FERMANAGH V DOWN Preliminary Round USFC

[downgirl]

Yea TAM seemed like just a push to me too???  I dunno would like a bit of a closer look again

[Zulu]

Well done to Fermanagh who once again stood up to the plate when asked of them, however to say Down were woeful is and understatement. They reminded me of that old kit kat ad, - you can't sing, you can't dance and you look awful. Down are a poor, poor football team who cannot do any of the basics of football at all.

[Schkite]

None of Carson's frees were overly hard or in any way spectacular, but had he been playing last year Fermanagh would've won Ulster, all they needed was a decent free-taker.

Poor game in brutal conditions by two average enough teams, but as said before Fermanagh have a great opportunity of another Ulster final. Still think Donegal will get to the final though.

[omagh_gael]

Yea TAM seemed like just a push to me too???  I dunno would like a bit of a closer look again

Think it def was a red, closed fist shove into back of mc graths head, pure petulance, plus he's on my fantasy football team so I'm personally disappointed  

[mountainboii]

Yea TAM seemed like just a push to me too???  I dunno would like a bit of a closer look again

Think it def was a red, closed fist shove into back of mc graths head, pure petulance, plus he's on my fantasy football team so I'm personally disappointed  

Mine too, arsehole  

[DaUmpire]

Well done to Fermanagh who once again stood up to the plate when asked of them, however to say Down were woeful is and understatement. They reminded me of that old kit kat ad, - you can't sing, you can't dance and you look awful. Down are a poor, poor football team who cannot do any of the basics of football at all.

Totally agree with you there.In the first half in particular Down couldnt tackle,they had 2 players booked for high tackles that an under 12 wouldnt be stupid enough to make,they must have give away another 3 fouls for players coming in with their feet when a fermanagh man was bending down to pick the ball up.In the second half, the only tactic they had was to play a high ball into a half fit benny coulter and peter fitzpatrick.No down players were up there to support them.Ross will be gone after downs next defeat.Def a red card for A Carr

[pearseog]

Yea TAM seemed like just a push to me too???  I dunno would like a bit of a closer look again

Think it def was a red, closed fist shove into back of mc graths head, pure petulance, plus he's on my fantasy football team so I'm personally disappointed  

Mine too, arsehole  

mine too only consolation is that most people would have him. half back who takes frees

[Leo]

.Ross will be gone after downs next defeat.

Will he last that long?
After 3 wasted years why waste another 7 weeks?
As Bolly said on TV, Down are "managerless".
How many times do we have to prove that?

[Dangerous Person]

Aidan Carrs actions were a disgrace. It was a Fermanagh free, and he walked 5 yards and pushed Marty McGrath in the back of the head. It was a straight red. Fair play to McGrath who got straight back up, and no retaliation from the Fermanagh players but he definetley deserved to go.

As for the match, Down were, yet again, tactically outclassed. Fermanagh worked harder and had the more composure at the vital stage of the game and ran out thoroughly deserving winners. I'd imagine that will be Ross' last game in the Ulster Championship and Down could do with a Malachy O'Rourke as the next appointment. Danny Hughes was really the only positive. His energy and enthusiasm is a joy to watch at times, he covered some ground and can hold his head high, (which he probably will anyway).

Donegal 95', Tyrone 96', Antrim 00', Tyrone 03', Tyrone 05', Tyrone 06', Wexford 08', Fermanagh 09'. Am I right in saying Downs last Championship win in the rain is the 1994 All Ireland Final?

[DownFanatic]

That was a very abject performance from Down. Over the past couple of years on this board I have always voiced my support for Ross's regime. However, I expected more today. This was a perfect game for Down to emerge victorious from. Fermanagh are distinctly average at best and similarly I thought that our bunch of average players could have outwitted them.

I know that this Down team is very limited. The National League campaign proved that. However, I thought that we would have had 15 players to just about beat Fermanagh. Obviously not.

The team selection for todays game wasn't right. Kevin Duffin was given his Championship debut having hardly got a sniff of football during the League. Although he is probably our best option at full back, Peter Turley clearly wasnt up to match fitness as he was a non participant in the League. Conor Garvey was played at centre half back having been utilised at wing back and full back during the League. Aidan Carr was shunted to centre half forward having played at wing back for most of the League. Ronan Murtagh was lost around the middle and im struggling to find what he offers this Down team at the moment. Peter Fitzpatrick was used at full forward despite him being the best U-21 midfielder in the country this year while McComiskey was dragged out in the 2nd half and made to play in an un-customary wing forward role.

Danny Hughes' deployment out the field was about the only success in the re-jigged setup. Constantly changing player's positions is bound to affect their mental build up to games. It also stifles any chance of strategic patterns of play actually working.

The biggest c**k up of all was the persistent 'hail mary' ball in to Coulter and Fitzpatrick in the 2nd half. We went 25 minutes without scoring with that tactic but yet nothing changed. That was a managerial error of insurmountable proportions and one which went a long way in condemning us to defeat.

