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What's wrong with Down?

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Down are now the worst I've ever seen them in many years. Remember, this was a team that arguably could have nicked an All Ireland in 2010 (esp if they hadn't had their best man sent off in a dodgy call in the semi). As a Tyrone fan, you always looked forward to a clash with Down, they always played with confidence (arrogance) and style. That's all gone; and football is the poorer for it. From a puzzled outsider's perspective, just two qs: why is P McGrath not manager of Down; and is Burns really the man for the Down job? essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 1141 - 10/02/2017 12:23:11 1954336 Link
They're a real anomaly over the last while. They'd a decent side from 2008-2011 and nearly nicked an All-Ireland in 2010. They had Cork in all sorts of problems early in that game and could have been out of sight by half time if memory serves. MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13719 - 10/02/2017 12:37:27 1954343 Link
Replying To essmac: "Down are now the worst I've ever seen them in many years. Remember, this was a team that arguably could have nicked an All Ireland in 2010 (esp if they hadn't had their best man sent off in a dodgy call in the semi). As a Tyrone fan, you always looked forward to a clash with Down, they always played with confidence (arrogance) and style. That's all gone; and football is the poorer for it. From a puzzled outsider's perspective, just two qs: why is P McGrath not manager of Down; and is Burns really the man for the Down job?" Nothing against the other counties,but they were always my favorite team from Ulster.Loved their brand of football.Disappointing to see them struggling,think Antrim are the only team I rate them above at the moment. ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 10/02/2017 12:46:31 1954345 Link
Replying To essmac: "Down are now the worst I've ever seen them in many years. Remember, this was a team that arguably could have nicked an All Ireland in 2010 (esp if they hadn't had their best man sent off in a dodgy call in the semi). As a Tyrone fan, you always looked forward to a clash with Down, they always played with confidence (arrogance) and style. That's all gone; and football is the poorer for it. From a puzzled outsider's perspective, just two qs: why is P McGrath not manager of Down; and is Burns really the man for the Down job?" Wee Pete was there long enough he probably stayed to long after all the successful years in the 90s, Think that wee Pete is a very good man manager and great football mind but with that you need a committed group of players and when he came to Fermanagh he got that and we are happy with him, Down football has a bigger issue then the manager. weemanmc (Fermanagh) - Posts: 102 - 10/02/2017 12:48:36 1954346 Link
Tbh Ziggy I wouldn't want to put too much money on them to beat Antrim either were they to meet. But Down have had spells in the doldrums before, if you were to take their two great teams out of it - 59 to 71 & 91 to 94 (albeit the 60's era possibly stretched across two teams) - they have only ever won another two Ulster Championships in 78 & 81 so perhaps it isn't as surprising as it seems. A lot of the aura is around the fact that they seemed to excel when getting to Croke Park, unlike other Ulster teams of the time for whom too many it was simply a nice day out after Ulster had been won. benched (Tyrone) - Posts: 534 - 10/02/2017 13:55:28 1954384 Link
From a distance,it's hard to know what the hell has happened to Down.They were Ulster's top dogs for many years when i was a young lad and brought great colour and huge support to Croke Park in '91 & '94.Played a lovely style of football and nobody got anything easy playing them.And even during this barren spell they managed to scrape past Kildare and reach the '10 final.Since then though it's been all down hill and there wouldn't be many backing them to beat Clare on Sunday.These things come in cycles i guess. cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 10/02/2017 13:59:43 1954387 Link
Replying To essmac: "Down are now the worst I've ever seen them in many years. Remember, this was a team that arguably could have nicked an All Ireland in 2010 (esp if they hadn't had their best man sent off in a dodgy call in the semi). As a Tyrone fan, you always looked forward to a clash with Down, they always played with confidence (arrogance) and style. That's all gone; and football is the poorer for it. From a puzzled outsider's perspective, just two qs: why is P McGrath not manager of Down; and is Burns really the man for the Down job?" Wasn't he told 'Thank but no thanks' when he went for the job. gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 10/02/2017 14:24:34 1954399 Link
Replying To benched: "Tbh Ziggy I wouldn't want to put too much money on them to beat Antrim either were they to meet. But Down have had spells in the doldrums before, if you were to take their two great teams out of it - 59 to 71 & 91 to 94 (albeit the 60's era possibly stretched across two teams) - they have only ever won another two Ulster Championships in 78 & 81 so perhaps it isn't as surprising as it seems. A lot of the aura is around the fact that they seemed to excel when getting to Croke Park, unlike other Ulster teams of the time for whom too many it was simply a nice day out after Ulster had been won." Plus it depends on the era of your youth. I was in my teens for most of the 90's,and Down were very strong for most of them years.Down and Derry overall were the teams in ulster. ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 10/02/2017 14:41:20 1954406 Link
