MourneArmy
County: Down
Posts: 403

seems hard to make since as they why he's leaving really

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 08/06/2011 13:16:31    950441

Lads he not leaving because of the criticism. He has said that hes leaving because his heart isnt in it any more. He did mention internet critics but said that wasnt why he was leaving, saying more about how cowardly it is criticising from behind a computer. Disapointing to see him leave, hope to see him back in the future.

Down and out (Down) - Posts: 65 - 08/06/2011 13:22:53    950449

...Seriously?

Derry_ledd (Derry) - Posts: 2093 - 08/06/2011 13:23:37    950452

I copy and paste from main article.

"Players and managers alike take a lot of abuse on those things. That's not the reason why I'm retiring"

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5524 - 08/06/2011 13:25:48    950458

Very disappointing news that John Clarke has retired - he has suffered a lot this year and last for the fact that he hasn't been scoring as prolifically as our other forwards and isn't as naturally headline-hitting as the likes of Hughes, Coulter or his brother Martin. I personally think that he may have been affected by the fact that he left the panel in 2009 after a disagreement with then-manager Ross Carr - he was our best forward in 2008 and racked up some big scores in that year's championship. Since then he's noticeably lacked pace and can struggle to get into a game. But given space he's an excellent finisher. I think it would be fair to say that Down fans have a lot of affection for John Clarke and it's very sad that he's no longer a member of the panel.

Gabriel. (Down) - Posts: 412 - 08/06/2011 13:29:00    950468

moomoo
County: Kerry
Posts: 325

seems hard to make since as they why he's leaving really


What?

Down and out (Down) - Posts: 65 - 08/06/2011 13:31:28    950474

Seems to be some confusion over what John actually said - these are his quotes:

"The Armagh defeat made me think a lot. You get a lot of criticism. You don't mind people criticising you to your face, but you do have your critics who sit behind computer screens and are on discussion boards, which is cowardly.

"Players and managers alike take a lot of abuse on those things. That's not the reason why I'm retiring - but there's criticism and there's criticism.

"Definitely, after the Armagh game it just got to a point where I just thought it wouldn't be fair. I wouldn't be one for doing things half-hearted and - if I wasn't going back fully committed with my heart in it - there was probably no point.

"So I just thought I'd be doing myself an injustice and I'd be doing the team an injustice.

"I just thought the time was right, for the time being anyway - never say never in football - but as of now I've played my last game for Down."


- John said alright that the criticism wasn't the reason he retired - but then says there is criticism and there is criticism.... it doesn't look like it was the main reason for his retirement but it would seem that criticism played a part in his decision.

Daithi2009 (Louth) - Posts: 282 - 08/06/2011 13:40:38    950493

Daithi2009
County: Louth
Posts: 155

John said alright that the criticism wasn't the reason he retired - but then says there is criticism and there is criticism.... it doesn't look like it was the main reason for his retirement but it would seem that criticism played a part in his decision.

Well said Daithi. That would be what i was thinking about his decision too.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 08/06/2011 14:09:49    950544

Down and out
County: Down
Posts: 37

950474 moomoo
County: Kerry
Posts: 325

seems hard to make since as they why he's leaving really

What?

Firat he says he's ''he grew disillusioned with the barrage of constant criticism from so-called supporters'' then he say's ''That's not the reason why I'm retiring - but there's criticism and there's criticism.''

moomoo (Kerry) - Posts: 4023 - 08/06/2011 14:12:54    950547

So all the people here getting up on their high horses about amateur players being criticized have never said any of their counties players had a bad game?
Because that would be criticism.

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 08/06/2011 14:26:06    950568

Both John and Marty Clarkes egos are to big for Down GAA.

TYRONE_MICK (Tyrone) - Posts: 332 - 08/06/2011 17:01:29    950806

Anyway, if it's not the reason why he's retiring he shouldn't have mentioned it in the first place.

