The downey girls would get the respect of the younger girls coming through, michaela and jacqui might be a good option?
I don't know how the girls who have played along side michaela would react though, mind you most of them have left the panel.
I also don't think an all-ireland is possible at this stage, a lot of work to be done before that can be reached, just look at all the success donegal have had at u-16 and minor for the past number of years, we would need that year in, year out to be a success at senior level.

jaffa5 (Down) - Posts: 13 - 21/09/2010 15:44:41    780357

Need to get the right structures in place and thats from the top right to the bottom. I agree with jaffa5's previous comment.

weepats5 (Down) - Posts: 295 - 21/09/2010 16:29:25    780409

jacqi Clarke has been touted a few times for the position of senior manager and has so far refused - hopefully this time she will give it a go though. Respect is the key word in all previous messages - respect from county board to management, respect from clubs to county board, respect from players to county management and respect from clubs to county management. there should be no agenda from any party. Its all for the good of the county ladies game and i firmly believe that there is an all ireland in this group of girls... But all irelands just dont happen - it takes serious commitment, effort, hard work from all parties mentioned above to make it happen and then you may get the rub of the green on the given day. Everyone in the county needs to take a look at what they can offer the set up and put their names forward for the appropriate poseition. Players who won a national league title a couple of years back need to talk to the girls in their clubs who are fit for the step up to county level and encourage them to do it - tell them about the hard work the sacrifices but also about the enjoyment of the whole experience. It county football - and unless we have the best in all departments - we are wasting our time............

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 22/09/2010 11:28:01    780985

I hear Brian Dougherty is quitting as Castlewellan Senior manager.Maybe the County Board could approach him and maybe J Clarke about a joint venture. Brian has lots of experience with Castlewellan and Queens in recent years and could maybe influence some 'TOWN' girls to committ to the County

upstpauls (Down) - Posts: 25 - 22/09/2010 11:59:22    781016

Brian Dougherty is a great manager and will be sorely missed by all the girls. he has made them a formidable team and has considerably made the league and championship and standard of ladies football in down much higher

God7 (Down) - Posts: 354 - 22/09/2010 12:13:31    781027

Its great to have names out there of that quality of Brian and Jaqui, hopefully one or both of them will be interested in taking us next year.
Ciaran Quinn would be another name to add as he knows the Down scene and has also (according to some monaghan players) been very instrumental in getting a team to an all ireland final. He showed his quality when he took us for a very good session last year before championship and is not with monaghan anymore.
It's all going to boil down to who WANTS to take us as the likes of Jaqui and Ciaran have been asked before.
What about Breda's manager?? 2 C'ships in a row???

puma_gal (Down) - Posts: 24 - 22/09/2010 17:36:17    781448

If I was honest I would prefer to see Michaela Downey still playing and only playing as its hard to concentrate and give 100% if you also have a coaching/selecting hat on, she still has another year or two in her but she needs to have the appetite for it and most of the players still know her to wel in a playing capacity. The other names mentioned are all admirable and could all do a job but i still think someone who has been involved in the various underage teams should have some role as say a selector. For instance Brights Francis Toner has done a lot of the coaching and nurtured the vast majority of the under 18's and downwards and would have an indepth knowledge not only of potential players who can step up to senior football but also he would have a good knowledge of the other county teams younger players. The mangerial team should also include someone, like those mentioned earlier, that has a good sound history and background (recent experience in the Down leagues) to try and bring forward, on top of present players, other players who for one reason or another haven't been part of the last couple of squads. Also i think the CB should be thinking of bringing in a coach/fitness/strength and conditioning trainer that may or may not have selection duties but that can muster a squad together that can represent Down with conviction and courage as it is clear this has not happened this year with all due respect to the various incumbents that tried in 2010. All in all its going to take a massive effort involving a new manager, selector possibly 2 and a coach along with all the ancillary staff/helpers that are now needed to run and manage a fully functioning Down squad (physio, kit, water, nutrition, logistics, fundraiser, sponsor to name but a few). The question is have the clubs and the CB got the wherewithall and unity to assemble something like above that befits a senior county football team that can if everyone pulls together bring back some semblance of pride in the county team. Time will tell but here's hoping we can get over our differences and self interests to provide a positive shop window for all that is good in Down Ladies Football.