I just can't see them staying in Div 2, they must have used more players over the last 3 or 4 years then any other county, only recognise a few of the names from the team that lost to Fermanagh. Thats probably a big part of the problem. TheWestIsAwake (UK) - Posts: 529 - 10/02/2017 14:45:48 1954410 Link
I was up in Newry last spring for our Division 1 clash with them and it was shocking how hopeless they were. They looked absolutely clueless and threw in the towel long before half time. I can't honestly remember seeing a worse team in Division 1 over the past decade and it seems like their form is carrying on into Division 2. Hard to understand how they can be so poor considering the huge passion for the game among Down folk. Hope they can turn things around and emerge as a force again soon. Still hoping to see the day Kerry can finally meet and beat ye in the Championship!!! TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 10/02/2017 15:32:21 1954429 Link
We are at our lowest in down as far as I can remember.... hopefully we can start to turn and be competive again. downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 10/02/2017 16:14:31 1954445 Link
Replying To essmac: "Down are now the worst I've ever seen them in many years. Remember, this was a team that arguably could have nicked an All Ireland in 2010 (esp if they hadn't had their best man sent off in a dodgy call in the semi). As a Tyrone fan, you always looked forward to a clash with Down, they always played with confidence (arrogance) and style. That's all gone; and football is the poorer for it. From a puzzled outsider's perspective, just two qs: why is P McGrath not manager of Down; and is Burns really the man for the Down job?" The really don't have the players simple as that - underage talent has dried up, funding way behind the big counties. IrishGael3 (USA) - Posts: 1092 - 10/02/2017 16:41:04 1954457 Link
Replying To IrishGael3: "The really don't have the players simple as that - underage talent has dried up, funding way behind the big counties." not fully upto speed with the Down set up..but as poster says Downs demise is scary..they seem to be going further back every year...they seem to have a real gem every generation (Benny Coulter springs to mind for most recent) and they go on for ever but never really win anything...I remember them in the early to mid 1980's and you would be "welded" to the transistor radio of a Sunday evening to hear how the Down/Armagh NFL Division 1 game went...they and Armagh were kind of nice teams to watch out for..I remember Paddy O'Rourke on radio some time ago saying about after they won one of their all Irelands of the 1990's , think it was 1991 he was captain, but he said he got up early the next morning after the All Ireland (Ime sure it was the next day which sounds unusual as would they not be staying in Dublin, but thats as I remember it anyway) and it was very very early and he walked the hills around his home (with the cup under his arm I think) and was taking in what the win meant to him and the people of his parish and indeed the county...i am just telling this in perspective to Downs demise in recent times...football needs the Downs and all such counties...my own Offaly included... Fairplayalways (Offaly) - Posts: 1034 - 11/02/2017 00:29:10 1954585 Link
Sleeping giant for sure, like Meath, except for Meath's is more of a coma :D realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8597 - 11/02/2017 00:40:49 1954587 Link
Replying To IrishGael3: "The really don't have the players simple as that - underage talent has dried up, funding way behind the big counties." This is a fair point. We just don't have the personnel in the squad lately to challenge for Ulster. I am still optimistic we can stay in the division but that is as good as it gets for the year I think. There are some claims that better players won't commit to the county team for various reasons but it is pointless to dwell on this or use it as an excuse. I'm sure other counties have men missing all the time. The lads that are in the panel are the best we have and they will get my support win, lose or draw. Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1550 - 11/02/2017 15:36:35 1954744 Link
As regards underage Down selected a young Armagh club player last Saturday for a fixture against Louth. This would have been unheard of before.... Down have lost one NFL game this yr, might loose more but the talent is there!!!! cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1676 - 11/02/2017 15:58:41 1954756 Link
Replying To essmac: "Down are now the worst I've ever seen them in many years. Remember, this was a team that arguably could have nicked an All Ireland in 2010 (esp if they hadn't had their best man sent off in a dodgy call in the semi). As a Tyrone fan, you always looked forward to a clash with Down, they always played with confidence (arrogance) and style. That's all gone; and football is the poorer for it. From a puzzled outsider's perspective, just two qs: why is P McGrath not manager of Down; and is Burns really the man for the Down job?" The really don't have the players simple as that - underage talent has dried up, funding way behind the big counties. IrishGael3 (USA) - Posts: 1092 - 11/02/2017 21:11:29 1954872 Link
I see we are 10 points down at half time today away to Clare FFS. Hurlers getting duffed as well. Grim Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1550 - 12/02/2017 14:42:12 1955200 Link
No disrespect to any teams that stuffed us lately but we are in a downward spiral which will be hard to stop... not sure what the answers are. downtothecore (Down) - Posts: 349 - 12/02/2017 15:59:30 1955265 Link
Replying To downtothecore: "No disrespect to any teams that stuffed us lately but we are in a downward spiral which will be hard to stop... not sure what the answers are." what about a manager from Tyrone? Its helped Monaghan football and now cavan have a tyrone man in there too. cacsmckilly (Tyrone) - Posts: 1294 - 12/02/2017 16:08:08 1955275 Link