Well singer, tell me exactly how Clonduff let the whole county down? Was it by getting to an Ulster Semi final and getting beat by a better team or what is your reason for saying that. I think you may have a we bit of the green eyed monster in you and are jealous that your team thats if you even play football can not make it to an ulster semi final. From what ive been reading on this web site I am going to say that you do play football or you are close to someone who play for the county and for one reason or another you do not like the management infact I would say you maybe arent good enought to play and you feel by coming on this message board and hiding behind a computer screen you can get back at the management team for not playing you are someone close to you.

RJ (Down) - Posts: 19 - 14/10/2008 12:45:30    118728

Because they gave an absolute inept performance on Sunday. That is not what county champions do.. They go into the provincial championships and show why they are county champs. Clonduff have been there for 3 successive years now and still have made no great strides to claiming the title... I do not hide behind a computer either - i train my local ladies team 3 times per week and work with underage at my club too - and if i feel like airing my thoughts on this discussion board - i am perfectly entitled to do that. If you cannot handle fact and truth - dont read it............

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 14/10/2008 13:26:41    118784

Singer who ever said Clonduff were good enough to win Ulster. The fact is that they are the best team in Down and have been for three years. That doesn't mean they underachieved in Ulster. Don't forget that Monaghan and Tyrone have got some very strong teams. I don't agree with the remark that they let the county down. They have twice reached the last four in Ulster and fair play to them. I don't believe they are good enough to win Ulster but they do give it a good shot. Yes they didn't play well on sunday and did look jaded but remember they are a dual club and had 7 or 8 of that team playing in a camogie county final a few weeks ago so they are entitled to be a bit tired. Down teams will win Ulster titles when other teams are pushing Clonduff and Castlewellan all the way on a more regular basis. Until that happens we will be second best.

gaaforall (Down) - Posts: 130 - 14/10/2008 14:45:55    118861

Well Singer, I am not from Clonduff but have watched them alot over the last couple of years and have to say that they have never let themselves down in any game that they have played in. You have said that they have won the county championship for the last 3 years and they have but they might have the same problem as the Bridge have in Senior football, they are not really getting much of a challenge in Down so when they move up a level they are not used to playing good teams and Singer my friend im afraid this is partly your fault because if you were any sort of coach you would have your team challenging Clonduff but yous arent good enough. Remember to Clonduff have only been playing Ladies football sice 2002 and since then they have won the Junior championship 2003 been beaten in the Intermediate Championship 2004 won the intermediate championship 2005 and have won the senior championship in 2006,2007 + 2008, why dont you tell us what club you are fromso we can compare to see how you measure up to the abobe success. You are entitled to your opinion but myself as well as every other user of this message board is sick of reading your negative comments relating to Ladies football, What exactly is your problem? Also you say, you are a manager then I suspect you are jealous you have never been offered the county job and that is why you seem to have a problem with the current management.

RJ (Down) - Posts: 19 - 14/10/2008 14:55:17    118866

I am so happy that we can read this message board and see that others are ignoring Singer. If the county listened to you then it would give up with ladies football. your negativity has to be the worst i'v seen for some time. do you not realise that a lot of girls come onto this site and read your rubbish, putting doubts in their minds. they are good players and we have a good management set-up, so i feel that it is only right that we get behind them and stop running them down. if they deserve criticism then fair enough but at least wait til they play a match. And as for Clonduff, congrats and hard luck. u's did us all proud getting so far. At least u showed up and tried. where was singers team?! I am almost ashamed to have such negativity from a ladies manager in our county. if ppl frm other counties read this they will say it is a disgrace, and rightly so. Tell us what club you are from if you are so proud of yourself. If you cant do that then at least have the decency to get behind our county.

downman (Down) - Posts: 25 - 14/10/2008 17:06:21    119006

Agree with all of the above posts - singer 'put up or shut up' everyone is sick and tired of your rants. However on another note was at the Clonduff game (well left early) and certainly Donegal were the much better side their movement and ball work was fantastic - there No.6 was probably one of the best players i've seen in a long time. Clonduff didn't do themselves justice and infact i think it was one of those really bad days where nobody performs (and i mean nobody). I've since heard that Clonduff were carrying about half a dozen injuries into the game and to agree with singer for once - they did look a tired team. I know they have alot of dual players and it does beg the question whether a dual player can exist in these modern times. I know people will say look at Cork but they are the exception - look at the counties in Ulster who are dominating Ladies football - Monaghan (camoige low profile), Tyrone (Camogie low profile), Donegal (very little Camogie), Armagh (once agreat Camogie County now lagging behind). Off the others Down have probably made the best strides with both sports but it is having its toll and i think the clubs and county need to look at it. What are your thoughts?

