Now that the season has officially come to an end - the following clubs in the Senior league are looking for coaches. Carryduff, Bryansford, Castlewellan, Burren, Annaclone, Bredagh and Downpatrick are folding. So basically every club is looking for management.... Why was the AGM called off on Monday night past - any word???

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 02/11/2012 08:30:42    1291466

just to add to the list

Carryduff, Bryansford, Castlewellan, Burren, Annaclone, Bredagh, Ballymartin, Kilcoo, Clonduff, Saval and Loughinisland

All looking for new managers

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 02/11/2012 14:41:09    1291682

Alll them clubs looking for new management surprises me... i thought big alec would have stayed on the line with the girls for another blast at it... he has been there form the start though and prob needs a break. The girls will benefit from a change in voice too... Those intermediate and junior clubs will struggle to get a new setup in place for sure... But lets hope they do or there will be no need for an agm!!!

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 02/11/2012 16:19:49    1291730

well all of the above clubs managers have left their posts. Be interesting to see who are the replacements

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 06/11/2012 15:15:39    1293446

Can't see how anyone is surprised by managers coming and going. The clubs seem to have a total disregard for any of the fitures and so the manager has difficulty preparing and organising worthwhile sessions when hes not sure what girls will turn up or what reason for not playing/training will be given. Bannside not only touchs on it but nails it regarding lack of games, lack of continuity, lack of organisation which leaves u with poorer standards and player/manager apathy. I spoke to 1 senior manager recently and he said they only played about 4 or 5 league games and 2 c'ships for a whole season, weres the developement, progression in that, no wonder he and many others are quitting. Play the games as arranged, get some sort of continuity in the season, stop calling of for stupid reasons, find out numbers b4 season begins, amalgamate if needed, play football. Then managers, supporters and refs might actually begin to fully support the set ups and the clubs and eventually county will benefit. Its worrying 4 all involved as it seems clubs are folding and u really can't blame managers if girls /ladies priorities don't lie in playing matchs when there scheduled. There needs to b a real attitude change full stop or we screwed and going no where fast. Heard there was no trials 4 county senior set up, just asked last years panel, about 25 and about 60 others that didn't commit last year and thats were the new panel came about 36 or so players in total have said yes. Don't think anyone was missed if about 80 + were invited and if only 36 said yes and 50 odd said no, well u can only take the horse to the water u can't make it drink.

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 06/11/2012 18:06:47    1293621

does any1 know the Senior ladies full squad and which clubs there from? I can't find it on any forums or the Down web page. I'd just like to know as i've heard a few names but not them all.

gaamna (Down) - Posts: 27 - 06/11/2012 18:09:44    1293625

Can't see how anyone is surprised by managers coming and going. The clubs seem to have a total disregard for any of the fitures and so the manager has difficulty preparing and organising worthwhile sessions when hes not sure what girls will turn up or what reason for not playing/training will be given. Bannside not only touchs on it but nails it regarding lack of games, lack of continuity, lack of organisation which leaves u with poorer standards and player/manager apathy. I spoke to 1 senior manager recently and he said they only played about 4 or 5 league games and 2 c'ships for a whole season, weres the developement, progression in that, no wonder he and many others are quitting. Play the games as arranged, get some sort of continuity in the season, stop calling of for stupid reasons, find out numbers b4 season begins, amalgamate if needed, play football. Then managers, supporters and refs might actually begin to fully support the set ups and the clubs and eventually county will benefit. Its worrying 4 all involved as it seems clubs are folding and u really can't blame managers if girls /ladies priorities don't lie in playing matchs when there scheduled. There needs to b a real attitude change full stop or we screwed and going no where fast. Heard there was no trials 4 county senior set up, just asked last years panel, about 25 and about 60 others that didn't commit last year and thats were the new panel came about 36 or so players in total have said yes. Don't think anyone was missed if about 80 + were invited and if only 36 said yes and 50 odd said no, well u can only take the horse to the water u can't make it drink.

So many valid points here in your post and i have to admit i agree in total with them. But there is no way they have spoken to 80+ players. Thats an average of 4 players per club. I know for a fact that my club were not approached and two neighbouring clubs are the same. But its hard to make a county panel when most of Bryansford are on it. Disgrace. There are - as usual - players on the panel who struggle at club level to make an impact and others that were not asked that are clearly better players. But thats is just OPINION and we are all entitled to that.

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 07/11/2012 12:12:22    1293946

in the defence, I have been talking to my club county players just last night and they reckon there is only 6/7 Bryansford max. 4 Carryduff, 2 Ballymartin, 2 Clonduff (late comers - not hard to see who pulled those strings)....so that the make up of your 2 senior and intermediate county finalists. add in the 2 kilcoo players and that is roughly 15 players from your 4 championship finalists and 2 league winners. To me that seems about right however i have heard very little about and Bredagh or Castlewellan involvement which i find very surprising to say the least.