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 08/06/2011 17:19:06    950835

John Clarke has been a great player for Down for years and has never got all that much recognition at a national level. He really was a key part in helping Down getting promotion from division 2 and getting to the AIF. Always though of john as a very smart full forward as he seems to bring the full back out of the matches which leaves space for the other forwards to get the scores. Never seemed to get much recognition for this.

BlackSpot10 (Down) - Posts: 36 - 08/06/2011 17:35:29    950856

BlackSpot10
County: Down
Posts: 28

950856 John Clarke has been a great player for Down for years and has never got all that much recognition at a national level. He really was a key part in helping Down getting promotion from division 2 and getting to the AIF. Always though of john as a very smart full forward as he seems to bring the full back out of the matches which leaves space for the other forwards to get the scores. Never seemed to get much recognition for this.

you are exactly right, thats what his main strength as a player is, leaving room for the other players

How can the person above say that John Clarkes ego is too big? He has represented Down in some way since 1999 that is a lot of time and effort

cboyle92 (Down) - Posts: 184 - 08/06/2011 18:34:08    950922

Thats a bit soft in fairness!

Cant wait to see soccer players like Giggs come out and say: "Im giving up football because I dont like twitter!"

The lad should grow a pair and realise that people have been bitching and moaning and complaining about the performance sportsmen since Pontious was a Pilot and he put a few lads into the colosseum for a bit of entertainment!! Fact of life lad..............get over yerself!!!

Ehh, the next time a sportsman wants to stamp his feet again like a petulant child, he should wear a pair of pink wellies and fit in with the relevant age group for those actions!!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus...Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 08/06/2011 19:06:30    950964

John Clarke has been a part of Down county football for a long time. He is an intelligent forward with an eye for a goal. 2011 has been his worst year. Some Down posters in 2010 picked on John when it came down to competition for places, especially after Ronan Murtagh became a force again.

Dan Gordon quit due to lack of hunger early last year but came back stronger and better.

Good luck to John.

ajdoyle78 (Down) - Posts: 520 - 08/06/2011 19:08:35    950969

I never thought a bit of criticism on a forum could make a player give up playing for his county? A bit over sensitive if you ask me.
But then again, I wonder if it might work with more lads..
That Bernard Brogan who plays for Dublin is useless and his brother Alan is worse. LOL..

bryanadams (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 08/06/2011 19:28:30    951000

bryanadams
County: Kildare
Posts: 205

951000
I never thought a bit of criticism on a forum could make a player give up playing for his county? A bit over sensitive if you ask me.
But then again, I wonder if it might work with more lads..
That Bernard Brogan who plays for Dublin is useless and his brother Alan is worse. LOL..

Brilliant!!!

Daithi2009 (Louth) - Posts: 282 - 08/06/2011 20:04:40    951036

Thats a bit soft in fairness!

Cant wait to see soccer players like Giggs come out and say: "Im giving up football because I dont like twitter!"

The lad should grow a pair and realise that people have been bitching and moaning and complaining about the performance sportsmen since Pontious was a Pilot and he put a few lads into the colosseum for a bit of entertainment!! Fact of life lad..............get over yerself!!!

Ehh, the next time a sportsman wants to stamp his feet again like a petulant child, he should wear a pair of pink wellies and fit in with the relevant age group for those actions!!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus...Laochra Gael

Read the article he said that he quit because his heart wasn't in it and he would be doing the team an injustice, and ryan giggs obviously wouldnt quit football because that is HIS JOB WHICH HE IS PAID TO DO

cboyle92 (Down) - Posts: 184 - 08/06/2011 21:39:09    951149

The top county, and club, players get professional type criticism from the media who are mostly well paid for their opinions. Most of us also give them pelters so pay them to ease the pain. If top GAA officials, GAA administrators, GAA pundits, GAA coaches etc can make a living out of the Association then why can't the players also take a piece of the cake. John Clarke is correct to a certain extent, these guys put in months of hard graft and give up social and sometimes family life for the games so when one of them gives it back it's fair comment.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9840 - 08/06/2011 21:51:55    951167