I wasnt saying Castlewellan players should dominate Developement squads and I dont think they do but what I meant was to produce consistently good teams they must be working them in the correct way and I d like to know what they are doing.. ... It would be good if I could get my club to their level. We had one girl on the development squad and it helped her a lot as she realised she needed to work harder at her game. My point is greater level of competition is needed at all levels and I think we need to start young

monitor (Down) - Posts: 209 - 16/10/2012 13:59:28    1283951

Whats this about tommorow night? I d say as usual these are nothing but whispers singer sure i've only just hear Benjy is back in for sure, then no doubt he's going it almost alone again which in my view wont cut it without a full background team. anyone know if theres any truth.....trials or not at least if its true theyre on the go early with intent

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 16/10/2012 14:08:17    1283959

Just made a few calls there and it seems there is a meeting/fitness test 2moro night then that has to be seen as great news that the county seniors is up and running early in pre season and not like the previous few years. If its still Benjy in charge, I believe it is Kingdom, and if he has a good backroom team, I believe there is, then thats also great but as I've said b4 he'll need to have the full backing of the players that have not come forward in recent years, if he has them well and good and i believe there maybe a few big names returning which is great but you never know in ladies football? Also he will need the backing of the clubs and the County Board because if theres to be any success we'll need to have every1 pulling 2gether and not the usual parochial selfish view points you normally see here or hear at CB meetings. Its obvious a few of us "outside the inner circle" including kingdomgael, and that we were not privvy to the new set up but maybe thats not a bad thing that we were caught on the hop. We can natter on here on this forum because it really counts for diddly squat and Benjy and his management and squad can work away quietly behind the scenes with the team hopefully with every1 onboard. Good luck to all involved the clubs and county could do with a bit of onfield success and if the county unites, well look what Armagh and Antrim recently achieved. Come on Kingdom and singer and all the rest of us lets hear and see a wee bit of luvvin and positivity, what about a wee group hug, Never, Never Never, lol

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 16/10/2012 14:49:01    1283989

Looking forward to hearing what players come back and interested in hearing who benjy has talked into his managment team. but all the same yes i am glad to hear he's getting an early start, can only be a good thing

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 16/10/2012 14:55:46    1283999

Delighted to hear the ladies are starting tonight. Hope this start will get the commitment needed and the season can really kick off from here. Backroom team is interesting to say the least. Just hope the girls give the necessary commitment for the season.....

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 17/10/2012 11:54:32    1284317

Who is in the Background team Singer? Do you mean interesting because you dont expect much from it? The signs of early training are good but the right people need to be in place players and management alike

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 17/10/2012 12:03:31    1284321

Heard a few names of players coming into squad which sounds great if true and haven't heard who the management team as it wasn't in the Irish News it just mentioned benjy ward is but whoever comes in i hope they and the team can show the commitment that singer is asking for because that has been lacking this last few years. Kingdom theres not much u miss so when you hear will u let is know the players and management in the new squad no doubt u'll know after 2nites session?

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 17/10/2012 17:21:36    1284545

New management of Mark Copeland, Ryan Mc Shane and Benji Ward started last night and put the girls through fitness tests. A great turnout b all accounts and no fewer than 12 Bryansford players at this introduction. Think this shows where the priority of the managemet lies...

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 18/10/2012 10:05:40    1284802

Well they are County Champs.Any new faces of note player wise. ?

monitor (Down) - Posts: 209 - 18/10/2012 10:28:38    1284805

County champs and lets face it.... individually very talented players. Many Duff girls on the squad? How much of a squad actually showed?

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 18/10/2012 10:42:58    1284810

Yeah they are county champions alright - but dont forget they were beaten by Carryduff at one stage - so maybe they have a few worth considering. Also Ballymartin are intermediate county champions and only get two players on the panel - surely there are more fit for the challenge - and Bosco are Junior county champs and have little representation as well. A Good turnout by all accounts and very positive coming out of it so lets hope this is the start of a great season ahead.

