How are you meant to know whether the Rostrevor management is good or not. They are in the senior league this year and it is massive step up. Therefore any team that gets hammered by clonduff (county champions) should sack their managements. Rostrevor have been plagued with injuries this year between magee the under 16 and russel who got injured again against clonduff and a number of others. Whoever took on the job as rostrevor manager knew it was going to be difficult and i dont think you can expect them to come up to seniors and win all round them, this is only thier 3rd year in existance.

They were winning at half time and then a gale force wind picked up, they have good players and good management they just need experiance. No one called for Burren's management to be sacked and they didnt win a game yet rostrevor have already won one game.

down.sup. (Down) - Posts: 19 - 18/05/2009 15:50:57    286691

I agree Down Sup, calling for the ousting of management isn't the answer. Personally I think all that is needed with Rostrevor is time. Its not only Rostrevor who have been struggling, so Gael shouldn't panic... Lots of teams have been struggling for results.
Annaclone are finding it tough this year with a low turn out of numbers, Downpatrick struggled at the start of the season but have had a few good results in the past weeks. Saval had a strong start to the league but have stuttered a little. The good thing about the Senior League in Down is everyone is beatable.

Rostrevor definately shouldn't lose heart, they'll get a result for all the efforts eventually! And none of
the other teams think they are guaranteed 2points off them.

On to this weekend - anyone predict any upsets in the Quarter Finals????
Bredagh v Bryansford
Clonduff v Downpatrick
Carryduff v Annaclone
Saval v Rostrevor

leg_end (Down) - Posts: 62 - 18/05/2009 16:25:40    286755

Excuse me down.sup. Burren didnt have any management to sack last year and they did in fact win a game against Annaclone as well... Get your facts right before you come on to this board slabbering...................

Burrenman (Down) - Posts: 36 - 18/05/2009 17:50:38    286894

My apoligies Burrenman i just heard that Burren didnt win therefore im sorry. I was just defending management teams in general not any specific attack on Burren it was just to show that Managers shouldnt be sacked.

Any thoughts on the championship this weekend?

down.sup. (Down) - Posts: 19 - 18/05/2009 18:15:10    286928

It has been a while i know but i am here to eat a huge slice of humble pie... Congratulations to the ladies senior team on their fantastic achievement winning promotion from division two and then topping it all off by winning the league against tipperary... This is what hard work and dedication does for ya - and these girls have put in the hours god knows... Its great to see Michaela Downey and Elaine Mc Court getting the senior national title their football deserves for the years they have put in..... I hope these girls stick around next year because when playing Cork, Mayo, Monaghan and the likes they will need all the experience they can get.... Good luck to them anyhow for the rest of the summer...

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 18/05/2009 21:41:23    287153

about time too singer.... What about the management - do they not deserve credit for their part in this victory?? Or are you just doing a Rafa Benitez on this one and praising the team and not the management???

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 18/05/2009 22:51:53    287246

The girls done ok yeah but their performance in the league final would hardly have the big guns in Ulster shaking... Im sure Monaghan and Donegal are sitting at home rubbing their hands thinking about drifting through that defence...Talking about Michaela - yeah she was a great servant but could have cost the team the game. When she was switched to midfield - her player ran riot. Pyers was outstanding - she didnt connect with everything she hit but a real class act when on top of her game. If she can leave the corner forward berth as she did on so many occasions and tackle - i dont see why michaela cant...... Another class act is the captain Eliza Downey. This girl has it all - strength, pace, a presence (for someone who is not the tallest player) and can work like a demon. But for me the best player on the field of play and quite an unsung hero of this ladies team was Lisa Morgan. Now this is a player with real class. She has had her problems with injury in the past - but looks to be in the shape of her career at the minute. I just hope she can maintain her current form into the championship. The management - well credit where it is due - they are the first to have won a senior title with the ladies, they are the first to get them promoted, they have assembled a strong squad of players together from all clubs and all divisions (take note mens management), they have the girls fit and tuned in.... But rumour has it they are not staying at the helm next season. Well if this is true - the county board should be at their doors every night from now until they sign up for next season. These men are exactly what down ladies needed and with all the stinging criticism they have taken from various people - they have remained undeterred in their preparation of the team. Letting these two go would be a major step back for the ladies and the county board need to realise this and act quickly. Im sure there will be many offers for their services from clubs and indeed mayb boys county minors - so act now.

