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We can't go on the way we're going and you can't start from senior level you need to start from the bottom and work your way up. Kerry, Dublin, Tyrone have all done it and it works. We need to address what needs to be done instead of just complaining about it.
Firstly, what about the supporters coming together for a public meeting? Holding our county board to account and see exactly what the situation is from managing regimes to financial status of Down. These are the type of things we are kept in the dark about. Things need to be transparent and the down supporters need to be unanimous in their support to wanting to bring Down forward collectively as a county. Should we be putting pressure on the county board to call a meeting? Should we be doing it ourselves? Should our heroes of 91/94 step in? We need action to be taken and the supporters need to be the ones taking it.
Secondly, we recognise that underage is a problem? Why? Because of the structure. At the minute we have 40+ members on a panel - it's ludicrous! We can't even provide them with buses to matches and kits. Where has our sense of pride gone? Why is it a financial strain to now play for the county with the development squads? Where is the money going that is given to down for the development squads? Forget giving all clubs a fair deal and having a few players from every club, if we want to produce results we need 30 elite players who we focus on and nurture. We need people in charge that players respect and look up to. No disrespect to the lads there they're doing their bit for the cause but are they motivating the boys enough? Are they people our development squads look up to with admiration and passion? Simply, no. Although I do know Benny had under 16 and wee James had minors but we need more like this
Related to that point - I attended an event in Drumaness with the 91 team. I talked to a few of them and the conversation was centred around how we move down forward and what struck me was that these former players have plans, have willingness, have the expertise and have the passion - yet they said they haven't been asked by the county board to get involved and therefore haven't, and some of those who have showed an interest have been turned away. Surely, these are the lads we need involved, they truly are the elite of the county haven't they the medals to prove it!! So why aren't we getting these lads on board? Why aren't we giving lads role models? We talk about the 'Down way', the 91 lads willing to get involved are the epitome of the down way - why are we so afraid to go back to basics and build from scratch?
Bottom line, we've done enough moaning about it, what about some action? What about a bit of scrutiny? What about a bit of camaraderie and striving to put pride back into dawning the red and black jerseys? Change isn't always bad, the nature and demands of the game have change and so must Down if they wish to keep up, one things for sure if we don't come together to alter things, they're only going to get worse.
topdownfan (Down) - Posts: 555 - 20/07/2016 15:54:11
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Kevin McKernan thinks Down are the only county without a full squad to choose from?? LOL
In all seriousness though, I can't help but look at the work Pete McGrath has done with Fermanagh and wonder why his own county aren't harassing him daily to come back and bring some belief into the jersey again. Who wouldn't sign up for Pete? and he'd have a bigger talent pool to choose from than Fermanagh.
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 20/07/2016 16:11:27
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Replying To SaffronDon: "Kevin McKernan thinks Down are the only county without a full squad to choose from?? LOL
In all seriousness though, I can't help but look at the work Pete McGrath has done with Fermanagh and wonder why his own county aren't harassing him daily to come back and bring some belief into the jersey again. Who wouldn't sign up for Pete? and he'd have a bigger talent pool to choose from than Fermanagh." To be honest don't think Pete would want to come back after the way he was treated before he went to Fermanagh
topdownfan (Down) - Posts: 555 - 20/07/2016 18:36:29
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Replying To topdownfan: "We can't go on the way we're going and you can't start from senior level you need to start from the bottom and work your way up. Kerry, Dublin, Tyrone have all done it and it works. We need to address what needs to be done instead of just complaining about it.
Firstly, what about the supporters coming together for a public meeting? Holding our county board to account and see exactly what the situation is from managing regimes to financial status of Down. These are the type of things we are kept in the dark about. Things need to be transparent and the down supporters need to be unanimous in their support to wanting to bring Down forward collectively as a county. Should we be putting pressure on the county board to call a meeting? Should we be doing it ourselves? Should our heroes of 91/94 step in? We need action to be taken and the supporters need to be the ones taking it.
Secondly, we recognise that underage is a problem? Why? Because of the structure. At the minute we have 40+ members on a panel - it's ludicrous! We can't even provide them with buses to matches and kits. Where has our sense of pride gone? Why is it a financial strain to now play for the county with the development squads? Where is the money going that is given to down for the development squads? Forget giving all clubs a fair deal and having a few players from every club, if we want to produce results we need 30 elite players who we focus on and nurture. We need people in charge that players respect and look up to. No disrespect to the lads there they're doing their bit for the cause but are they motivating the boys enough? Are they people our development squads look up to with admiration and passion? Simply, no. Although I do know Benny had under 16 and wee James had minors but we need more like this
Related to that point - I attended an event in Drumaness with the 91 team. I talked to a few of them and the conversation was centred around how we move down forward and what struck me was that these former players have plans, have willingness, have the expertise and have the passion - yet they said they haven't been asked by the county board to get involved and therefore haven't, and some of those who have showed an interest have been turned away. Surely, these are the lads we need involved, they truly are the elite of the county haven't they the medals to prove it!! So why aren't we getting these lads on board? Why aren't we giving lads role models? We talk about the 'Down way', the 91 lads willing to get involved are the epitome of the down way - why are we so afraid to go back to basics and build from scratch?
Bottom line, we've done enough moaning about it, what about some action? What about a bit of scrutiny? What about a bit of camaraderie and striving to put pride back into dawning the red and black jerseys? Change isn't always bad, the nature and demands of the game have change and so must Down if they wish to keep up, one things for sure if we don't come together to alter things, they're only going to get worse." Don' think any of these problems are unique to Down. Forget development squads they are simply there to keep all clubs represented and happy. What you need at each age level are selectors. real selectors not the GAA type who announces "trials" and "selects" players, something a bit more neutral and scientific. No harm in forty if its going somewhere sounds like each club is sending a quota to get extra training sessions. Selectors at all levels should know inside out the best players in the county end off and have total control and say over the make up of panels. If you have a system based on rewards for clubs or selectors riddled with nepotism etc you are onto a loser. Even my own county is guilty of this crap, just they have the numbers others don't.
arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4895 - 20/07/2016 20:24:52
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