Senior - Carryduff
Intermediate - Kilcoo/Clonduff
Junior - Bosco

The back door system wont affect the senior and junior championships - but think the intermediate will be more open. Clonduff wont be far away from it either but just think Kilcoo are coming into form at the right time for the big one. What a final it would be if these two got there.....

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 05/07/2012 17:14:01    1210412

disgusted..... management out.... lack of discipline and organisation very evident....

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 14/07/2012 20:11:50    1217385

Im surprised that no 1 else has commented on what was an awful showing at the weekend. The referee certainly didn't help matters. What did you think Singer?

the_guvner (Down) - Posts: 318 - 18/07/2012 15:21:26    1221634

League games off this weekend. How will the back door fixtures go next weekend? who are the teams waiting in the semis for the outcome?

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 03/08/2012 11:10:56    1237010

Good win for Annaclone on Sat night in senior champ! What happned shamrocks not turning up to Kilcoo in Intermediate back door? handy year 2 lose on champ game and get to a semi final, kilcoo lucky enough there! Could they suprise ballymartin? wiiner of this game should win this champ! Mayobridge should beat Tullylish and probably beat Clonduff and id imagin set up a Ballymartin b Mayobridge final. Bosco are walking the junior league and will walk the junior championship no doubt. Who are the favourites in the senior champ?

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 13/08/2012 15:45:13    1244603

So no big surprises last night in the senior games! I'd say Bryansford will put it up to Carryduff in the final and should beat them, they are a very talented team this year and it would be good for them to get some rewards for their hardwork, although it looked like they were lucky in the first half of the game last night as Bredagh failed to switch on. They were a totally different team in the second half but couldn't manage to math the score Bryansford had in the first half. The Bryansford management has done a great job this year and of staying in theyll be the team to beat next year, as for Bredagh they have improved from the start of the season but the team and management couldn't cope with the pressure of the match yesterday. How did Carryduff look? Similar scores coming from both them and Bryansford.

Anon2013 (Down) - Posts: 1 - 19/08/2012 10:06:37    1247602

Only saw the last quarter of the Carryduff game but they were coasting by that stage - 7 or 8 points up. Annaclone had a few chances on goal which if any had been converted with 10 to go may have made it interesting but the Duff closed it out. The final should be a good one. The 2 clubs who started the championship action off back at the start of May in the preliminary round, with Carryduff winning by a point, meet again in the final - backs up the decision to add a backdoor this year for sure. Clonduff and Ballymartin made it through in the Intermediate and as expected Bosco are there in the Junior - just waiting for the eventual runners-up to make it to the final.

statto_gael (Down) - Posts: 5 - 19/08/2012 21:08:06    1248135

Senior and intermediate finals are going to be two Cracking games of ladies football if the weekend is anything to go by.

Junior final is going to be one way traffic

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 20/08/2012 17:23:59    1248709

Congratulations to Bosco, Ballymartin and Bryansford on their championship successes at Junior/Inter/Senior respectively at the weekend. Best of luck to all in Ulster.

KeepItClean (Down) - Posts: 18 - 03/09/2012 09:31:28    1257750

i hate to say i told u so kingdom gael back on 23/05/12, see below, with my correct championship predictions, i should be mystic meg, lol. Well done to all the winners very deserved and good quality of football which augurs well for Ulster club c'ship although its traditionally been 2 big a step up in class and quality but best of luck to all 3 teams.

"kingdom gael i think your right about Carryduff and singer maybe right about the Ford but Gael Castlewellan were beat by near 20 points by the Carryduff girls so I think you are wrong about them they seem totally out of it can't see them closing the gap. Its Carryduff as clear favourites and Downpatrick or Bredagh to reach semis via the front door and the Ford look like the only team capable of coming thru the back door system as realistic challengers. I think its all set up for a rematch in the final of the preliminary round Carryduff v Bryansford. Both these teams are winning comfortably in the league and only a point separated them in the last c'ship match. I agree with you both that its the Bridge, Shamrocks and Clonduff who will give Ballymartin most to think about and Sean O'Hare has them really fit and playing good football but can they sustain this over June/July and August? Its the Boscos for the taking with the only question being are the transfer specialists allowed to play senior c'ship football 1 year and then drop 2 grades to junior the following. Don't understand the logic in this and question the fairness as all reports suggest they are making a mockery of the other players in the junior leagues, sad really were is ladies football heading here. The county girls are playing Cavan soon in the Ulster so good luck to them, they may need it."