singers_son (Down) - Posts: 2 - 19/05/2009 09:05:51    287451

Bryansford to beat bredga
Clonduff to beat Dpk
Carryduff to beat Annaclone
Saval to beat Rostrevor

Burren to beat bright
Kilcoo to beat Shamrocks
Ballymartin win

Burrenman (Down) - Posts: 36 - 19/05/2009 11:06:08    287557

No - i have no praise for that duo - and as for singers son saying clubs will be in for them and county minors - they are welcome to them... i realise it took huge committment for th ladies to win this league but please dont lose sight of the clubs here. We haven seen our girls in ages and then when they do arrive to training - they are told they are not allowed to train or are too tired to take part in the session...... So remind me again - how are these two good for ladies football.... Club football is disappearing fast in Down and its in no small part due to these two...

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 19/05/2009 11:17:15    287571

Sad singer sad.... I have also got a club team and i have to say i have never seen our girls so fit and strong as this year.... I say fair play to them two for getting some very average players up to the county level by sheer hard work... Every club game i have been at this year - its the county players who are shining through at each stage of the game... Their confidence is high and they are playing some great stuff... I - like singers son - hope these men stay in charge for at least another season as most of the girls have total respect for them and they know what it takes to win - which is shown by the cup they have lodged in the cupboard this year already... Get off your high horse singer and praise when it is due please.....

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 19/05/2009 11:29:51    287593

Here we go again!!! Ok singer you have had your rant, no-one is going to agree with you so LET IT GO!!

gaaforall (Down) - Posts: 130 - 19/05/2009 11:38:46    287599

I have followed all girls/ladies gaelic for a few years now and think it"s sad when people start using injuries as excuses for teams playing bad football.If someone is injured then they should rest and not play at all.Rostrevors management took over a well run fit team from 2 experienced coaches this year.So what has gone wrong?With a bit of luck they will stay up but they will need better coaching if they want to compete better next year?

point111 (Down) - Posts: 20 - 19/05/2009 17:40:17    288088

Once again i believe that you cant blame the management, if you had followed ladies football you will know that there is a big step up once you get to the senior league. You need experiance and no matter what management that Rostrevor had it would have still been dificult. This attack on the managment is not fair as other teams in the senior league have been well yet you refuse to attack them. Clonduff were beaten Bredagh and did you call for the management to be ousted. Realistically their aim would be to stay up and gain experiance and build for future years.

down.sup. (Down) - Posts: 19 - 19/05/2009 18:12:47    288148

point111 you are really obsessed by rostrevor aren't you?

befair (Down) - Posts: 238 - 19/05/2009 19:54:16    288214

Befair.if the point had a ladies team id be more obsessed with them.Just stating a fact about rostrevor.They are simply outclassed in the senior league,same as Burren last year.To get beaten in nearly all their games will either make or break them and to be honest i dont really care.

point111 (Down) - Posts: 20 - 19/05/2009 21:56:44    288335

point111 for someone "that doesn't really care" you seem to have a one-track mind
its good to see the Downpatrick revival. They have some topplayers and should be chasing honours;Kyla Trenor is a machine and Aine McCurry, the Down U-16 captain is also very gifted. But if Bredagh are at full-strength it's hard to see them being beaten

