dj27legend

Does this mean Dromara may be promoted instead of St. Johns ?????

allseeingeye (Down) - Posts: 66 - 22/10/2008 22:55:14    124553

Dj27legend

With that logic should Carryduff and Ardglass be thrown out of the league? Both sides have 2 meaningless league games to fulfil but they will not be played as the league has now gone into playoffs. Other teams throughout the Divisions e.g Glenn, Darragh Cross, Bright have one unfulfilled fixtures which, these games are meaningless and look like they are not being played, will these teams be punished.

A.Derg (Down) - Posts: 67 - 23/10/2008 10:10:18    124707

Lets be frank, the county board sets out to guarantee at least 20 games a season to footballers which is the envy of every county in ulster, why would st johns not fulfil the fixture, they have 2 teams plus are into ulster and could do with a challenge game (beats training) and the Finn simply love the game, they just want to play. Why deny them, perhaps St Johns think they are above playing them or maybe they are scared after the last game. Bottom line they are denying the Finn their 20 games.

A Derg your argument doesnt stack up for the higher divisions as they have already met their 20 game quota. This being the case St Johns should be met with the relevant punishment.

WestDownGael (Down) - Posts: 207 - 23/10/2008 12:32:09    124872

Westdowngael

i'm not arguing that "meaningless" matches should not be played. I'm just pointing out what appears to be happening; the season has dragged on longer than expected, fixtures that directly affect playoff positions are being played and subsequently playoff matches are being fixed as quickly as possible to complete the leagues.

Of course the Finn deserve their final 2 league matches, i know they have been ridiculed but they should be appluaded for the effort and progress they have made. They really have come on a great deal and as you say they love playing the game, their committment is second to none and it is only a matter of time before they achieve a number of victories. I agree, perhaps St Johns do not want to the team to fall to them this season.

A.Derg (Down) - Posts: 67 - 23/10/2008 13:04:39    124910

if its true and rules have been broken action mst be taken by the county Board. st Johns cant get a hard luck attitude from county board cause of the fire at there Clubs. if this is wash under the table the county board cant inpose any of the rules that stand again

newryview (Down) - Posts: 748 - 23/10/2008 16:21:46    125217

the county board have decided to scrap these games to get on with the playoffs.. if they didnt then the playoffs would run into december mayb even longer!! have to agree with west downgael an newryview the rules are broken!! lets see what the county board will do!!

dj27legend (Down) - Posts: 641 - 23/10/2008 17:05:04    125285

Glassdrumman defeated Bredagh and Carryduff drew with Ardglass in the opening playoff games for div3

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 26/10/2008 16:50:57    126822

Div 1
Castlewellan join Kilcoo, Mayobridge, and Rostrevor in play-offs.

An Riocht to join Ballyholland being automatically relegated.

Div 2
Banbridge drew with Shamrocks to confirm their promotion play-off spot alongside Bryansford, Annaclone and Warrenpoint.

Kilcief defeated the Point to attain enough points to force relegation play-offs with Downpatrick and Tullylish.

Div 3
Glassdrumman hammered Bredagh and Carryduff and Ardglass drew. Glassdrumman must be favourites for promotion, who'll join them?

Bosco 3-05 0-12 St Michaels, St Michaels could be gone?

A.Derg (Down) - Posts: 67 - 27/10/2008 14:31:38    127262

It does appear St Johns may have a case to answer. There are no play-off games in division 4 and i do understand the county board wanting to get on with play-off games in the other divisions and thus not bothering with meaningless end of season games. But St Johns games with Aghaderg and The Finn were both scheduled games where they failed to field.

Mandown (Down) - Posts: 18 - 27/10/2008 22:46:15    127577

It does appear St Johns may have a case to answer. There are no play-off game in division 4 and i do understand the county board wanting to get on with play-off games in the other divisions and thus not bothering with meaningless end of season games. But St Johns games with Aghaderg and The Finn were both scheduled games where they failed to field.

