TURASCAIL AN RUNAÍ 2018 / COUNTY SECRETARY REPORT 2018

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How should we evaluate the year 2018 for Down GAA, how would the report be signed off, would it be a must improve comment, would it be a case of fair to average with more commitment needed, would we say can and must do better, or a case of potential but hard work needed. There were good things happened in Down GAA in 2018, occasions when we hung out our brightest colours and showed how can deliver to the highest standard.

There were other occasions when mediocrity was the norm and we became very good at mediocracy and then there was the ugly when we showed the Country our poor and unacceptable side. Yes, for Down GAA it was a year of mixed feelings and mixed emotions, pride and shame shared equal space in 2018 in the world of Down GAA.

The eyes of the Country and indeed if we take Social Media into account the eyes of the world were focused upon us when images from one of our fixtures went viral and everyone was shocked by what they saw. The images represented all that should not be about the GAA, physical violence has no place in our games or indeed at any level in our Association. The fact that they might take place within the confines of GAA property is not excuse for acceptance of and turning a blind eye to such incidents, if these incidents were happening on a public street after a Saturday Night out they would be deemed to be assault and Grievous Bodily Harm. They would lead to prosecutions and possible sentencing all of which can have a huge impact on the life of the victim and the transgressor.

Someone will get badly hurt in some of these incidents if they are to continue at our Grounds, The One Punch message has been part of a campaign by the GAA and the Authorities in recent times and it is a very real message. Facts are that One Punch could kill and that is in honesty something none of us would ever dare to dream of happening at a GAA game but reality is that it could. For a moment let us think of the repercussions and the consequences of such for one person it could mean the end of their life and all because they attended a GAA game or they made a throw away comment or were too vocal for someone else and they are struck, they fall to the ground and lose consciousness.

The perpetrator has in 10 seconds maybe gone from watching a game on a Sunday afternoon or a Friday evening to being someone who now faces a charge of Murder or Manslaughter. That is reality there is no dressing it up or no minimising the damage that can be caused when we forget that we are at a GAA Match. One Punch can have such an effect on the victim on their family, their community and in the reverse One Punch can have a similar effect on the Perpetrator, their family and their community. No one in the GAA should be subject to either, in the North of Ireland the GAA has witnessed enough heartbreak for its members in our troubled history, we do not need to start now to bring this back upon ourselves.

Stamping this type of behaviour out at our games is within our own gift, we need now to seriously address the matter, and our Rulebook offers us sanctions that permit us to deal with such incidents at our games. Yes, we might need to take account of societal changes to allow us to fully deal with matters but we need too to look at our Mind-set.

In the GAA world today when a penalty is offered by the CCCC at County, Provincial or National Level the first inclination is to immediately launch a request for a Hearing. Even when guilt is apparent and obvious, even when supported by video evidence, the inclination is to go on the offensive and to find a loophole that gets our Man Off.

We go to arm ourselves with Solicitors and Barristers who will scan the rulebook and also seek to delve in the archives to see if there was perhaps a DRA Judgement that might in some obscure way get our Man Off and sure we will have him the next day and we will win that game. There might also be the defence whereby really it was the CCCC fault in the first instance or indeed the fault of the Match Officials. We have all seen instances of these events happening where something flashes up on the great Arm of Social Media You Tube, we see evidence of wrongdoing and then we hear later that everyone was cleared and any proposed action was overturned.

There is an onus on Counties in the first instance and I say Counties in that I believe that the leadership must come from the top to start to say, No, our man did do wrong and we are accepting the penalty. Counties must be prepared then to say to the Team Manager that the particular player was guilty and that the proposed penalty is being accepted. Do I believe that Counties will take that stance? Well I believe that if we are to be leaders in our Association then we must be prepared to do so.

I am not saying that we just accept everything but I am saying that if we look at the Official Guide and we genuinely feel that we have evidence that would be incontrovertible in overturning an error by a match official then yes, we seek a hearing that is permitted in the GAA Process.

