FERMANAGH V DOWN Preliminary Round USFC

[Mid Down Gael]

Down team for Sunday, no Coulter, though it would be a shock if this team actually starts as lined out.

B McVeigh
L Howard
K McKernan
D Rafferty
A Carr
C Garvey
D Rooney
D Gordon
A Rogers
B McArdle
J Boyle
S Kearney
D Hughes
R Murtagh
P McComiskey

For a fact it wont. Benny McArdle is out with a hamstring injury.

[Trevor Hill]

So Coulter could start, if he is fit, with Daniel Hughes dropping back into the half forward line? I`d prefer to see McKernan and Garvey swap places as well.

[Mid Down Gael]

So Coulter could start, if he is fit, with Daniel Hughes dropping back into the half forward line? I`d prefer to see McKernan and Garvey swap places as well.

Id say what you have predicted will likely be the case come sunday. Heard Peter Fitzpatrick was also due to start.

[down6061689194]

Can anyone clarify the John Clarke Situation? I hear he went to see Marty at a get together against Ross's Wishes and was told not to come back!

And who writes Downs Team Sheet on the website.
Paul McCumiskey?

[Mourne Rover]

Both teams will probably have some changes on Sunday, but there are still plenty of talking points. Cole and Murphy are our two most experienced, and, in the eyes of many supporters, most capable defenders, but they have not made it. While McKernan will not let anyone down, he is only back after a reasonably serious injury. There must also be some doubts about Ambrose's match fitness as well, although it is great to see him back.

We still have a decent line-up, which will be stronger again if Benny starts, although there is no left-footed free taker, and we should be capable of making our presence felt in Enniskillen.

[Class of 99]

Have to agree with the Murphy, Cole comment, but also hoping not to be proved right. The half forward line is also very inexperienced and I just pray to God that there isnt high ball pumped into that full forward line. Good early quick ball in will be the key, there is definately a bit of pace in there to cause problems.
Just dont see anyone in the team that will win lots of breaking ball around the middle, if as predicted the weather is bad this will be a key factor as high Fielding will be at a premium I reckon.

I still think that team is more than capable of putting on a performance and hopefully shading what is sure to be a tight game.

What is the pub situation up near Brewster? memory is a bit shady from the last time

[down6061689194]

although there is no left-footed free taker,

Have every confidence in Carr and Mccomiskey delivering. Last year U21's used McComiskey alot on the right hand side and Carr hit a few good frees from that side.

So far this year though I'd say frees haven't been an issue, and there haven't been enough to justify it being an issue. Possibly an argument for the new rules? It's not that bad though, BBC websites report to day was that fermanagh needed any one to kick frees left or right footed.

[ExiledGael]

Few decent pubs across the road from Dunnes as you approach ground. You'll probably have no park somewhere near there anyway, Willie Ramblers and Railway (the latter does food). bout halfway between there and the ground on the left is the Fort Lodge hotel. Will be packed and is five minute walk from ground, also does food and would probably be the best/handiest spot. Think ther Gaels clubhouse open the bar too behind main stand but not too sure of the story there.

[ExiledGael]

Can any of you Dwon experts tell me what type of player John Boyle is?

[Trevor Hill]

Can any of you Down experts tell me what type of player John Boyle is?

Someone wrongly compared him to Greg Blaney. Hes not a bad footballer, but he can disappear from games for long periods, he touched the ball once in the opening half against Tipperary recently and he isn't the fastest man on the team, but at other times he can really get involved and he has kicked a few excellent long range scores. He seems to fancy himself as a free taker, but he has missed more than he has scored.
I still think he has the makings of a good footballer, he is on a steep learning curve at the minute. I don't know wether he will be suited to the type of game that Fermangh play though.

[DownFanatic]

Can any of you Down experts tell me what type of player John Boyle is?

Someone wrongly compared him to Greg Blaney. Hes not a bad footballer, but he can disappear from games for long periods, he touched the ball once in the opening half against Tipperary recently and he isn't the fastest man on the team, but at other times he can really get involved and he has kicked a few excellent long range scores. He seems to fancy himself as a free taker, but he has missed more than he has scored.
I still think he has the makings of a good footballer, he is on a steep learning curve at the minute. I don't know wether he will be suited to the type of game that Fermangh play though.

John Boyle sums up the majority of players on the Down team at the moment. Excellent club players but maybe just below the mark in terms of county standard.

Boyle is a handy play maker and his good on the ball but Id rather see him introduced against a tiring team in the last ten minutes.

[centre 3/4s]

He is an average club player and the fact that we have a natural free scoring playmaker suited purely for centre half foward in maginn just defies belief. By the way did anyone see the news tonight when austin o'callaghan held up the document with the top secret down team wrote on it, laughable or what?

[Mourne Rover]

Maginn is a great prospect, but he still needs to fill out and during his league outings he looked more likely to play senior championship football in 2010 rather than 2009. Against bigger and stronger opponents in the u21 final against Cork, he only played in flashes and failed to  score. Boyle has yet to convince in the same position, but he is capable of winning the ball.

[Mid Down Gael]

Boyle has yet to prove himself at county level. tommorrow is his big chance. he has been playing centre half back for the point in last few years. ID be worried about our half forward line. Kelly and McElroy will attack plenty and have a lot of pace where as we are the opposite in this line. The Fermanagh line up is weak if truth be told so i expect a Down victory. No Barry Owens, Ryan McCuskey, Shane McCabe, Sean Doherty, Tom Brewster, Mark Murphy and shane Goan in starting team. We have everyone available thats selected for squad apart from Liam Doyle so i would be confident of a Down victory. We have Paul Murphy, Monk Cole, Ronan Sexton, Benny Coulter on bench with loads of experience and talented younger players so if management get it right with tactics and decision making in making changes then role on Cavan in 4 weeks.

[western exile]

It is noteworthy that Conor Garvey (making his championship debut)  is the only Mayobridge player on the Down starting 15, despite Mayobridge being the most dominant club in the county.  (Of course Benny Coulter would also be on if not injured).
13 clubs are represented in the starting 15 players.