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Replying To Cbar: "Why is it nonsense that people moaned about the Kilcoo lads not playing for their county?" The fact was there were kilcoo lads playing and have been for years off all the kilcoo lads on the panel this is the first year for 3 off them and 1 off them was captain of the county u20s the last couple of years, so really only 2 our new to this, so the moans were not justified. i suppose you can't keep everyone happy, don't let the truth get in the way of a good story. Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 730 - 09/03/2023 21:12:05 2463092 Link
Hi Folks Carryduff GAC Co Down are fundraising to help get a third pitch up and running. It would be great to see and would be an enormous benefit to the whole community. Any donations would be very much appreciated. https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/Carryduff3for2023 JohnRua21 (Down) - Posts: 1 - 10/03/2023 11:22:30 2463141 Link
Replying To Cbar: "Why is it nonsense that people moaned about the Kilcoo lads not playing for their county?" Cbar this caused a lot of debate in Down, the fact that they didn't represent our great county and you are right to post this remark. In my opinion everyone who is good enough should be over the moon to play for that famous red and black jersey, as I was. But I am so happy that they have choosen to come back and I hope that our fortunes will change in the future. You are also right to say that a county of our stature should not be playing div 3 football but unfortunately we are. This is a fact. We just need to get behind the managment team and players as I have always believed that the talent is there. It's is just about nurturing it and bringing it on step by step. It's going to be a process that will not take place over night but I believe that this manager has all the necessary skills to see it through. Ronanthehammer (Down) - Posts: 48 - 10/03/2023 11:41:55 2463154 Link
Replying To Jofus: "Cbarr, I don't know where germac is getting the impression that all is rosy in Down as there are as many against the new manager as for him. Showing too much allegiance to his club colleagues and up to their antics as well, which isn't a good thing. Got lucky with lates scores to win games but I for one see little progress." You clearly diddent read my post , nowhere does it say things are rosy, what i did say was that things arnt all doom and gloom I suggest you read other posts clearly before responding germac (Down) - Posts: 556 - 10/03/2023 21:43:35 2463288 Link
Replying To Newmitch: "Thanks for your kind wishes re Downs promotion chances. It's true if Westmeath and Down finish in a tie for second place, Down I believe would be promoted by virtue of having beaten Westmeath. However if Fermanagh beat Westmeath they will be promoted even if Down were to win their final two games as Fermanagh have beaten Down. If Westmeath, Fermanagh and Down all finished on the same points total, points difference would come into play and probably Westmeath would be promoted, unless Down can post huge winning scores in their last two fixtures. There is also a chance that Offaly could be promoted if they win their final two games and other results go their way. All to play for as the saying goes." Yes lots still to play for, Down be hoping Westmeath beat Fermanagh next week or its a draw game. After Westmeaths demolition of Antrim they be guaranteed promotion if 3 teams finished level now on 10 points. Should Fermanagh beat Westmeath then Offaly will really fancy their chances with Tipp to play and possibly a home game against a Down team (who might rotate players if promotion hopes gone), Offalys head to Head record would see them above Fermanagh if finish level with them on points. Cavan basically promoted already and likely will make chances though id argue that would strengthen their team if starting McKiernan and James Smith to give them more playing time before championship. Lots to play for over the next 2 weekends macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1143 - 11/03/2023 14:50:16 2463367 Link
The crowd numbers were down on earlier home games but in the circumstances, Ireland going for a first ever Dublin grand slam and Fermanaghs win against Westmeath slamming the door on Downs lingering promotion hopes, I thought there was a decent enough attendance. An early injury to Mark Walsh that led to a lengthy stoppage further deflated the atmosphere. The game itself was nip and tuck up to the break. The second half saw a change of goalkeeper for Down with Kilcoo net minder Niall Kane making an appearance. A penalty successfully scored by Liam Kerr turned the game in Downs favour. It wasn't a great game given the circumstances and the slippery underfoot conditions didn't help. Down posted a decent score against limited opposition and the players have to be commended for their efforts when the big prize of promotion disappeared a few hours earlier. Another win in the final game against Offaly would be welcome and a boost with a Championship game against Donegal on the horizon. Newmitch (Down) - Posts: 97 - 19/03/2023 18:25:09 2464856 Link
Replying To Newmitch: "The crowd numbers were down on earlier home games but in the circumstances, Ireland going for a first ever Dublin grand slam and Fermanaghs win against Westmeath slamming the door on Downs lingering promotion hopes, I thought there was a decent enough attendance. An early injury to Mark Walsh that led to a lengthy stoppage further deflated the atmosphere. The game itself was nip and tuck up to the break. The second half saw a change of goalkeeper for Down with Kilcoo net minder Niall Kane making an appearance. A penalty successfully scored by Liam Kerr turned the game in Downs favour. It wasn't a great game given the circumstances and the slippery underfoot conditions didn't help. Down posted a decent score against limited opposition and the players have to be commended for their efforts when the big prize of promotion disappeared a few hours earlier. Another win in the final game against Offaly would be welcome and a boost with a Championship game against Donegal on the horizon." Yes seen in reports that attendance was lower than previous games, as say weather and rugby likely factors. Noted the change of keeper and half time, was that due to the Longford goal before half time or just a change to give Kane a run out. Decent scoring tally in the conditions, I'm sure looking at Donegals results Laverty and Co be eyeing up that championship clash with confidence now. Tough game away against a motivated and emotional Offaly team in Tullamore, how driven will Down be to finish the league with a win, will they give fringe players or look to finish campaign with another win to build momentum for Ulster challenge? (I'm hoping it's the latter) macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1143 - 19/03/2023 18:50:28 2464864 Link