Sam69 (Down) - Posts: 46 - 15/10/2008 10:07:31    119294

I believe that both codes can exist and be successful at the same time. Last year Clonduff won both the camogie and football championships. The problem with football and camogie to an extent is that there is not enough competition at club level with 2 or 3 top teams dominating and the rest fighting for survival. There must also be common sense from managers so that dual players are not overtrained be that at club or county level. We may never be a cork but I think Down have made great strides and hopefully next year we can be playing in Division 1 with the top teams regularly and this again will improve the standard within the county and bring us further forward.

gaaforall (Down) - Posts: 130 - 15/10/2008 10:41:14    119324

I definitely agree with that Sam69. It will be a long hard season for those playing either code, never mind both codes. there are a lot of players that can deal with it, however they do show it sometimes. Fair play to them for being so committed, i just hope they dont burn themselves out, which will happen. However this could open the whole debate about both codes. they are never going to work together, unfortunately that is. however perhaps they could try and deal a bit better with dual players. I dont know how, but it would definitely help the duals, because they aren't machines...

downman (Down) - Posts: 25 - 15/10/2008 10:41:38    119325

In reply to the message about the Clonduff game on Sunday, I know for a fact that at least 6-7 girls were not fit, No matter what the team is you can not play girls that are not fit and expect to win. Clonduffs major problem is that they seemed to have gone a bit stale over the last year and I think that from watching them that this is coming from a few things. Firstly their manager has been with them from they started and had 3 daughters on the team, I know everyone needs commited men and im not saying that their is anything wrong with their manager because his record speaks for itself but it may be worth looking at another option next year to freshen ideas and attitudes up. They do not play as a team, They have a game plan which seems to use 5-6 players and the rest of the players seem not to be involved, if a team are to be succesful they must play and work as a team. They have went backwards on their basic skills this year, the amount of girls that do not seem confident on the ball the other day was unreal. I am not crirising Clonduff because they have set the benchmark for Ladies football in Down and it us to the rest of the teams to try and catch up with them but if Clonduff are to win an Ulster title I feel that they will need to work on the above points.

RJ (Down) - Posts: 19 - 15/10/2008 11:09:12    119347

Some of your views are correct - Clonduff are certainly not good enough to win Ulster... Clonduff use mainly 5-6 players and the rest could go home... Clonduff are exposed when they leave down simply because there is not enough competition for them in down circles and they walk through the championship year after year and bow out early in Ulster year after year. I dont agree with criticising their management structure - that is the back bone of their success and i for one am envious that they can have 4-6 people involved with their senior ladies team... Most other clubs have trouble getting one person involved... But remember when they went up to the senior league it was by default - they transferred in players and got the right ones then won plenty of silverware

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 15/10/2008 14:24:04    119508

Singer, it is good to see you have started to agree with people but I still disagree with you in some of your points, Firstly I have already praised The Clonduff manager for his success but I can tell you that although they have a number of people running along with them, most notably Kevin MC Gourty and in previous years Paul Mc Shane, these men have been brought on board as trainers and _________ has had the final say in team selections, hence why one of his daughters has played when she is not fit after sustaining an injury. If Clonduff want to progress in Ulster I think they will need a new managememt team with fesh ideas. You have said that there is not enough competition for them in Down but like yesterday when I said this is not their fault, they can only beat what is infront of them and if other clubs arent up to it that is there problem not Clonduffs. You have stated that Clonduff only moved up to the seniors by default but tell me how this is as they won the intermediate championship in 2005 giving them the right to compete in the senior championsip in 2006 which they went on to win. You have also said about players transferring in but Clonduff have only transferred 3 players in to their team and this only ever came about when Bosco folded, the girls in question 2 of whom are originally from Clonduff asked to move back to their original parish, Clonduff never went looking these girls and althogh they have improved the quality of the team the foundations of a good team had already been layed and I have no doubt that Clonduff would have won a senior Championship without them, infact maybe having these girls disrupts the team ethic that had been in place prior to them coming to play for Clonduff.

RJ (Down) - Posts: 19 - 15/10/2008 15:48:35    119617

RJ gets your facts right... Yes they won the Intermediate championship in 2005 but they did not win the intermediate league and unless you win that - you dont have the right to play in the senior championship.... This is not mens football.... They got up by default.. Another thing - girls are supposed to play for a club in their parish or closest to their parish - there is Shamrocks and Saval for the Downeys to play for but they werre allowed to slip through the net to Clonduff... Its nothing to do with their birth parish rubbish - the fact is they should be playing for either of the two named clubs above.... Last point for the morning - you have no right to criticise the Clonduff manager for picking his daughter (s) as they are excellent footballers all 3 of them and worth their place in any club team in the county.. This man has served this club ladies team from the beginning and won all the silverware with them - clubs need people like him involved.. The county could do worse than get him involved with some of the teams they have as he is an excellent coach and manager......

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 16/10/2008 08:43:19    120087

RJ - sorry must disagree. I don't have a problem with the three transfers into Clonduff as yes they originate from that area and it was a result of another club folding but Clonduff would never have won a senior championship without them.