ford_abu (Down) - Posts: 50 - 23/09/2010 11:57:28    781957

Ford-abu well said - but - lets be realistic. If the county ladies had all those people in place it would be a miracle. I totally agree that we need them all especially the fundraising committee - but people are very reluctant to give their service if they are not getting paid for it. For example a strength and conditioning coach. this is someone who has gone to courses or university to learn their speciality - they will require payment. there is no point getting in someone who "has an idea" of what is required - we need the best. Wouldn't it be lovely if at this stage (near october) we were getting ready for trials to pick a panel for next season and get the girls into gyms to start their work. Frank Toner would offer so much to senior county management as he has the experience of club and county at underage - i just dont know if he would make the next step. The other thing is - who would work along side him. the guys who were with him at underage in my view wouldnt cut it at senior level. Ciaran would be excellent choice as trainer - but again - he lives in Crossmaglen or thereabouts and would have to travel to the likes of annsborough to training twice/three times weekly. could he do this without expenses?? It is a difficult one and i hope it can be sorted sooner rather than later.

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 23/09/2010 13:40:49    782104

The minor management team was excellent; enthusiastic, knowledgeable and thorough, and that was an unnecessary and insulting comment by the last poster. Unfortuantely the Down Ladies have no money, so talking about extensive bac-up teams, unless they are voluntary, is a waste of time.
I agree that next year is an excellent opportunity fro silverware, if e can get some of the senior ladies who retired en masses last year to return, and encourage the last years minor team to get involved at a senior level

befair (Down) - Posts: 238 - 23/09/2010 14:36:25    782183

Just as we need Michaela to continue to concentrate on her playing career, we also need Francie and Paul O'Reilly to stay with the minors and if possible oversee the entire underage set-up. There is more than a little uncertainly about them this year but after 5/6 years of service at underage level I suspect they would find it very difficult to walk away from the minor girls, even if that was into the co senior set up.

soprano (Down) - Posts: 38 - 23/09/2010 19:02:38    782524

Lets face it - Francie was the brains in the minor management team.Francie for seniors.....................................

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 23/09/2010 20:55:25    782658

Duff what are you talking about? Do you know the game at all? The reason the minor management has done so well is becasuse it is a sucessful team. They both work off each other well obviously. I think if your gonna look at getting a manager in you cant look past Francie and Paul. The two men have been great for the underage of down ladies. They have brought through some good players. Why go for an outside manager? These two men know the good players in down football,know who they play for and know where they should be played. They have the knowlegde of down ladies football. I cant understand why people are talking about that halfwit mcconville who didnt want the job in the first place. And also Jacqi Clarke has been mentioned, again a good coach but turned the job down before. Before they go looking they should see if these men fancy the job.

i think the club v county row isnt helped by the people involved in the ladies county board.

TALKSENSE94 (Down) - Posts: 3 - 24/09/2010 17:27:38    783358

In an ideal world we would have the set up 'fordabu' is dreamin about. I don't think even the mens county team have that backroom team that you are on about.
What matters to the players most is that we have someone who knows what they are at and shows us how we can be winners. We will accept what is within the budget as long as it is as professional as it can be.
As long as we have 25/30 players who are totally committed to everything management demand of us, then i think the feeling of elation that we all experienced last weekend can be felt next year at ladies all ireland finals day.
my personal preferences are:
1. Ciaran Quinn - has experience of national league and gettin a team to the all ireland final. will certainly get respect and commitment from all players if his trainin sessions last year is anything to go by. But - monaghan players want him to be their manager so we'll probably lose out as they are one of the top teams in the country.
2. Jackie Clarke - has won everything from nat. league to an all ireland with armagh, so experience is top class. has a good knowledge of down football. But - was part of a management team in armagh, how will she do on her own, has played with some current players and has turned the job down on a number of occasions.
3. Francie Toner - has the most experience of down club football, can bring through some minors, if they are ready. and is well up to date on coaching. But - has no experience of senior county football or working with senior players. will he get the respect from these senior players?

