There is no chance of completing a full 24 fixtures over a minimum of 6 months, which basically covers every Monday! Also fogetting the July fortnight when the lovely Fir Buí go a-marching. Also forgetting where the championships are going to happen too.
Plus the fact they always seem to arrange the fixtures so the Ards travel to South Down teams or vice versa early in the season, when teams are struggling with numbers and not interested in travelling all that distance with bare bones of a team!
An idea would be to play every team once, and maybe break division into 2, like the SPL in soccer, which would cut down on potential tankings, and give teams a better idea of where they stand coming into championship...

beansycpn (Down) - Posts: 128 - 05/02/2013 11:34:00    1328861

I heard no final decisions were made about the league structures on Saturday night? Any updates....

Gaelforce1 (Down) - Posts: 36 - 05/02/2013 13:04:28    1328923

bgeal to be honest I dinny think that wood work either as the championship would interfere and there would be the 3 Ards club and a n other in the top 4 which would no be fair on the other clubs ie junior clubs who to be honest wood be laced in most games. i still think ye need 2 divisions.

cahill (None) - Posts: 2567 - 05/02/2013 14:34:46    1329001

Cahill for once has a point a agree with. It's hard to judge what way the league would pan out. I agree that some teams would take some serious hammerings from the Ards second teams, although some people would argue that its the only way to develop. I for one don't think thats the best way. Im not sure about a league final idea either, I think if you finish top of the leauge you win it. Simple. Would be harsh on a team that went all year winning games and the only one they lost was the league final.

Two divisions played, playing one off games finishing the league up, running into Betsy/McCrickard then into Junior/Intermediate/Senior Championships could be an idea altho im not sure it's a good one!

the_guvner (Down) - Posts: 318 - 06/02/2013 09:19:36    1329373

Its a difficult one to call as on one hand you want to ensure all adult players are getting sufficient games, but also want to try and make sure the games remain competitive. I think this year if its a one round league, that gives approx 12 games. Then what ever way it works after that. Possibly championship grades based on league standings?

bgael (None) - Posts: 211 - 07/02/2013 12:58:00    1330000

at least the league will be completed! Although small amount of games wont encourage are really develop players.

Bigsheep (Down) - Posts: 290 - 07/02/2013 13:41:24    1330018

bgael
going from last year the 2 leagues had 7 teams each so do the maths 6x2=12, but then some games weren't played but that is not the point, the emphasize should be on playing the games

Christy4Down (Down) - Posts: 177 - 07/02/2013 13:59:32    1330029

Christy, go ahead and read what i wrote, thats what i said, with an extra bit about keeping games close which is good for the development and progression of the game. Some games each season may not be played, but hopefully this is due to weather etc, as opposed to teams not being able to field or just not bothering for fear of a hammering!

bgael (None) - Posts: 211 - 07/02/2013 14:46:01    1330069

With most teams struggling with numbers etc the only real hammerings should/will occur when teams travel to the Ards. Maybe play all those fixtures at the start of the year at the weekend and get them out of the way lol!

In all seriousness it's a tough call to organise this year based on clubs being in such a difficult position. You only have to look at the lack of teams competing in the Tain league to know some must be in trouble. Even if teams don't put all their efforts into that competition it can be used as pre-season practice.

Hope we can get through this year with no teams folding, which we could all do without.

St_Peters (Down) - Posts: 85 - 07/02/2013 15:17:52    1330095

is that wee side Mourne any closer to senior level. They were in downpatrick last fri with the 16s they have some fine big hurlers another new senior side would be great in Kilkeel . They had some fine players in yesteryear

throwdarts (Down) - Posts: 99 - 07/02/2013 17:08:12    1330165

It'll be a good few years before that Mourne side gets to senior level, I think they're just breaking into minor age. St Pauls and Downpatrick are also working towards having hurling squads in the future too.

That meeting was last Saturday but nothing definitive out so far! Again its all down to some of the clubs really struggling for numbers, particularly Ballela and Kilclief. Liatroim and Castlewellan seem to have the numbers but have to rely on minors to have a team. Clonduff and Warrenpoint are steadily improving both in numbers and skill

BarrackBuster (Down) - Posts: 525 - 10/02/2013 11:51:26    1331274

I heard the Ports had a lad from Limerick training them yesterday is that true? Was in Dublin yesterday so I just heard. If so may be a step forward!

cahill (None) - Posts: 2567 - 10/02/2013 19:42:45    1331638

Ballycran playing Shamrocks in Div 2 on Saturday according to the Irish News.

What's that about?

Frank Mitchell (Down) - Posts: 1082 - 27/02/2013 10:55:56    1339723

I hear its a game from last year that has to be finished. Complete joke.

the_guvner (Down) - Posts: 318 - 27/02/2013 11:41:55    1339752

Did the Newry/Ballycran game take place last weekend? I see Ballela are due to play Newry this weekend. Might be worth going to watch.

the_guvner (Down) - Posts: 318 - 06/03/2013 13:05:07    1343941

no think that is a minor league game - being played this weekend.

Bigsheep (Down) - Posts: 290 - 06/03/2013 13:28:20    1343974

Long time since Ballela had a minor team.

Frank Mitchell (Down) - Posts: 1082 - 06/03/2013 14:22:38    1344050

It's a senior game I believe.

the_guvner (Down) - Posts: 318 - 06/03/2013 14:41:04    1344075

League fixtures are currently being drawn up and should be completed soon. Due to start Easter Monday 1st April I believe

BarrackBuster (Down) - Posts: 525 - 06/03/2013 15:04:33    1344103

Any word barrack on whether its one or two leagues?

Gaelforce1 (Down) - Posts: 36 - 07/03/2013 18:45:39    1344953