If Counties take the lead in such then it can follow down to Clubs, the Club Chairperson or Secretary has to be strong enough to say No, we did wrong and we are accepting the penalty. Failure to do this by Counties and Clubs going forward will only mask the situation until that day that none of us want when someone will find themselves facing a custodial sentence for their actions on a GAA Pitch or within the confines of a GAA Ground.

The scenes that we witnessed this year are not what we encourage our young people to see when we look for them to join our Clubs, we have in my mind the greatest games in the world why would we let them become tarnished when all we really have to do is treat people with respect.

The fact that we have the greatest games in the World was particularly evident at the end of June 2018 when Down along with Louth and Meath hosted National Féile. What an occasion that proved to be as the Clubs of Down responded to the call and proved to be outstanding hosts. The fact that Féile was under leadership of the National Chairperson Diarmuid Cahill was going to be a huge factor in its success for we in Down are indeed privileged to have a man of his calibre in our ranks.

Thirty-Eight Clubs played host to visitors from every County in Ireland and Beyond, Contacts had been made weeks and months in advance, clean ups had been organised and all of our Grounds and Facilities were looking magnificent in anticipation.

When it came Friday Afternoon on the 29th of June Down GAA and the Clubs of Down had hung out our brightest colours and were ready to welcome guests and ready to open their homes to fellow Gaels. It was to be a fabulous weekend for the visitors and also most importantly for the Down Clubs who were acting as hosts.

No stone was left unturned as everyone rolled up their sleeves and made a he effort to ensure that Féile 2018 would be long remembered as one of the best ever and as a highlight of the GAA year in Down.

Everyone has their own particular memories of that weekend for me visiting grounds on the Saturday and seeing the smiles on people’s faces as everyone was genuinely embracing the spirit of Féile, of the Parade in Newcastle on the Saturday evening as we walked along the Main Street on an occasion when the GAA came to Town. On the Sunday in Clonduff where the dimutive Scottish Team were rushing their schedule to make the next boat and this was not the Strangford Ferry they were aiming to catch and at Finals in Burren where teams went toe to toe and there was not a sweeper in sight.

It was an exhausted County Down that went to sleep on Sunday Night but smiling in the recall of a job well done and where once again just like in Congress of 2010, Down GAA showed that we are good at what we do.

Just a few weeks ago we came together in the Canal Court Hotel to host our County Dinner and to pay tribute to the Men of 1968, 50 years on from their All Ireland success over Kerry. This was a special occasion and with the Ulster Bank Club Awards to be presented it was a night where Club and County were coming together as one. How great it was to have so many of the Team and Management with us and to be joined as well by greats from Kerry and Cavan, we spared a thought to for those of that era no longer with us, Our Captain Joe Lennon, Team Manager Gerry Brown and stalwarts Brendan Sloan and Pat McAlinden all great men who played their part. On the night we were honoured too to have with us Donie O Sullivan, Tom Prendergast and Brendan Lynch from Kerry as well as Gabriel Kelly and Jim McDonnell from Cavan, who I have to say all had no hesitation in wanting to be there, we really appreciated their presence.

Our own John Devaney was an excellent master of ceremonies and there was consensus that this had been a special night where we were able to honour our Club Stars of 2018 and the men of 1968 fifty years on, men who helped make us who we are today. They deserve every tribute that we can give them for they achieved the highest accolades for this County, back in 1968, they were National League Champions, All Ireland Champions and lest we forget World Champions, they were a breed apart.

So in evaluating 2018 yes we had lows, we were relegated to Division Three, we tamely exited the Ulster Championship and our inter county season was over in June, we lost some great people from our ranks, taken too soon from us. Our lowest ebb as a County was though in the disgraceful scenes in a Club Fixture in October of this year, scenes that should never ever be repeated in our County, we all have a duty to make sure that this never ever happens again.

We had highs though too, as said we hosted Féile and we also hosted the celebrations for our 1968 All Ireland winning team, we had excellent County Finals at all grades and by and large good County Championships. We are focused on delivering Planning Permission in 2019 for our Down GAA Centre at Ballykinlar and we are continuing to make progress in addressing our Financial Commitments.