What players have not been asked that our good enough for the squad? would be keen to see an outright squad list, maybe we would all name who we know are on the squad and we'll get some shape on it?

Also, when is the AGM?

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 07/11/2012 12:29:52    1293961

Surely it is worth trialing a new approach with club matches this year? Last season was a disaster with regards getting fixtures fulfilled (and the year before wasn't much better). I personally feel that Saturday night football is no longer appropriate. Other counties play mid week games, and it seems to work for them. I know this has been avoided in the past in Down due to conflicts with Camogie/Soccer/Referee Constraints, but is it not worth a try?? Get the club setup sorted & the County setup will also reap the benefits.

leg_end (Down) - Posts: 62 - 07/11/2012 12:45:18    1293976

Agree with leg-End

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 07/11/2012 13:31:16    1294024

sat night works for no one. we need to go out like the lads at the weekend. everyone needs a little tlc after a week of work and training and after a match. every year we are left making excuses for missing friends and familes parties and eventsover gaillicking footballl. we should get stuck in during the week and then get out over the weekend like the rest. i know plettty of girls who would love to have the crack with me over the weekend but dont see me because of my footbaling commitments.

tomcummingham (Down) - Posts: 155 - 11/11/2012 20:23:03    1296202

Bredagh's Clare Timoney won the Junior Player's Player of the Year award on Saturday night at the 2012 Ladies Football All Stars. Well done Clare! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bredagh-GAA/244875112205636

BREANDRUM (Down) - Posts: 26 - 12/11/2012 13:56:32    1296471

tomcummingham - if you are a player - then you need to realise that saturday night is the only available night in the week to play ladies football. Every other night is taken up by underage football and mens senior football. this is not going to change anytime soon - so either accept it - or do what every other girl does and quit... Your friends will spend loads of quality time with you then.. Claire timmoney dont complain about sat fixtures - thats why she wins all irelands as captain, all stars and player of the year...

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 12/11/2012 14:28:37    1296500

Duff there is are reasons why the men footballers, hurlers and camogs dont play on Saturday nights - Saturday night is a problem for a variety of reasons.
1. Most of the girls who play football in the county would fall into the 16-25 age bracket. Most of them want a social life of some sort
2. Most of these girls also hold down weekend jobs of some discription. Matches are played at 6.30 on Saturday night. Say Saval were playing in Bredagh then they would have to leave around 4.45. Girls who are working cant do that
3. In the Summer the All ireland qualifer games are on - not ideal for anybody either

one solution would be to play the games before a mens game on friday night or Sunday - a sort of double header. even if the girls teams end up playing at a neutral venue. For example - Mens Game Drumgath V Warrenpoint. Ladies Game Annaclone v Clonduff.

bannside (Down) - Posts: 20 - 13/11/2012 15:46:09    1297056

Duff there is are reasons why the men footballers, hurlers and camogs dont play on Saturday nights - Saturday night is a problem for a variety of reasons.
1. Most of the girls who play football in the county would fall into the 16-25 age bracket. Most of them want a social life of some sort
2. Most of these girls also hold down weekend jobs of some discription. Matches are played at 6.30 on Saturday night. Say Saval were playing in Bredagh then they would have to leave around 4.45. Girls who are working cant do that
3. In the Summer the All ireland qualifer games are on - not ideal for anybody either

one solution would be to play the games before a mens game on friday night or Sunday - a sort of double header. even if the girls teams end up playing at a neutral venue. For example - Mens Game Drumgath V Warrenpoint. Ladies Game Annaclone v Clonduff.

Just inrelation to the above post - i have a few pointers.

Point number one the girls are being asked to give up a saturday evening for 2 - 4 hours max. so if in your case saval are travelling to bredagh for a game at 7 - its over by 8.20 and they are back to their club rooms by 9.30 at the latest. Who in under god goes out before that time anyhow???
point number 2 - if girls are organised enough in their work situations - they can do this no problem. Yes they get a weekend job - but can they not swap a shift with someone on the sunday, or do a friday night shift instead. this is not an all year round venture - the girls need to give up 14 saturdays out of 52 for the league and a max of 4 for championship. Thats less than a third of the year given up. I played ladies football and i worked and i am not a martyr - but i was organised well in advance. My ex boss was a .. and would go out of his way to p*ss me off - but i was organised so that the shifts were covered so he had nothing til say.
point number 3 is laughable. The qualifier games are on - are you serious??? If this is ladies qualifier games then granted. If you are talking about down men qualifier games then wise up. Ladies either want to play football or they dont. Mens qualifier games is an excuse not to play. I have seen my club have a game called off for a qualifier game and the other team were not even at the game - they went on the p*ss in Newry. that is why the game is a farce at the minute.

