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Down management

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Meeting in Down tomorrow night ,reguarding ,Senior and Minor ,management teams, I know the minor job is up for grabs, but as for senior team,it seems to be the case that James wants to stay on, As a player he was on of the best we ever seen and will always be a Down great, But for me ,and i know he pulled us out of a hole last season, he should step aside, I have been following Down for donkeys years and never seen moral as low , A host of players voted with their feet and walked away, Equally the stands in Pairc Esler were almost empty, So supporters voting with their feet as well , Hopefully the county excutive , put whats right for Down front and center of their outcome, and personalites left at the door, IF they can do that i think we will move in the right direction germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 24/07/2022 10:30:38 2433847 Link
Replying To germac: "Meeting in Down tomorrow night ,reguarding ,Senior and Minor ,management teams, I know the minor job is up for grabs, but as for senior team,it seems to be the case that James wants to stay on, As a player he was on of the best we ever seen and will always be a Down great, But for me ,and i know he pulled us out of a hole last season, he should step aside, I have been following Down for donkeys years and never seen moral as low , A host of players voted with their feet and walked away, Equally the stands in Pairc Esler were almost empty, So supporters voting with their feet as well , Hopefully the county excutive , put whats right for Down front and center of their outcome, and personalites left at the door, IF they can do that i think we will move in the right direction" If not wee James, who do you favour? FiorDunach (Down) - Posts: 72 - 24/07/2022 18:10:12 2433969 Link
Serious comma issues here! ardmhacha (Armagh) - Posts: 172 - 24/07/2022 18:42:26 2433985 Link
First thing i would do is drop all the non committed, trouble makers that have infested this once proud county team. Take a left from Derry's book. Secondly don't pick any Kilcoo players if they aren't buying into the team on a long term basis. The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 25/07/2022 12:26:19 2434188 Link
Replying To The_Fridge: "First thing i would do is drop all the non committed, trouble makers that have infested this once proud county team. Take a left from Derry's book. Secondly don't pick any Kilcoo players if they aren't buying into the team on a long term basis." Yea agree with all that , and its a leaf out of Derrys book i want them to take, get a man in who is going to pull everyone together as Gallagher did, Any player from whatever club that dosent want to commit, or trouble makers, pack your bags germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 25/07/2022 19:19:05 2434417 Link
Replying To germac: "Yea agree with all that , and its a leaf out of Derrys book i want them to take, get a man in who is going to pull everyone together as Gallagher did, Any player from whatever club that dosent want to commit, or trouble makers, pack your bags" An oak leaf some might say............ The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 26/07/2022 15:36:44 2434622 Link
What is happening in Down football? Now in D3 and not sure when you won an Ulster last. As a county that has produced some of the finest footballers that ever played (Mickey Linden was an idol of mine as a young fella) and the club champions from the county, Down should be at the very least competitive in Ulster and the AI series... can anyone shed some light to an outsider? Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 308 - 27/07/2022 09:36:16 2434748 Link
Replying To Cbar: "What is happening in Down football? Now in D3 and not sure when you won an Ulster last. As a county that has produced some of the finest footballers that ever played (Mickey Linden was an idol of mine as a young fella) and the club champions from the county, Down should be at the very least competitive in Ulster and the AI series... can anyone shed some light to an outsider?" i suppose it depends on who you speek to ,, in and around 2010 when we got to the AI final, that was a team that should have won a few Ulsters, and possibly that AI only for a couple of injuries , from then on things seem to have gone down hill, For some reason not really competing at under age level, Recent past managers will tell you no matter what they asked for, reguarding training, meals , physios, gear, weekends away, nothing was a problem, For me its player turnover, we cant get a settled panel or players to commit to the long haul, im talking 7 8 years, of course some do but not enough, i do think the players arethere to deliver an Ulster , If we could get that monkey off our back we will get stronger , Club football in Down is massive , C ship starting mid August, and big crowds will be going, so its not the lack of interest, Right now as you know Wee James has stepped away, If we could appoint the right man now, and a good backroom team , i think the players will commit ,and hopefully we will take foward strides germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 27/07/2022 20:35:50 2434971 Link
Personally I think the whole Down gaa from top to bottom needs a shake up the County board has failed us, the man that should be handed the job is Conor Laverty of kilcoo. If you look at the likes of Donegal where Jim McGuinness was U21s Manager before taking senior job and only recently Padraig Joyce in galway was at first U21s Manager so for me Laverty is the Candidate he's had success with the U20s set up so those players should be blooded through, there is young quailty players in Down who could give us a few days out in croker and maybe deliver us an Ulster Title. JMac1879 (Down) - Posts: 3 - 28/07/2022 10:05:43 2435013 Link