In Summary 2018 was a mixed report for Down GAA, we have to take everything on board and we have to learn.

County Teams

If 2017 had been a year of promise for us, then 2018 came with great expectation and we were looking forward to the season ahead especially when we were set to commence the Season with a Home tie against Armagh in the Dr McKenna Cup and add to that a Home Ulster Championship tie v Antrim in 2018. It looked as if now that we were going to get a run of Home fixtures at Pairc Esler and the tide seemed to be turning, we had in 2017 returned to Croke Park and 2018 was looked forward to with optimism.

Alas it was to be a misplaced optimism and was to prove to be indicative of a malaise that has seemingly affected Down Football over recent years, where we take two steps forward and them seemingly three steps backwards. We fail to build on what should seem natural, it is eight years now since we burst out on to Croke Park and were one point away from winning an All-Ireland title. In that time since we have reached two Provincial Finals without success and have had no trophies to show for our efforts on the football field bar in 2018 an Ulster Minor League Shield. We look like we can deliver, we are already fuelled with optimism that in 2019 in May we will play host to Armagh in the Ulster Championship and that we can win. Where does that optimism come from? for we are now in reality a Division Three team, we have not won an Ulster Title for 25 years and really we have been seen to be aristocrats but with a soft under belly, hard work and County success do not seem to be in our vocabulary.

There is a new management team in place our fourth management team now from 2010 and all of the previous in their own style and manner worked very hard to make Down successful again, nothing was spared in Team preparation, anything asked for was delivered upon, no management could tell you otherwise. Now delivery has to come from within, those players who wear the Red and Black at any level and in any code have to have the desire and the work ethic to want to make success happen, the burning desire must be from within the jersey.

The demands on an Inter County player are said now to be greater than ever but if that is the case to be true then it must also be said that the benefits for an Inter County player are also greater. The welfare of the County player is paramount now, excellent medical cover is in place for all teams, travel allowances are paid and a weekly food allowance is also in situ, top quality gear and footwear is provided and health and well-being matters are also addressed. I have often felt that the only thing to improve about Down County Football and Hurling in recent times has been the lifestyle of the Inter County player and therein lies the challenge- Is the Down Footballer and Hurler really prepared to go that extra mile in 2019? Do they believe that we can and will succeed? And will they do what it takes to get a football team out of Division Three and a Hurling Team out of Division 2B. Our Stock going into 2019 is low indeed across both Codes we are at our lowest point now but let us hope it is a case of the Darkest Hour before the Dawn.

2018 began with a Dr McKenna Cup tie meeting with Armagh in Pairc Esler and the return of Jim McCorry to the Inter County Side-line this time with Armagh, over 1,500 supporters turned up to watch what turned out to be an entertaining 70 minutes of football. On the night, it was to be Armagh who were successful winning by 2-12 to 0-13 with goals coming from Andrew Murnin and Ronan Lappin.

Down gave debuts to Arron Morgan and Ronan Millar and there was definite promise shown by these two men with Millar in particular kicking three points.

The Weather was to prove a big factor in the next outing v Derry after much debate on the day as to whether the game would actually take place or not, it was finally agreed that after a twenty-minute delay in the start time due to Heavy Fog that the game would go ahead. The delay in the start time seemed to suit Down and with Celtic Park slowly clearing of Fog goals from Sean Dornan and Kevin McKernan put Down 2-7 to 0-8 ahead at Half Time. Derry reacted well in the second half, with Enda Lynn prominent were soon back in the game, and had struck four unanswered points as the game ebbed and flowed. The fog was now turning the game into a lottery and with Down holding on to a two-point lead, the ball was misplaced by a Down defender who seemed to give a pass straight to Niall Toner for the Derry man to put the ball in the net. No one could even see who had given the ball away or who had actually scored but the lights of the scoreboard now read Derry 1-14 Down 2-10.