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 18/10/2012 11:57:44    1284850

Agree that Carryduff have strong players though waiting to hear how many are on the team. Who are the two from Ballymartin? Not so sure about bringing in too many girls from Bosco as it was junior after all and they will be playing senior standard players all year but maybe there are a few that are up to the challenge. Just up to the managment and the team that is there to stick together and train hard, hopefully the county will improve this year. cant say much at the minute but im sure we'll have much to debate as the year goes on

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 18/10/2012 12:24:44    1284870

Duff you seem to have a bit of inside info re last night. What about rthe other senior clubs. Any new faces from Annaclone or Downpatrick or Castlewellan ??? Surely they must have a few each there. Is this a trial thing btw ?

monitor (Down) - Posts: 209 - 18/10/2012 12:36:43    1284882

If its true there is 12 Bryansford girls on the squad and a past bryansford manager at the helm, are there any clonduff girls in the squad with their two managers from last year involved.... whatever the thoughts were in that.

however, the county managment is in place, a squad is training and hopefully we can get something to get excited about this year

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 18/10/2012 13:54:31    1284960

got speaking to a few of the girls today who are on the panel and they all seemed happy with new set up but wouldn't give too much info away so i think they have been told to keep it in house all i got was general info. I suppose i can't complain as i'm not part of squad but glad to here big numbers turned up over 30 and lots of clubs represented over 12 clubs plus some new younger players. Also new woman involved in management didn't get her name but shes not from Down. No doubt kingdomgael will let us know soon enough as he usually has all the info based on previous posts and if singer has info it would be nice to know a bit more. Anyway it sounds pretty good so far so lets hope it continues as its a long season.

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 18/10/2012 18:00:25    1285157

unfortunately not gaamna, Either as has been mentioned the girls have been told to keep tight lip on the set up or im just not hearing any news. Singers been quiet maybe he will be back with a whirlpool of info!

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 19/10/2012 12:17:29    1285421

So all the info I hear at the weekend is that Benjy Ward (Bryansford) is manager, Mark Copeland and Ryan McShane (both Clonduff) are team coaches and selectors. Jackie Clarke and and an ex mayo county player are part of the set up on advisory roles. They have had 2 fitness testing sessions so far and numbers have been very good and the girls I was talking to are feeling very positive with managements plans and the last two sessions. Hopefully a sign of good things to come... but can they keep it together, starting in October makes for a long year ahead. Best of luck to them

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 22/10/2012 13:42:17    1286535

Kingdom I'm starting to get worried about your posts, in some posts you say the squad is not commited enough and should be starting training earlier in other posts see above it sounds like you think its along season because there starting in Mid Oct. In another post you call for new younger managers which there seems to be this year, but don't know the managers ages mentioned above, but you have mentioned them before so i'm assuming your happy enough but the post doesnt really seem to suggest you are. Other posts you have real inside knowledge which suggests your either a past playing or managing member but as you seem to have missed this years prep, which on the face of it sounds good, so i'm assuming you are not "in the loop" this year. My question is are you really a supporter of Down ladies? or are you just on this forum to annoy players/managers and CB alike? or why don't you try to be a bit more positive and not so cynical or downbeat. Or finally mayb you have a split personality and in a schizo type way don't really know what you want for Down ladies.

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 22/10/2012 15:42:24    1286632

Well said !!!

monitor (Down) - Posts: 209 - 22/10/2012 16:21:17    1286660

just to explain, yes i said there should be an earlier start... which there appears to be, By saying its going to be a long season i am not trying to say the season will be too long and they shouldnt be doing it, I am stating that the early start and the good starts need to continue. Anyone who knows Down ladies football will know that things can always start well, my point is that I hope they can maintain the enthusiasm that appears to be showing at this early stage. I am indeed a keen supporter of Down ladies and always wish well those who give up their time to manage, play or help in any way with our county ladies as it does take up a lot of time and takes a real commitment

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 22/10/2012 16:33:35    1286670