Replying To JMac1879: "Personally I think the whole Down gaa from top to bottom needs a shake up the County board has failed us, the man that should be handed the job is Conor Laverty of kilcoo. If you look at the likes of Donegal where Jim McGuinness was U21s Manager before taking senior job and only recently Padraig Joyce in galway was at first U21s Manager so for me Laverty is the Candidate he's had success with the U20s set up so those players should be blooded through, there is young quailty players in Down who could give us a few days out in croker and maybe deliver us an Ulster Title." But the problem is that how many of those u20s will go on to play for the senior team long term. Sometimes only a handful make it through. Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1733 - 28/07/2022 12:09:03 2435051 Link
Replying To Cbar: "What is happening in Down football? Now in D3 and not sure when you won an Ulster last. As a county that has produced some of the finest footballers that ever played (Mickey Linden was an idol of mine as a young fella) and the club champions from the county, Down should be at the very least competitive in Ulster and the AI series... can anyone shed some light to an outsider?" Player turnover for sure has been a massive issue for over a decade. Spare the occasional generational taken, it takes about 3 to 4 years, give or take, to build a proper, resilient and robust inter-county footballer. How many men have succumbed to something a bit more palatable before they enter their prime? After a terrific 1999-2009 period, we were also not competitive at underage level for over a decade. Although there are recent signs that this could be changing. The substantial financial cost of being an inter-county footballer in a semi-professional era bears remembering, can some players literally ill-afford the 1% increases that top level sport necessitates? Management turnover has been shocking also. James McCartan's first reign in 2010, which started so promisingly, ended in a whimper in 2014. Jim McCorry came in with a reputation as long as your arm, but was promptly hounded out after a season. The late Eammon Burns (RIP) was ridiculed for much of his tenure, even though he reached an unlikely Ulster final, despite being in charge during one of the most talent-sparse eras in living memory. Paddy Tally's time coincided with COVID, he was highly regarded as a terrific coach and motivator, and there were signs we were not far away from turning a corner under him, but alas he too was thumbed out. James McCartan's second stint was a poisoned chalice. Nobody wanted the job. Had he not been pricked by a crisis of conscience or misguided loyalty, he, most likely, would never have taken it. The sound bites from players and ex-players in and outside the camp have painted a grim picture. A losing mentality, severe commitment issues among the modern Down footballer, a myriad of county board problems, scapegoating of the manager, trigger happy hirings and firings, men too attached to a free allocation of tickets to relinquish power for the greater good. A lot of these problems are not new. Many have been abundantly clear from 2011 onwards. There is a general malaise now, unsurprisingly, being exhibited by the once loyal fan base towards style of play. Our revolving door- like, fast food, McDown way of doing things. Our steadfast officials dripping in the greed of their precious claw full of tickets. With this maddening cycle continuing through every post-mortem that has been delivered since 2011, which of us is an authority to predict its conclusion? downwolf (Down) - Posts: 15 - 28/07/2022 12:52:03 2435062 Link
Replying To Galway9801: "But the problem is that how many of those u20s will go on to play for the senior team long term. Sometimes only a handful make it through." There is a Good few who have Made one or two appearances for the County Already and just need a bit of Consistency with a Good League Campaign Behind them. There is players in Down its just getting the Group Together and keeping them there. JMac1879 (Down) - Posts: 3 - 28/07/2022 17:40:48 2435144 Link
Replying To JMac1879: "Personally I think the whole Down gaa from top to bottom needs a shake up the County board has failed us, the man that should be handed the job is Conor Laverty of kilcoo. If you look at the likes of Donegal where Jim McGuinness was U21s Manager before taking senior job and only recently Padraig Joyce in galway was at first U21s Manager so for me Laverty is the Candidate he's had success with the U20s set up so those players should be blooded through, there is young quailty players in Down who could give us a few days out in croker and maybe deliver us an Ulster Title." I honastly dont think the co board has failed us, we are lucky enough to be one of the countys that whatever the manager wants ,he , his backroom team and players get no questions asked, that goes for all codes in Down, if any one needs a shake up its the players , im sure you would agree with that, But i do agree Laverty and his backroom team would do a first class job , and no stone would be left unturned, I hope the phone call has already been made , Finally if it is Laverty , that would be the end of his club football, he couldent do both germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 28/07/2022 20:54:54 2435163 Link