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 03/09/2012 18:41:40    1258466

Congratulations to Bryansford, Ballymartin and Bosco on winning thier respective championships. Was at the junior and senior double header and it was definitely worth the entrance fee. I was surprised by Byransford and their sheer wrok all ofer the park. They have a very balanced side with good quality players in every position. Im sure there are at least 7 or 8 players on this team worth their place on the county set up. Carryduff were also good and perhaps on a different day they may have taken the honours. In Kate Mc Kay, Megan, Jessica and Hannah they have fantastic players. They have youth on their side and the fact this was their first final will stand to them for the future. Im sure this is not the last we will hear of Carryduff at senior level. Bosco played a little nervously throughout their game but still had too much power when on the ball to allow Loughinisland to get near them. Michaela Downey still has it and in patches the other day showed why she is probably the greatest ladies footballer ever to play in the county. She shows that no matter how many medals you have - there is always rom for more.

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 05/09/2012 15:03:18    1259917

Now that the club season is nearing an end - has anyone any idea what is happening on the county scene?? Is there a management team in place for the seniors/minors etc?? Surely the girls can prepare for the season ahead from now as they have no distractions with their clubs.....

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 04/10/2012 18:08:56    1278080

Word is there are no management teams in place on the County scene. I think Benji Ward is hoping for another year but county board may look at other options before deciding. 2012 must have been a tough season as ive heard of plenty of club managers leaving their post namely Carryduff, Burren, Clonduff, Ballymartin and Rostrevor. Any of these men capable of taking the county hot seat? Although there is alot of critisim on games not being played etc I think this years championship season at al levels was one of the more enjoyable ones of recent years

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 05/10/2012 15:27:13    1278645

I have always thought the Rostrevor manager would be worth a crack at the county job - i like the way he has the girls playing and they seem to have a respect for him. If all those managers leave thier posts there will be a lot of work in clubs to get tem replaced. If it is as you say kindongael and all those mentioned are to leave i would be very surprised. Burren cemented their place in division one this year, Carryduff got to the senior final this year and are not far away from winning the title, Clonduff got to a final and sustained thier place in the intermediate league and Ballymartin won the intermediate championship - surely these are good enough reasons to keep someone interested in staying. From looking at the All Ireland finals yesterday - we as a county are miles away from dining at that table of intermediate or senior. But as always - i feel if the right structures were in place - we could indeed be up there with the best.

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 08/10/2012 10:57:47    1279826

Singer and Kingdom Gael it does seem very quiet on the county scene and there is rumours about a new county board but the bottom line is it doesn't matter if Benjy does take it or Mickey Harte or Jimmy McGuiness did its all down to the commitment and availability of players. I 4 one hope who ever is in charge that the ladies of Down after seeing the 2 teams they played in this years championship reaching the All-Ireland final realise they are not that far from the top table and give it a right rattle. Good luck but don't hold your breath

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 08/10/2012 19:55:26    1280211

gaamna - if the girls are not commiting to the county then they should be asked to leave. To play for the county is an honour and not everyone gets asked to make the representation. Those who want it and i mean really want it should only come for trials or training. If you are just there for the gear, to stay fit for the winter until your club starts again, to have it to say you are on a county panel or so that you can get to the likes of London - then you should seriously think about spending your time elsewhere and with other people. As Gaamna said in the last post - two teams that are not that far away from us have won all irelands in their grade this year - why are we not competing every year?? If it is down to the personnel on the line - the county boeard need to move mountains to get the right person/people - but if it is those on the pitch - the manager needs to clear the decks and start again. Play only those that train every time it is on, put in max effort, do as they are told away from the setup. Its the only way forward.