It was a night that questioned the merit of playing these fixtures at this time of year, a game that was not over until nearly 10.00pm and which saw players finally get home in the wee small hours and everyone had to be at their work early the next morning. Perhaps it would be an idea for the pre-season competitions to be regionalised as opposed to being played on a Provincial basis if we are going to have mid-week fixtures. Would there be merit in Meath Louth and perhaps Sligo being included in a 12 Team Dr McKenna Cup? And being in a group with regional Ulster neighbours. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel the old North East Minor Competition involving Meath and Louth would surely give us the template to be innovative with no journey being more than an Hour on a Wednesday night.

Down v UUJ had fallen foul to the frost in Burren on the first Sunday and now we were back again to Burren where Eamonn Burns was hoping that he would get a win under his belt ahead of the Louth clash in the Allianz League. It was a dead rubber game but Eamonn Burns was pleased with the team performance and the highlights were a goal from Connaire Harrison and three points from play by Shay Millar. So on a score line of 1-14 to 0-9 Down overcame the students and could now look forward to the commencement of the Allianz Football League.

It is worth noting that Donegal were the winners of the Dr McKenna Cup when they beat Tyrone in the final. I will be accused of indulging in nostalgia but I believe that we should aim to win the Dr McKenna Cup in 2019. The competition was the first Senior Trophy Down had won when it was captured in 1944, I also recall the late TP Murphy being most annoyed when Down put out a weakened team in the Final of the Competition in the early 90’s, he believed you didn’t give other counties a sniff of silverware if you were ruthless enough. Donegal and Tyrone who contested the final in 2018 were both in the Super eights, one was a Provincial Champion and one was an All-Ireland finalist yet in January 2018 they both wanted to win the Dr McKenna Cup for they are imbued in a winning culture. We have at all ages to develop that winning culture and no better way to start than with a Dr McKenna Cup in 2019.

Back to 2018 and the Allianz Football League saw us travel to Drogheda for the first game of the League v Louth and a meeting between Eamonn Burns and his former Manager Pete McGrath. The Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda is always a tight ground to get a win in and on a day when there was a strong breeze and a heavy pitch Down had to dig in. The introduction from the bench of Kevin McKernan, Donal O Hare and Darren o Hagan helped Down build on a half time lead and Connaire Harrison took up where he left off in 2017 by tormenting the Louth Full back and finished with 1-3 to his name. The 2018 League campaign had got off to a good start on the road with Down winning 1-14 to 0-11.

Since 2010 Cork have been a thorn in the side of many Down Teams, our result against them in 2017 had seen us remain in the second Division and that draw in Pairc Ui Rinn had been our best in living memory against the Rebel County. In a tight Division you need to be winning your Home games and especially if you have only three Home games then you do need to be securing two points at home. So with a win already gained on the road it was clear that if Down were to win their three Home games then they should be safe in Division Two.

The performance against Cork was sluggish in the first half and it was largely through the free taking of Anthony Doherty that Down went in at Half time just one point in arrears. We all expected the team to kick on and especially after Shay Millar had brought the sides level after half time. It was not to be however and Cork would outscore Down in the second half by 1-6 to 0-4 with a Mark Collins goal after 55 minutes being decisive. In the cold light of day, assessment would tell you that it was going to be a tough call for Down to stay up if we were not winning our home games.

The snow was on the ground in Dr Hyde Park as Down landed in Roscommon to play the hosts, Match Referee Sean Hurson took account of the thaw in the air and gave the go ahead for the game to proceed. In the first half Down played some of their best football of the year and against all the odds were 0-6 to 0-0 up on Roscommon after 18 minutes. Both teams managed three further points before the break and Down went in leading by 0-9 to 0-3 to the delight of the hardy Down souls who had braved the elements to travel. The second half was a backs to the wall performance from Down against the breeze and the elements and there was a great boost when Mark Reid produced a great save from a Ciaran Murtagh penalty. Inspired by Darren O Hagan in defence and a great performance from Niall Donnelly at Midfield Down held on to run out winners 0-12 to 0-7. So after three games we had four points all of which had been gained away from home and now we in our hearts knew that a win against Clare next time out in Newry would put us in a good place with three games to come after that.