The problem with Down football is that we thought every 15-20 years we would turn up and win an AI with a couple of minor and U21's within these years. Football has changed it is structured, more professional, massively dependent on quality coaching and facilities to attain this. Down football has taken none of these on board. The fact that we have yet to develop a centre of excellence is proof of the above. Yes we will always produce outstanding individual footballers as we have done through the generations but this isn't enough. We have to produce a team of footballers who play to a system and are committed to the cause. This hasn't happened since 2010 and I think that team were fortunate to be in an AI final but unfortunate not to win it as injuries were a big factor. As for the new manager, the kilcoo connection would seriously annoy me as they have not enhanced county football in Down at all. Your whole aim as a footballer should be to represent your county if you are good enough. There are 5 or 6 of them would walk onto this team but old grudges have stifled this. On saying that if it Laverty could galvanise the county with the kilcoo boys on board I would be all for it, swallow my pride, for the good of County Down. By the way who does Mooney think he is???. A bit part footballer at his best to criticise wee James in that manner. Why did he need to go to the papers. Himself and Brannigan need to look up the words decorum, integrity and manners and apply them to their thought process. As for wee James thanks for the memories. What a player. The above pair should look at his medal haul as well as a few videos, there are plenty of them. Ronanthehammer (Down) - Posts: 48 - 29/07/2022 10:40:00 2435196 Link
Thanks for the feedback folks.. I can feel the frustration! Whatever route you go, whatever plan you take I hope you don't go down the road of negative, blanket defence football route that so many do.. Down have too much tradition of quality and flair.... Mickey Linden.. legend! Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 308 - 29/07/2022 11:23:49 2435204 Link
Replying To Cbar: "Thanks for the feedback folks.. I can feel the frustration! Whatever route you go, whatever plan you take I hope you don't go down the road of negative, blanket defence football route that so many do.. Down have too much tradition of quality and flair.... Mickey Linden.. legend!" Thanks Cbar "I can feel the frustration!" That is a term we in Down have been feeling for years. More frustrating is the fact that our best footballers don't want to play for the county. To think at one time we were revered all around the country, even by Kerry. Everywhere we went we brought excitement and full stadiums. What a mess!!!. Ronanthehammer (Down) - Posts: 48 - 29/07/2022 16:10:08 2435266 Link
It seems clear what Down need in a new manager; A Down man Experience of playing Senior football for Down over a lengthy period Experience of managing/coaching at a height level with a proven track record Good man management skills Respected by the players Good motivator and capable of getting best out of the players Wanting to play positive attacking football Capable of gaining the backing of all the county; players, supporters and administrators Unfortunately I'm not sure if such a person exists or would be available or willing to take on the tasks Perhaps others can think of someone FiorDunach (Down) - Posts: 72 - 29/07/2022 17:17:19 2435290 Link
If you want to get an idea of what is going on in Down football take a read of Ross Carr's article in the Irish News. Shambles just about sums it up. There's not just an Elephant in the Down football world, there's a herd of them. One of those Elephants is Ballykinlar. The cost with inflation must be going through the roof. The Meath County board have had to call a halt to the refurbishment of Pairc Tailteann in Navan because costs had increased by forty per cent and that was months ago and inflation and material costs like steel and concrete are escalating. Labour costs are shooting up. Does anyone know how Ballykinlar is being paid for, what part is being financed by Down or GAA HQ. Or more likely does the Down County board expect the bill to be picked up by the UK Government, ie taxpayers. Newmitch (Down) - Posts: 97 - 30/07/2022 17:21:08 2435467 Link
Replying To Newmitch: "If you want to get an idea of what is going on in Down football take a read of Ross Carr's article in the Irish News. Shambles just about sums it up. There's not just an Elephant in the Down football world, there's a herd of them. One of those Elephants is Ballykinlar. The cost with inflation must be going through the roof. The Meath County board have had to call a halt to the refurbishment of Pairc Tailteann in Navan because costs had increased by forty per cent and that was months ago and inflation and material costs like steel and concrete are escalating. Labour costs are shooting up. Does anyone know how Ballykinlar is being paid for, what part is being financed by Down or GAA HQ. Or more likely does the Down County board expect the bill to be picked up by the UK Government, ie taxpayers." not sure where to start here , Firstly Ross was on of my favourite players ever, giving his all every time he pulled on our famous Down jersey , but to blame almost everyone else is a cop out, hopefully in next weeks Irish news he will outline exactly what needs to be done to get us back to the top table, Next whatever the Meath co board are doing or not doing, the price of steel or concrete , i couldend give 1 monkeys 40 pc up or 40 pc down whatever that has to do with us in Down i dont know , Reguarding Ballykinlar who gives a rats ass who pays for it, the uk government , the tax payer , who cares as long as its built germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 30/07/2022 20:53:23 2435533 Link
Any developments? FiorDunach (Down) - Posts: 72 - 06/08/2022 13:09:22 2436418 Link