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 10/10/2012 16:53:57    1281241

Whoever the Managment is needs to call an open trial with Clubs to inform girls that the County managment are only interested in girls who are willing to fully commit to the county/ Unfortunatley for Benjy Ward.... I feel this would need to come from a new managment team. And that is what Down needs, a managment team.... 3/4 men/Women commited to the fortunes of the County set up. There is so much young talented coaches in the county many are involved in ladies football already, I think they should be approached and bring a fresh approach to ladies county football in Down. The Talent is there if the players would commit, carryduff, bryansford, Castlewellan, Ballymartin, Bosco, Clonduff, Annaclone, bredagh and many other clubs all have players capable of competing at the highest level with the right people in charge.

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 11/10/2012 10:33:49    1281498

Whoever the Managment is needs to call an open trial with Clubs to inform girls that the County managment are only interested in girls who are willing to fully commit to the county/ Unfortunatley for Benjy Ward.... I[b] feel this would need to come from a new managment team. And that is what Down needs, a managment team.... 3/4 men/Women commited to the fortunes of the County set up. There is so much young talented coaches in the county many are involved in ladies football already, I think they should be approached and bring a fresh approach to ladies county football in Down. The Talent is there if the players would commit, carryduff, bryansford, Castlewellan, Ballymartin, Bosco, Clonduff, Annaclone, bredagh and many other clubs all have players capable of competing at the highest level with the right people in charge.

I agree in principle with your statement and have highlighted your best points in the statement - but pls forward suggestions as the county board maybe need to see these names in print and then make an approach to them to see if they are interested. Its getting to that part of the season now where clubs are changing management and some people are wondering what their next move might be - it might be an opportune time to snare a few of these people to move the ladies game in the county forward. I agree with the sentiments that these clubs have the talent to make a very successful county panel - but the key is committment.

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 11/10/2012 12:14:11    1281557

There are alot of possibilities;

Sean ohare - Has been involved before as part of a 2 man management and did quite well, my point is... given a strong background team and the commitment of the girls another he is worth another crack at the whip. did an extremely good job with Ballymartin this year.

Martin Farrell - currently involved with Rostrevor mens management team, young man with good experience, maybe not in Ladies football but is a respected Coach and PE teacher and may be worth his call into a management team.

Mark Copeland - Also been involved before but had limited resources in terms of a background team and was vertually a sole manager/coach, you might get away with this at club level but certainly not at county, he managed Clonduff this year and brought a poor side to an intermediate final

Paddy McCrickard - Large commitment on Paddys part to ladies football and although i dont feel he is the right man to manage, he could certainly get a place within the ranks alongside any of the above.

Aoibheann/Miceala Downey - great patrons of the game, if we cant get them playing, get them coaching know exactly what it takes to be on a successful county side. Again maybe not managment material but certainly would make good selecters and may be great at individual player coaching, bring both a defensive and attacking coach into the setup.

Just suggestions....maybe you know a few singer?

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 11/10/2012 13:22:01    1281605

I hear what you are sayin, the most important word seems to be commitment, if you haven't got that u haven't got anything really. I see kingdomgael is calling for a new management which may or may not be whats required, Benjy did his best which mighten be good enough for Kingdom but it might be that his hands were tied. It could be just that he hadn't the full pick of the county as alot of good players didn't come forward for whatever reasons. If the players who over last few years that didn't come forward might come back on board, or atleast some of them it might help whoever is in charge as last years squad was thin on numbers and on experienced players. I'm not calling for his head, i don't even know if he is involved and his backroom team or are there new management in place, as it all seems quiet on the county front, not many posts on this subject, but who ever is in charge if they get backing of past players and the most recent players and the clubs and county board then the team could do well. Its going to take a joint effort. The problem is can the players, c board, clubs and management agree on a way forward past experience says no, and thats the real pity.

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 11/10/2012 13:46:36    1281623