And your last point - do you honestly think that a club would give up their pitch on a friday evening for a ladies game - when their showpiece mens team is appearing less than two hours later. It also runs into the problem that the mens games are at 7.30 so are you suggesting the girls play at 6 or 5.30 to allow the mens team to warm up. Wouldnt happen in a month of sundays...

My point is - and its very valid - girls either want to play football in this county or they dont. Stop the whinging and whinin and calling off games for no reason. I played football for 10 years in my club and loved every minute of it - but the same problems that were there in my day are still in todays games. If you sign up - be prepared to make sacrifice.

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 14/11/2012 11:22:55    1297477

Duff you are true visionary!!!

Lots of good positive ideas from you about pushing ladies football forward!

bannside (Down) - Posts: 20 - 15/11/2012 10:53:55    1298017

i see croke park are coming in to look at ways to solve issues and bring football in the county forward at underage level, good to see. Any more news on the county front? must be just settled in a working away now as ive no good or bad of late

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 15/11/2012 11:24:25    1298042

To be committed to a hobby, sacrifices will have to made in other areas of your life, I totally agree.
What I don't agree with is sacrifices for the sake of it. Duff you sound as though we can only offer a 'like it or lump it' or an 'all or nothing' approach to football.
I believe that we should try one change to see if it boosts participation in our sport. Ie. Mid week games. We badly need a boost.

I understand where you are coming from in some respects. I'm a long standing player, and my club team was my Social life, I would have done anything to make matches & training! My 'core; team mates were the of the same ilk, and by and large, those who were dedicated in the early days, are still the ones who show the most dedication.
But we are in a different Era to when Football first started in the county. There will always be the players who will make sacrifice after sacrifice for their football, unfortunately no club has 18 of these people.
And the committed people (players & managers) are the ones who suffer because not everyone is willing to put the rest of their lives on hold for football.
We can't hold it against those with other interests & commitments, it's a big world out there, what we have to do is try and make our sport more accessible to them.

As always....this is just my opinion! I'm not offering any solutions here I know, just my thoughts! :)

leg_end (Down) - Posts: 62 - 15/11/2012 12:42:55    1298099

Lets say the county board changed the fixtures to a thurs night of each week. Now a club with a U16 boys team or U14 boys team (not sure which team plays on thurs nights) have a home game and the ladies have a home game at same time. Unless the club has a second pitch - one of the teams are not going to be able to play. this leads to the fixture being tried to be rearranged and then we are back to square one. I also know that even if the U16s had a game away and the ladies had a home game - our u14s and minors train on a thurs night - where are they supposed to go?? I just think it will cause untold problems that we already have and cannot deal with.

I was talking to a manager of another club this year about the chaos of fixtures and he had similar sentiments to me with regard to play or dont. He also recommended that the clubs that dont fulfill fixtures due to poor reasons should be fined and deducted points for not fielding. I think when the committee of a club starts putting pressure on the ladies teams to turn up and play - they wil fulfill fixtures or not be entered the following year.

duff (Down) - Posts: 145 - 16/11/2012 10:53:36    1298524

' was talking to a manager of another club this year about the chaos of fixtures and he had similar sentiments to me with regard to play or dont. He also recommended that the clubs that dont fulfill fixtures due to poor reasons should be fined and deducted points for not fielding. I think when the committee of a club starts putting pressure on the ladies teams to turn up and play - they will fulfill fixtures or not be entered the following year'

with ladies teams generally struggling, most squads only reaching 20 players, I think that although clubs will pressure teams to field, this pressure will just have the knock on effect of girls getting sick of their clubs hounding them when they feel they are not able to play. then the club pulls the team out the following year and we are one less club in the county..... with word already of 2/3 clubs folding this year, can we really afford to risk losing more. I agree that games not getting played etc is a farce. Below is a short idea i think could benefit;

Rule 1: Date set by Co Board at start of year that all league fixtures must be completed by.
Rule 2: Any club that has outstanding games loses points and deducted a further 2 points from league standing.
Rule 3: Championship to be played after league
Rule 4: Any team deducted more than 4 points (having not played more than 2 fixtures or failed to field on more than 2 occasions are disqualified from championship for that season).

In the case of an outstanding game not being played due to failure to create a date between clubs, county board set a date, if either or both teams fail to play on that date, fixture is void and both teams get a 2 point deduction

TheKingdomgael (Down) - Posts: 167 - 16/11/2012 11:30:41    1298554