befair (Down) - Posts: 238 - 20/05/2009 16:07:57    289120

predictions for this weekends championship.... Clonduff v Downpatrick Downpatrick (have picked up few vital results recently and if clonduff dont go out to deliberately injure Kyla trainor - she could beat them on her own) Bredagh v Bryansford Bredagh (have the pick of several counties and some of the best players are playing for their club at the minute) Rostrevor v Saval Saval (even without the influential Niamh Lennon - the greens should have enough to win this game at a canter, Rostrevor have found the going tough in the top league to date and now realise their victory over Ballymartin was a mistake) Carryduff v Annaclone Carryduff (even though they are playing intermediate football - i expect the purples to come away with a victory here - Annaclone have nothing and with Grainne Kelly injured again and other players not giving their full committment - they are going to struggle all season) Burren v Bright Bright (Burren are struggling and even though they beat Bright in the league last weekend - i expect the east down girls to take their full team with them this time) Shamrocks v Kilcoo Shamrocks (with the twin Fegans in their armoury - this will be fairly easy win for the greens) Loughinisland v Ballymartin Ballymartin (This championship is the whites to lose this year as carryduff arent in it) Junior championship will be won by Mayobridge as no other team in that league even trains let alone cares about football. Anyone any views???

singers_son (Down) - Posts: 2 - 21/05/2009 10:16:43    289652

I'm with Singers_son on the majority... Clonduff v Downpatrick - Think the hoops could nick this one if they play to their potential for the full 60minutes. The yellows aren't the force they were last year, with some close calls in League games making them look decidely beatable. However, Clonduff will surely step their game up for the Championship, should be a good game. Bredagh v Bryansford - With even more transfers this year on paper bredagh look the team to beat. More of an intercounty team than a down club team. Think most neutrals and those with an eye on the semi's will be rooting for the Ford to knock them out at the quarter stage. It could happen, but i doubt it. Rostrevor v Saval - Saval to get this one, as much as i'd like to predict a shock, dont think its going to happen. Saval have too much grit and fire power. Carryduff v Annaclone - This has the potential to be a real battle. But think if the Annaclone of last year turn up they should progress to the next stage. They desperately need a win to kickstart their season and this looks like their best chance. Burren v Bright - Bright are an aggressive side and will really take it to Burren. My moneys on them. Shamrocks v Kilcoo - don't know a lot about either of these teams, but i'll back the twins anyday, so the Shamrocks it is. Loughinisland v Ballymartin - Loughinisland seem to be struggling this season so i'll go for Ballymartin.

leg_end (Down) - Posts: 62 - 21/05/2009 11:09:14    289720

No no no Clonduff will beat Downpatrick out the gate... They are finally getting their act together after a huge clear the air conference. I expect them to be in the hat for the semi finals. BryansFord will beat Bredagh... Bryansford beat them in the league a couple of weeks ago and were full value for their win. I expect the same result again - it will be a battle but Bryansfordford should prevail Saval will beat Rostrevor - caus lets face it - Rostrevor shouldnt be up there Annaclone v Carryduff is probably the tie of the round. I expect this to be tight close affair - but if annaclone can get Pyres the ball she should be able to carry them over the line on her own. Burren will beat Bright... Rumour has it that the county manager is back on board with Burren and this should see them progress as he knows these teams inside out Ballymartin will beat Loughinisland as they are a Junior club playing out of their depth Kilcoo could cause a few ripples with Kylie Doherty and her sister Leon pulling the strings for them and the twin Fegans will need to watch out for these two... Cara Lavertys form has dipped since she has left Castlewellan but on her day can be a threat.

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 21/05/2009 12:16:53    289808

i too have to agree with most of these predictions... Clonduff should take downpatrick however in downpatricks latest form i dont think it will be as easy a match as clonduff may hope. Bryansford and Bredagh should be an interesting one, Bredagh are in top form at the minute after their big win to clonduff in the league but bryansford will surely put it up to them. Saval should take Rostrevor easily enough, hasnt been the best season for them so far. Carryduff and Annaclone is deffinetly goin to be a close encounter, if annaclone are to take it, it will be down to sheer experience, Carryduff have not lost a competetive game since the begining of their Intermediate championship campaign last year, including the whole first leg of the league this season, they are on form and will fight till the end and i wouldnt rule out a victory for the young city girls. On this point of the intermediate league, singer commented last yr saying the intermediate teams, especcially Carryduff, will b put in their place next year when burren come back down...Carryduff unbeaten, Burren near the bottom of the league, i think that says it all....

red765 (Down) - Posts: 4 - 21/05/2009 16:02:16    290094