someone above suggested that Down have only 4 or 5 county standard players.

This is a load of nonsense.

Nearly every Down player today has played in All-Ireland finals at minor, under-21 or Sigerson level. Meaning that at least one stage they were as good as any of their peers in the country.

In fairness wobbler that doesn't make them IC standard senior players, I felt before today that Down were an average team, they were beaten by Tipp and Wexford in the past 12 months after all, but after today I'd have to say Down are a very poor team. It can't all be Carr's fault, you would expect senior IC players to modify the tactics if they are blatantly not working, you would expect IC players to be able to fist pass the ball accurately or to know when to fist or kick pass. Although I thought some of the frees Fermanagh got in the second half were soft the Down players were woeful in the tackle and it was quite easy for Fermanagh to get a run on them. Minor and U21 AI's are of little value if that is what is being produced at senior level.

I would agree with all of that but you would expect over a 10 year period - not all their underage players would dis-improve at senior level. Never seen anywhere like it.

[Pangurban]

Down dont hire managers from outside, and rightly so

[BallyhaiseMan]

Down for as long as ive seen them have always struggled when they come up against teams implementing any sort of  efficient defensive system.
They have lots of players who are very good on the ball and have all the skills and if allowed the time and space to play,will play nearly any team off the park.
Last year against Tyrone in the replay,While Tyrone were no slouches,They werent as tight defensively as they were later in the year,
Down played Fabulous stuff that night.
However when put under serious pressure,a lack of a game plan,leads the same players to be made look very ordinary.
They have always played good stuff against Cavan,because of our lack of any defensive organisation , game plan and an absence of tight marking and willingness to participate in a shoot-out.
For Down to progress i believe they will have to look into adopting some parts of the defensive systems we have seen from Fermanagh/Tyrone/Armagh over the years,even if not to the extreme levels of say Fermanagh last year.
They have enough to work with in the county to be a damn sight better than they were today.

[Pangurban]

Defensive football has had its day as will be demonstrated during the Summer by some of the better attack minded teams

[orangeman]

Aidan Carr's sending off looked shocking. Did I miss something ?

[tyssam5]

Defensive football has had its day as will be demonstrated during the Summer by some of the better attack minded teams

You're leaving your options fairly open there, names?

[ArmaghGAAforum]

it wasn't all good for fermanagh with down minors destroying them, here is the highlights of the game for those who missed it

Down destroyed Fermanagh Minors 1-12 to 0-4



Down seniors just weren't hungry enough to win it and tried long balls in during the second half to two of the smallest lads on the pitch.  plan a didn't work and there didn't seem to be a plan b. 

[ONeill]

Very disappointing performance from Down. As Tipp showed in the league, if you run at that Down defence they fall to pieces. Some of the frees they conceded were simply down to a lack of ability and brain. It's ok tidily building from defence (as the Tally stamp showed), unless you can defend as well on the back foot you'll go nowhere.

Keeping Benny on was a major boob. But nothing surprises me anymore about Carr. Listening to the man last year in the Wellie Park was a real eye opener. He thinks he talks a good game. What he actually says is utter garbage, with little tactical basis. Great player, shit manager.

I do think Pete McGrath would've won that game today, although that's a step many Down men don't seem to want to consider. But, if you want a manager from within the county, he's your man.

Fermanagh - your manager is a shrewd operator. He knows how to win games, no matter the opposition. You could actually build up a wee head of steam here and make amends for last year. Baby-steps.

[Trevor Hill]

I don`t often agree with Brolly but he was correct when he said Down were managerless.
I rarely, if ever, miss a game and I posted a report on the first game of the national league where I was very critical of the Down display both on and off the field. Ross stood and watched the game go by in Thurles like a disinterested spectator, he has got worse as the season has gone on. DJ is a clown, plain and simple. He likes to be heard and give the impression of being the man, but in truth they are both out of their depth. I don't really know if Peter McGrath is the logical choice to replace them though. I have always thought that we need an outsider to try and whip us into shape, if the county board are not willing to appoint an outsider then for me Wee James can do no worse than what we have endured over the last 3 years and more.
The players also have to accept their share of the blame, its alright talking about systems and styles of play, but good players should be able to adapt quickly. The entire team today looked tired and uninterested at times. Down have been leaderless for too many games on the field and the high of beating Tyrone last year has been forgotten because of the displays against Armagh, Wexford and most of the Division 3 campaign.
I will be at the next game and I`ll be back for the Division 2 campaign next year, if Ross and DJ are stuck for a lift to the away games I`ll happily provide one. They have had their go and failed, its time for someone else to give it a shot. They have shown yet again that great players don't make great managers.

Aidan Carrs challenge was a rash one, but it didnt merit a red card. Maybe now the rest of the team will be allowed to take the odd free, its a wonder he doesnt take the kick outs as well.  

Well done to Fermanagh on a deserved victory. If your players had shown belief in their shooting last year like they did today you would have won Ulster, good luck in the rest of the campaign, you have my support.

[erne bhoy]

Good win for the lads today. Carson looks handy if unspectacular as the free taker doubling as the big man up front. Anything keeping mcbarron out of the team is most certainly progress.

Anyone saying that defensive football has had it's day is just talking out of their hat, Fermanagh have a solid defense but little up front so what other way can you expect us to play, nobodies in the business of taking admirable five point defeats. Combine this with the fact that we have the smallest pick in Ireland (I think correct me if wrong...) and just competing will suffice, Shite football or not Gnevin...

[erne bhoy]

My point precisely lol

[down6061689194]

General view today was Carr out. For a number of reasons

-faliure to take Aidan off.
-Leaving Mccomiskey on and taking Murtagh off!
-Lack of urgency in making changes
-unable to see that High ball wasn't working.

Personally I want Pete Mcgrath as I doubt the U21s would have won Ulster never mind coming a kick from All-Ireland without him. The 2nd half against Armagh was superb and some nice changes and tactics involved.

Ross is too long new a this stage.

The only decent thing about today was Peter Turleys performance, at last a strong defender. He may have only showed gilimirs.

And I'd bet money we get the losers of Tyrone Armagh or Dublin Meath, always the way.

[Aaron Boone]

Down out to 66/1 to bring Sam Maguire home to the Mournes in September.