Mandown (Down) - Posts: 18 - 27/10/2008 23:03:26    127592

i totally agree mandown. this will show if our county board is serious in cutting down on rule breaking. if they try to cover this up they are only making it more difficult for themselves. i know that the bosco will be fighting against it + i think the 3rd placed team (Dromara)in 4 have a point also. it could mean promotion for them

newryview (Down) - Posts: 748 - 28/10/2008 15:51:29    128076

if this is indeed true in that St Johns failed to field against the Finn, it is extremely foolish on their part and in fact stinks of arrogance, they portrayed a similar arrogance in not fielding against Aghaderg earlier in the season. It will be interesting to see if they are punished? But surely if they are I can't see it affecting any present Div 3 sides involved in relegation play-offs, the end conclusion would see Dromara promoted by default?

A.Derg (Down) - Posts: 67 - 28/10/2008 16:14:25    128120

St Johns claim they turned up with a ref for an earlier fixed match away to The Finn and the ref deemed the pitch playable even thou the council had closed the pitch due to adverse weather. St Johns attempted to claim the points but the county board accepted that the council had closed the pitch and re-fixed the match. I have nothing to gain or lose by this. I Just happen to know the facts. Fact : Council had closed Finn pitch when originally fixed and no ref in the county can over rule the council. Fact : The county broad re-fixed the match and St Johns refused to field. Fact: St Johns applied to county board for the right to play a challenge match on same weekend they were due to play Finn. County board refused as they had a scheduled league fixture.
Why did St Johns feel the need to claim the point from The Finn?? Why not give some fringe players a game in a match which is meaningless??

Mandown (Down) - Posts: 18 - 28/10/2008 17:29:51    128201

wel mandown if as you sayyour facts are true i think it spells the end for st johns and div 3 next year. if the law is not layed down the county board are just opening more problems for themselves like last year when Drumgath got to rightly stay up. the rulebook stats that if a team fails to field in 2 or more games they are out of the league and championship.(what a silly mess st johns have put themselves into)

newryview (Down) - Posts: 748 - 28/10/2008 20:46:59    128363

the council pitch at annsboro was not closed by the ddc, it was closed by the groundsman a former member of st johns and not anymore thank god. He would not let the game go ahead that night because he was saving the pitches for the castlewellwan 7s, the pitches were marked out for the 7s, complete with small goals.fact.

noway (Down) - Posts: 6 - 28/10/2008 21:54:04    128388

A.Derg
I understand what you are saying about arrogance.
Perhaps St Johns did not see Aghlisnafinn as a challenge!!
From a Finn perspective they would not want to gain 2 points in the Board room.
For all the commitment and training these lads have put in over the year it is all about game time.
Talking of game time!! Maybe the St Johns lads needed a rest given the fact 9 of the starting 15 in the junior championship final played last week for their reserves in the EDRL semi final against Castlewellan 3rds.

Mandown (Down) - Posts: 18 - 28/10/2008 22:48:14    128435

I imagine like most contentious decisions the Co Board are asked to make that this like the rest will be swept neatly under the carpet; with St Johns playing their Ulster Championship game on Sun (the best of luck, Down football really needs to do something at Ulster Club level) and playing in Div 3 next year.

A.Derg (Down) - Posts: 67 - 29/10/2008 09:14:46    128565

It really is a sorry state of play. But correct me if i'm wrong, did Dundrum not fail to field twice this year??? I genuinelt feel sorry for the Finn, a great bunch of lads by all accounts that just want to play footy. ITs a credit to tehm that they keep at it when they could have done what killyleagh did and call it a day. I can't get my head round why St Johns would organise a friendly for the same day they were meant to play the Finn, an utter disgrace.

WestDownGael (Down) - Posts: 207 - 29/10/2008 10:12:32    128624

If St.johns didnt want to fulfill any of their remaining fixtures after the championship when, then i seem to recall them playing their closest rivals dromara a week later in ballykinlar. After that win they were presented with the division 4 cup. As for playing 9 seniors against castlewellan in the reserves 5 of those players are either still at minor level or just left minors. It is hard enough for rural clubs to compete against larger town clubs at any grade so fair play to them.

Edgeofsquare (Down) - Posts: 1 - 29/10/2008 12:00:38    128708

St Johns named 32 players in the match program for the Junior championship final. Not only did the play 9 seniors against Castlewellan 3rds but 9 of the starting 15 from that final. Seems to me there is a lot of guys not getting football in St Johns. How long will they remain happy??? Taking the sport out of the sport!!! By the way St Johns closest rivals would be Aghlisnafin. And no one suggested St Johns didn't wanna play games after the junior championship success.

Mandown (Down) - Posts: 18 - 29/10/2008 16:42:27    129051