As we will probably not get ciaran maybe an ideais to ask jackie and francie to work as a team. ticks a lot of boxes.......

samnextyear (Down) - Posts: 6 - 24/09/2010 17:41:00    783373

That is such a great name for the author of that last post.
There is NO sense in saying the minor team were successful. They didn't win anything.. If francie and paul take us next year and we lose the ulster final and get to the all ireland semi, will you be sayin then that they are the best there is???
What we need is proven winners to manage us whether they are from down or not. I say go for clarke or quinn as the are just that. Proven Winners

puma_gal (Down) - Posts: 24 - 24/09/2010 17:47:25    783383

Having a manger that is a proven winner doesn't gaurantee success. To bring the minors on the way they did was a good job. Talking about winning an ulster championship and getting to an all ireland semi. Do you think putting Clarke/Quinn in will bring this after one year? No chance. They would be lucky to take the ladies to an ulster final. Why would they want to come to down when they could have the pick of teams who are gonna put up money. The county team was hardly a sleeping giant last year. Half the players decided they couldn't be bothered playing. I thought county football was where you wanted to play? Fair play to the players that travelled all round and got beat but were proud to play for the county.

TALKSENSE94 (Down) - Posts: 3 - 24/09/2010 18:38:59    783440

Have to say, sincere thanks must go to this years senior ladies management team.When no one else was prepared to step up to the mark at least they had the courage to do so and what thanks did they get? Most of the previous years senior team just walked with silly excuses, leaving mainly young ( but committed )girls to carry on.
I do not think the problem is solely about management but mainly to do with A LOT of big egos .Lets draw a line in the sand, move on and try to build for the future,it may take a few years but its better to have a committed panel of players rather than a group comprised mainly of SUPERSTARS who feel they can come and go whenever it suits them.They made they decision to walk so forget about them and please do not chase or beg any of them to come back.

SILVERWARE (Down) - Posts: 24 - 25/09/2010 11:20:35    783670

Have to agree with 'silverware' in that ego's have no place on our county team. If we were to have any chance of winning next year then it'll either be with certain players losing their ego's and committ totally to a team ethic or to totally disregard them as members of the panel and move on without them. They can't be allowed to come and go as they please ANYMORE.
This is why we need management strong enough to deal with this. It is also a must that she/he has no ties or club bias.
I would have no problem going outside the county for a manager as i feel, like myself, each player will start with a clean slate and has to prove themselves all over again. This excites me as I know everyone will get a fair crack of the whip and if you train hard you should get the rewards. Before unless you were from a certain club or a clique with management you had to train much harder to get noticed.
Any ideas when county board plan to get this sorted?

samnextyear (Down) - Posts: 6 - 25/09/2010 16:20:26    783792

Even if we get a manager, what about players? There was a real struggle to get players out last year. I think the players that didn't play last year have to be approached, we can't just 'forget' about players like Aileen Pyers and Lynsey Cunningham who could be a big influence on the team if asked to come back.
And what about the 'older' girls on the team from last season who apparently aren't playing this year, Aveen Downey, Niamh Lennon, Aine Harty and even Lisa Morgan who didn't play any of the Championship? I think we seriously need to look at how we can get the best players in Down playing for Down.
Is getting a good manager the solution?

jaffa5 (Down) - Posts: 13 - 26/09/2010 12:46:45    784083

It's obvious that getting the best out of the best players in Down goes hand in hand with having decent management.
If the girls see experienced management that creates a professional set up that will improve the players technically and physically then you will see everyone commit.
If the girls can see themselves climbing them steps in croke park next september then its up to the management and the girls to do whatever it takes to get there.
So come on county board, it's VITAL we try everything and to get the best people to manage this team.

puma_gal (Down) - Posts: 24 - 26/09/2010 20:02:17    784358

Puma-gal was last year's minor team not more successful than the Down minor teams of the past? Has any past team done better? Ciaran Quinn managed a Down minor team that didn't win a championship game and struggled to field in their return fixture to Tyrone? It should also be noted that most of that team had won All Ireland medals at U16 level. That's not to say Ciaran is not an excellent trainer, he is, and Down would be lucky to get him on board. In Fact now that I think of it all of our senior managers since Gregory have started with the minors in some capacity and did not get them to the same level of commitment or performance. This year the minor team defeated Tyrone, Cavan, and Monaghan comfortably on their way to an Ulster final. They may have fallen short after a good opening v Donegal but they certainly raised the bar, it no disgrace to lose to All Ireland champions. It is notoriously difficult to get minors to commit with exams, part-time work and the social life of young people today. Last year's management team regularly had more players than jerseys in the kit back - That's what I call success. All of this large panel could not have championship action but all did play in pre-season wins over Queens, UUJ, seconds, Armagh, Dublin and even Donegal. Many of the girls even got a run out v the Co seniors which they really enjoyed.
Puma-gal there is more to success than winning trophies -

soprano (Down) - Posts: 38 - 26/09/2010 21:15:20    784449