Replying To macca999: "Yes seen in reports that attendance was lower than previous games, as say weather and rugby likely factors. Noted the change of keeper and half time, was that due to the Longford goal before half time or just a change to give Kane a run out. Decent scoring tally in the conditions, I'm sure looking at Donegals results Laverty and Co be eyeing up that championship clash with confidence now. Tough game away against a motivated and emotional Offaly team in Tullamore, how driven will Down be to finish the league with a win, will they give fringe players or look to finish campaign with another win to build momentum for Ulster challenge? (I'm hoping it's the latter)" Im sure Laverty will want to win but will also want to give fringe players a run out, I do think he will be focused on C ship from here on, Its a massive challenge for Down given the fact that there is 2 divisons between the teams a dry calm day will be vital as it will suit our lads , so hopefully with a full house in Newry we just might shock Donegal germac (Down) - Posts: 556 - 21/03/2023 19:19:33 2465610 Link
Donegal seem to be in some disarray with problems in their Academy system and relegation from Division One looking highly likely, and reports that there us unrest in the dressing room. Those internal difficulties can play havoc with a teams form as Down supporters know only too well. In those circumstances I could have seen a Down win in Newry as not quite so far fetched, though it is still after all a Division Three team versus a Division One outfit. Now comes news that Paddy Carr the Donegal manager has resigned and the Donegal County board have called a meeting to discuss the Academy problem. Donegal could sort their Academy problem and install a management team more to the players liking in time to face Down in about a month's time. It's not leaving much time for a new setup but it is almost bound to lift the team and fans morale and if it entails the return of Jim McGuinness I'd fear for Downs chances. Newmitch (Down) - Posts: 97 - 23/03/2023 19:27:18 2466107 Link
Down have fallen short of the number one aim this year - getting back into Div 2. We have our hard luck stories but results are what count. Should we find ourselves playing Tailteann once again this summer then there's little doubt that Laverty's first year would be a failure. artisan (Down) - Posts: 1794 - 26/03/2023 17:05:21 2466772 Link
Replying To artisan: "Down have fallen short of the number one aim this year - getting back into Div 2. We have our hard luck stories but results are what count. Should we find ourselves playing Tailteann once again this summer then there's little doubt that Laverty's first year would be a failure." Not at all , this is Lavertys first year at this level we have won 5 out of 7 league games , if we dont make an Ulster final which we all know is a big ask then a Tailteann cup is a realistic target there is no doubt we re making progress germac (Down) - Posts: 556 - 26/03/2023 17:31:49 2466793 Link
Replying To germac: "Not at all , this is Lavertys first year at this level we have won 5 out of 7 league games , if we dont make an Ulster final which we all know is a big ask then a Tailteann cup is a realistic target there is no doubt we re making progress" I didn't say we made no progress but staying in Div 3 and playing second teir championship football is a failure by any reasonable measure. 5 from 7 is irrelevant when you're playing Div 3 football. Donegal in Newry will tell us more, hopefully we can turn things around. artisan (Down) - Posts: 1794 - 26/03/2023 17:50:12 2466805 Link
Id certainly say Down have made some improvements under Laverty, obviously promotion was huge objective for the year ad they will feel slightly unlucky to have missed out, a last minute goal to Fermanagh was a costly one. Before recent events in Donegal, Down would have came in slightly under radar but id say expectation of a victory in Newry is building by the week macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1143 - 26/03/2023 18:32:00 2466837 Link
That last minute loss to Fermanagh has really come back to haunt us!!! Ronanthehammer (Down) - Posts: 48 - 27/03/2023 11:40:08 2467005 Link
You'd be absolutely mad to say there's been no progress made, the squad last year were far far from a "team". I'm sure the lads can speak for themselves and say that this is probably the best and most professional set up a lot of them have been involved in. We won't see any real rewards for another 2/3 years in my opinion but this is all part and partial of it. I for one was glad to see eugene Brannigan kick 3 from play there against Offaly, people can say the manager is favouring the Kilcoo lads or he's leaving boys out but if they are the ones putting in the work and training hard then they should get there chances no matter who they are. Our county football is in the best place it's been in a long long time, as real down men it's only right to get behind the lads and drive them on even more. Bring on Donegal! Antrimroad (Down) - Posts: 119 - 27/03/2023 17:43:28 2467148 Link
A great win for the u20s to the reigning u20 all Ireland champs Antrimroad (Down) - Posts: 119 - 30/03/2023 15:17:50 2467839 Link
Club football back tonight. Carryduff strolled to an 11 point win over Bredagh. Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 14/04/2023 20:19:54 2471026 Link
while a Leinster man and always looked out for my neighbours Laois, it surprised/saddened me to see Down suffer such a heavy defeat to Laois in JMCD cup on Sunday 16th April. We need all 3 top hurling counties in Ulster to be strong in particular. Down would be one of the 3 teams. I know the club set up and its very small in Down. Hopefully they will regroup and reassert themselves in the JMCD cup and the next National league etc. Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1037 - 17/04/2023 10:34:06 2471313 Link
Big match coming up - predictions? A great opportunity to take down what has been an Ulster Kingpin for past 10 odd years - and it can be done, they are there for the taking Cbar (Mayo) - Posts: 332 - 17/04/2023 16:31:03 2471418 Link
Replying To Cbar: "Big match coming up - predictions? A great opportunity to take down what has been an Ulster Kingpin for past 10 odd years - and it can be done, they are there for the taking" Donegal are the bookies favourites and despite a shambles of a year should be too good for Down who are only starting out tbf. PeterQ92 (Donegal) - Posts: 115 - 17/04/2023 21:45:34 2471470 Link