Sam69 (Down) - Posts: 46 - 16/10/2008 09:54:53    120129

Well Singer You may get your facts right because they did win the Intermediate Double in 2005, I suggest you visit the Clonduff web site, therfore they earned the right to compete at senior level and did not require any favours from any one. Secondly, Yes the trio of girls could have played for other teams bit they choose Clonduff, As I said previouly Clonduff never went looking for them. Im very anxious to here what club you are involved with because I have no doubt if it is one of the bigger Ladies teams, yous will also have players that are not from your parish. I know for a fact that Bryansford, Annaclone amongst others have girls who are not from the parish and who even have nothing to do with that parish. Lastly Singer I am not critising the Clonduff manager for picking his daughters and I agree with you that his 3 daughters are very good footballers and I have no doubt that they would be playing regardless of who the manager is, what I was saying is that One of his daughters was picked to play in a game were she was clearly not fit to play in and has been struggling with an injury but is constantly left on when she is clearly struglling, How come she Did not start the Camogie final a week after the football final. Let me say again I am not critising the Clonduff manager as his record speaks for itself but what I am saying is maybe he has taken the girls as far as he can and if they want to make the next step it may be time for him to step a side and let someone else take control. If the Clonduff manager stays I have no doubt that next season they will be there are there abouts. I hope that I have made my thoughts on theat matter clear to you singer. I will leave the critising to you because that is what you are good at.

In reply to Sam 69, no doubt that the trio of girls have helped Clonduff and they are exceptional places but I firmly believe that Clonduff would have won a Senior championship without them as they have alot of quality players, I suppose its something we will never know but Im sure if you talk to any of the girls that were there before that trio came they will agree with me. In fact Clonduff had drawn Bosco in the 2006 Championship before they folded and were pretty confident of beating them.

RJ (Down) - Posts: 19 - 16/10/2008 11:32:07    120240

RJ - i was present at the county board meeting when they specifically asked to be put into the senior league as they were reforming the whole structure.... They didnt earn the right to play up there... Yes i am involved with one of the top teams in the county and i guarantee you - we have no players from outside our parish boundries... There are not too many clubs can say that... We simply wouldnt have them as we have enough girls in our own parish to play football without taking in stragglers from other places....... Its easy to win things when you can go out and transfer in players as often as you please - the real joy comes from winnin with your own..... Bredagh, Clonduff, Saval, Burren will never have that pleasure.......

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 16/10/2008 14:39:02    120426

So singer you are contradicting yourself, earlier you told us that because they didnt win the League they should not have been playing as the League winners move up but as they did win the League surley it is their right to move up and why would they need to ask, Was it that the County board maybe asked them would they like to move up and they said as they had already won both the Junior and intermediate Doubles, that they would like to move up. They also have tasted success at the above for mentioned levels without any outsiders therefore they know what it is like to win without outsiders. I notice you have said that you have not staed what club you are from but have stated that, yous dont need outsiders, so I suggest the following clubs can all be ruled out. Burren, Saval, Breadagh, Annaclone, Bryansford, Kilcoo and Castlewellan, these are the clubs that im aware of that have players from outside their parish playing for them. Why dont you tell us what club you are from are, are you ashamed of your club. Not that it matters that much to me singer as im not really that bothered about Ladies football, but what is your problem?

RJ (Down) - Posts: 19 - 16/10/2008 15:13:44    120487

i have been on the sideline for a while reading these posts and i must admit i have been tryin to work out where singer is from. If i am to believe RJ that u cant be from any of those clubs then it would leave downpatrick as the only senior club left however i remeber that u were at the intermediate final when downpatrick were playin their semi suggestin u arent from downpatrick. I had initially thought maybe burren/saval but now i'm not at all sure!!!

boredatwork (Down) - Posts: 4 - 16/10/2008 16:00:17    120526

RJ for someone who claims they are not really bothered by ladies football - you have an awful lot to say............ And boredatwork why is it such a problem what club i am from... We are working on a need to know basis - and you dont need to know..... Whats the crack with the ladies in the last couple of days - have been away on hols......

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 23/10/2008 10:17:49    124719

does anybody know wat teams are entered for the minors this weekend. I have heard the burren/mayobridge/kilcoo have all joined to make one team. I cant believe that none of these teams have enough under 18s to field a team themselves? I doubt there is a team in the county that can field a minor team made up of only minors, wta is everyone else doin??/

theblackspot (Down) - Posts: 17 - 23/10/2008 13:08:56    124916

Burren ladies are becomming as big a mess as their men are then... That club just take players from anywhere and everywhere.... They played in an under 16 final at the weekend surely these girls plus a few others who are the appropriate age should be going forward to make a minor panel.. Why are Kilcoo girls jumping ship to them?????? Surely they should be going to an east down club to compete and leave the south down ones to do their own thing.

singer (Down) - Posts: 330 - 23/10/2008 14:08:09    125012