In 2017, the day in Clare had proved to be one of our darkest days in the annals of Down GAA and in 2018 Clare were once again to be the rock on which we would ultimately perish. The performance that day in Newry was very disappointing especially on the back of the victory over Roscommon, perhaps the focus of the Down players was not on completing the job and all but guaranteeing Division Two status with three games to go. At the outset in my remarks I talked of the reality that in recent time we have taken one step forward and two steps backward and the Clare game was a testimony to that theory.

Down missed 21 opportunities on that day in Newry either a case of wides or a case of the ball into the Goalkeepers hands. Straight from the throw in Clare had a goal as they moved unhindered through the Down defence and by half time they led by four points albeit Down had got back into the game with a goal of their own from Donal O Hare. The second half was owned by Down but they could not finish the chances created, a penalty was put over the bar and close in frees were missed whereas Eoin Cleary was impeccable from placed balls for the Banner men.

As time ran out Down were still two points adrift and it was a frustrated Eamonn Burns who shook his head when the final whistle blew and Down were on the wrong end of a 1-12 to 1-10 score line. This was a game that we should have won comfortably and now we were back into a relegation dogfight with two of the last three games away from home.

A Saturday night trip to Kingspan Breffni was next up for Down as the optimists amongst us hoped for a third win on the road. In an exciting first half Down were playing some very good football and went in at half time one point up and showing great character in that first half. Tempers frayed at Half time and the Down Manager Eamonn Burns was sent to the stand for the second half. The game seemed to be slipping away from Down as Cavan with the breeze at their backs kicked on and established a three-point lead, but Down showed great determination and as we moved towards injury time we had got back to level. An injury to Shay Millar stopped play as Down moved in on goal, a hop ball only penalised Down and it was Cavan then who were to get the next three scores in injury time to win by 0-17 to 0-14.

The other results on the weekend dictated that we were now in big trouble and in affect we were now going to be dependent on other Counties doing us favours. The home game v Tipperary fell foul of the snow and ice, what had worked in our favour in Roscommon worked against us in Newry as the game was postponed. All of this meant that we were going to Navan and needed a win against Meath.

The game in Navan was really over before it even got started, with just 10 seconds gone Down should have had the ball in the back of the net but Connaire Harrison’s effort was saved, within 13 minutes we were 2-2 to 0-1 down and the heads were well and truly hitting the ground. It didn’t get any better as Kevin McKernan picked up a Black Card and at Half Time Meath were leading by 2-7 to 0-8. Goals win games and in the second half Meath added two more and at the end of the game, there was nine points between the teams on a score of 4-14 to 1-14.

The game v Tipperary now had to be played and we had to hope that Louth and Pete McGrath would do us a huge favour by in turn beat Meath in Drogheda. The bookmakers gave little chance of that happening and as proved to be they are rarely wrong. This was a case of us winning the battle but losing the war, in a game that was largely forgettable we beat Tipperary by 2-11 to 1-11 thanks to goals from Sean Dornan and Donal O Hare.

Reality was that we were relegated, we had six points accumulated in the League, one more than last year when we had survived but fate had in a sense caught up with us. We had lost two of our three home games and when we all reflected the Clare defeat in Newry was the big point.

The focus on that day was elsewhere we were not calculated enough to go out and be clinical and just win the game ensuring that we were in control of our own destiny, days like that and results like that mean that you fail to achieve. 2010 and Croke Park looked a far distant memory and even 2017 in the Athletic Grounds had paled compared to relegation to Division 3 of the League.

Players went back to their Clubs for the commencement of the Club season as we turned our attention to meeting Antrim in the Ulster Championship in Newry. Having an Ulster Championship game at home means a lot to a County especially those of us who have not had too many such fixtures over the years. There is a sense of anticipation and a pride in getting your ground ready to host a Championship, there is a buzz as people put their shoulder to the wheel and make things happen.

The Provincial Championship, do that they create that sense of pride of place and local rivalry that is unique to the GAA and in the bigger debate, I must say I firmly believe in the Provincial Championships.

