Some nice cameos from the younger players. Obvious fitness issues. Still the old, old problems. Kickouts a disaster area, little pressure on Derry's restarts. The shooting was woeful as usual.

The goalkeeper makes me very nervous and he doesn't look like he's very big. One plus point the Down players look very comfortable on the ball and there is plenty of pace in the team. The returning players should help.

It'll be a relegation battle no doubt, a loss to either Clare or Offaly and we will need some unlikely wins against the favourites for promotion. The longest journey starts with the first step, here's hoping the destination is worth it.

Newmitch (Down) - Posts: 97 - 30/01/2022 16:54:35    2397219

Derry were the better team I admit but it's a shame Mooney's shot was cleared off the line early in the 2nd half. Also had we taken a few more of the handier frees it would have been much closer. In such a tight division the points difference at the end could prove vital.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1550 - 30/01/2022 19:50:24    2397287

germac (Down) - Posts: 535 - 30/01/2022 20:48:49    2397315

downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 30/01/2022 21:21:14    2397329

I will settle for using the league to blood some of those u-20's that won Ulster. Keep them involved/committed to the County, add in some Kilcoo men and I think we could do alright.

Wee James has my full support.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1550 - 31/01/2022 17:30:03    2397561

Galway big favourites for the game at weekend. Let's hope the boys rebound and take a leaf out of Monaghans book who dealt very well with the favourites Tyrone last week.

downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 02/02/2022 20:28:42    2398037

Listening to Galway fans views they appear to be a big strong team with an edge in the fitness stakes. All the things that Down don't like in an opposition.
The bad news for Down continues in that Galway have a good midfield pairing. They'll push up on the Down kick outs and if the home team can't at least break even here it will be a very long night for local fans.
I hope we see more kicking and Down using their pace to get their scores. We won't have the Kilcoo contingent and this is a team full of young players so I don't expect a win.
If we can post a decent score ie more than our usual 13/14 points that would be a bonus, though the weather won't help here. At least we'll get to see a Rolls Royce of a player in Shane Walsh, worth the admission price just to see him in action.

Newmitch (Down) - Posts: 97 - 04/02/2022 16:36:47    2398328

Resident in Northern Ireland, and trying to buy tickets for the Down v Galway game a website tells me to try my local Super Valu or Centra store or buy them online or travel to the County offices in Newcastle or wherever.
Well Super Valu and Centra seem to only sell tickets in the Republic of Ireland. I don't drive so the County office is out.

You can't buy tickets outside the ground anymore. If you don't have a smart phone, computer and printer and know a basic amount of tech good luck to you. The GAA are using a slogan at the moment, "The Game is for everyone". That's nice to know that.

Newmitch (Down) - Posts: 97 - 18/02/2022 17:58:32    2401019

Rory Burns replaces Gary McMahon in goals. Gerard Collins is restored to his place in the back line in place of Brendan McArdle. Caolán Mooney is named as a half back and Ruairí McCormack is named to the half forward line. Pat Havern and Jack Mccartan replace C Mc Cartan and Kevin McKernan who went off against Galway with an injury if I recall correctly.

Meath are below Down in the League table on goal difference and they will be targeting this game as a chance to get their first points. This game and the one against Offaly are must wins otherwise you will need to win a much tougher game against, Roscommon, Clare or Cork to have any chance of avoiding relegation.

I think Down can get something from this game as Meath seem to be in as much disarray as Down. It took Meath 45 minutes to score against Galway so it won't be a score fest but there are goals in this Down team. I go for a Down win.

Newmitch (Down) - Posts: 97 - 19/02/2022 17:28:58    2401114

A hard game to predict on current form . I Expect Meath will fancy their chances at home.

downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 19/02/2022 19:29:39    2401144

Poor again, time to sharpen up, it's a short season.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8597 - 19/02/2022 21:12:55    2401167

downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 26/02/2022 18:56:44    2402543

Dissapointing performance from Down
Carried the ball and were turned over many times
Badlly need some of the Kilcoo lads hopefully involved

rhudson (Galway) - Posts: 1478 - 27/02/2022 11:37:45    2402645

We saw the difference between a team and a collection of players. I was impressed by Roscommon, they played much better than Galway did against Down, although the gale force winds didn't help Galway.
Roscommon are very well coached, have an excellent midfield, are inventive in attack, support each other well and run some beautiful attacking lines. Down could learn a lot from them.
I thought Liam Kerr was excellent, a player of great promise. Pat Havern looks a useful addition in the forward line as does young Gilmore. I was disappointed by our defending, fifteen men behind the ball and yet Roscommon had no trouble finding space, running through the heart of our defence unopposed.
We put no pressure on the Roscommon players never got close to them. Down are supposed to be afraid of missing out on the All Ireland series and ending up in the Tailteann Cup, I'd say playing in the All-Ireland would be an embarrassing experience given the current state of Down football.

Newmitch (Down) - Posts: 97 - 27/02/2022 13:16:41    2402678

What's the story with the Kilcoo lads not playing for the county?

If you look at them Brannigan's or that big midfielder, Morgan(?), they would make a big difference. Its great going out and hammering Saval & Longstone and the like, marking no one, why don't they push themselves and play intercounty against the likes of Tyrone/Donegal etc.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 09/03/2022 10:58:43    2404577

Looks like Downs injury list has grown since their last match and short on numbers to train. Not a helpful position to be in before important relegation 4 pointer

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3356 - 09/03/2022 11:06:22    2404582

Jofus (Down) - Posts: 248 - 09/03/2022 19:15:13    2404685

downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 09/03/2022 19:24:22    2404686

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 10/03/2022 12:48:12    2404763

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 706 - 11/03/2022 14:56:55    2404946