Fermanagh were an ordinary side. However, they seemed more organised, more comfortable on the ball and they tended to execute the basics to a better degree than Down.

The big question for us is where we go from here? It will take a big effort to keep boys interested now as there isnt a game for another 8 weeks. It will be great to see the boys back playing for their clubs but ultimately we would have rather wanted to be looking forward to a game against Cavan.

Ross and co have one last chance of redemption in the Qualifiers. However, I just cant see a long run in the back door ensuing. The future for our current crop of Seniors looks very bleak at the moment.

[bennydorano]

I was expecting that game to be dire but thought it was pretty decent.  Down are an indisciplined shambles with no descernible game plan.  

Has Pete McGrath been away long enough to be considered for a possible return?

[Tommy Tibbs]

Aidan Carrs actions were a disgrace. It was a Fermanagh free, and he walked 5 yards and pushed Marty McGrath in the back of the head. It was a straight red. Fair play to McGrath who got straight back up, and no retaliation from the Fermanagh players but he definetley deserved to go.

As for the match, Down were, yet again, tactically outclassed. Fermanagh worked harder and had the more composure at the vital stage of the game and ran out thoroughly deserving winners. I'd imagine that will be Ross' last game in the Ulster Championship and Down could do with a Malachy O'Rourke as the next appointment. Danny Hughes was really the only positive. His energy and enthusiasm is a joy to watch at times, he covered some ground and can hold his head high, (which he probably will anyway).

Donegal 95', Tyrone 96', Antrim 00', Tyrone 03', Tyrone 05', Tyrone 06', Wexford 08', Fermanagh 09'. Am I right in saying Downs last Championship win in the rain is the 1994 All Ireland Final?

Great second half performance by fermanagh, really stood up when it was needed and totally deserved their victory. Glad lads like Crason showed the promise that he has proven for many years in club football in the county. Other lads to step up to the plate today were James Sherry, Ryan Keenan and Tommy McElroy. Pete Sherry also had an extremely good second half, especially when most supporters would have felt that the loss of Clucker would have negatively affected the team.

As for Aidan Carr's sending off, it was hardly a disgrace dangerous person. It was pure frustration at the way the second half had panned out and while the ref had blown for a free he pushed marty in the back/neck, it was definately a yellow but not sure it warranted more than that. Wont matter anyway as by the time the qualifiers come it will be July and the suspension will be long up by that stage.

[goh4205]

Aidan Carr's foul was hardly worth a red card???

Did he not strike?

I thought it was just a tough shoulder??

Sort of feel for Carr, McGrath & that other bollock McDermott were throwin sly digs all day and didn't get caught.  Can't blame Ross Carr, he has about 5 inter county players to work with, the rest are average club players & average at that

[DennistheMenace]

Does Sexton not play for Down anymore ?

[Dangerous Person]

Aidan Carrs actions were a disgrace. It was a Fermanagh free, and he walked 5 yards and pushed Marty McGrath in the back of the head. It was a straight red. Fair play to McGrath who got straight back up, and no retaliation from the Fermanagh players but he definetley deserved to go.

As for the match, Down were, yet again, tactically outclassed. Fermanagh worked harder and had the more composure at the vital stage of the game and ran out thoroughly deserving winners. I'd imagine that will be Ross' last game in the Ulster Championship and Down could do with a Malachy O'Rourke as the next appointment. Danny Hughes was really the only positive. His energy and enthusiasm is a joy to watch at times, he covered some ground and can hold his head high, (which he probably will anyway).

Donegal 95', Tyrone 96', Antrim 00', Tyrone 03', Tyrone 05', Tyrone 06', Wexford 08', Fermanagh 09'. Am I right in saying Downs last Championship win in the rain is the 1994 All Ireland Final?

Great second half performance by fermanagh, really stood up when it was needed and totally deserved their victory. Glad lads like Crason showed the promise that he has proven for many years in club football in the county. Other lads to step up to the plate today were James Sherry, Ryan Keenan and Tommy McElroy. Pete Sherry also had an extremely good second half, especially when most supporters would have felt that the loss of Clucker would have negatively affected the team.

As for Aidan Carr's sending off, it was hardly a disgrace dangerous person. It was pure frustration at the way the second half had panned out and while the ref had blown for a free he pushed marty in the back/neck, it was definately a yellow but not sure it warranted more than that. Wont matter anyway as by the time the qualifiers come it will be July and the suspension will be long up by that stage.

Maybe disgrace is a bit far, but for one of the more senior members of the team, he should have known better. It was petulent and cynical and I thought fully deserving of a red. We can't condone that sort of behaviour. Also, I think the rules are that he will have to miss at least one match for the county if there is no games during the course of the suspension, so he will miss the first round of qualifiers.