The men of 1968 too were guests of the Ulster Council on 26th May in Newry and also for the first time we had an Under 20 Curtain raiser as opposed to the traditional Minor Football curtain raiser. A Kevin McKernan goal before half time set Down on their way and although we always looked comfortable, you do have nervous moments. At half time the lead was one of seven points with Down 1-9 to 0-5 ahead even though Kevin McKernan had been lost to a black card just on the stroke of Half time. Donal O Hare was to amass seven points on the day with Anthony Doherty establishing himself too as a sweet striker of a dead ball with three points from long range frees. It was a case of Job done as Antrim were defeated 1-18 to 0-14 and an Ulster Semi Final beckoned and once again, we dared to dream that momentum would gather and we might yet be on the cusp of glory days again.

Donegal were to be the opponents in the Semi Final and alas, this game was a bit like the game v Meath in the League in that it was over before we even got going.

Fourteen-man Donegal reached the Ulster SFC final with a facile 2-22 to 1-12 win over Down at Clones. Despite the dismissal of full back Neil McGee after just 11 minutes, Declan Bonner’s men bossed the contest and were never in trouble against a Down side that failed to push their game anywhere near the realms of championship intensity. We were flat in our performance; after twenty-five minutes it was 1-8 to 0-0 before Caolan Mooney got a point for Down. It was sad to watch us struggle to even get the ball to a Down player from a Kick out and Clones the scene of so many of our great triumphs was proving to be a big graveyard. The half time break did not bring any respite and with 15 minutes gone in the second half Donegal led by 15 points as Down followers headed for the exit.

For those who stayed to the end we witnessed a thirteen-point defeat and a case where very few if any Down players could emerge with credit. The long wait for an Ulster Title was to continue as we were now in our most barren spell in Inter County Football from prior to our first Ulster Title win in 1959.

The Qualifier draw was awaited as we sought salvation in a Home Draw but alas, that was not within our remit and a trip to Brewster Park and a meeting with Cavan was to be the destination. The display against Cavan was our best since the win over Roscommon in the League, the players showed a determination and a hunger that had been missing since then and at Half time despite losing Kevin McKernan and Connaire Harrison to black cards Down led by two points. An upset definitely looked on as mid-way through the second half Down led by four and the players were leading from the front however, as has often happened in recent times we suffered misfortune. An attempt at a point by Gearoid McKiernan for Cavan dropped through the hands of Shane Harrison into the net and then moments later Ryan Johnston picked up a straight red card. The tide had turned and Cavan kicked on to add further points and their goalkeeper defied a brave effort from Darren O Hagan to leave the full time score Cavan 1-14 Down 0-15. The team had gone down fighting, some pride had been restored in the Down jersey but the facts don’t lie and on the 23rd June it was a harsh reality that all Down Football Teams were out of all competitions.

There was no knee jerk reaction from Eamonn Burns and his management team in the aftermath of the game but it was the following week when the Down Manager announced that he was stepping down after three years at the helm.

Eamonn Burns had done the County some service when against all advice he had agreed to become team manager in November of 2016 at a time when the Down job was portrayed by all and sundry as the poisoned chalice of Gaelic Football. Eamonn Burns had answered his county’s call when others had looked at their CV’s and thought not, he had given a full commitment to the job and at all times he was a gentleman to deal with whose only objective had been to work for the good of Down.

I was very proud to have stood on a side line beside Eamonn Burns, to have stood with him as he was subject to questioning by the media after games always there when it would have been easy to send someone out and say that we had nothing to say post match. I thank Eamonn and those who worked with him for their commitment to the Red and Black, to Cathal Murray, Aidan Brannigan, Gerard Colgan, Gearoid Adams and Neil Collins at all times you gave of your very best in the cause of Down. I think too of the much used quote that it is better to have a lucky manager than a good one, in his tenure in charge of Down Eamonn Burns did not have much of a rub of the green.

In 2019 we have a new Senior Management team selected out of a process that involved past players in the selection panel, Paddy Tally has been appointed for what will be his third spell associated with Down having been part of both Ross Carr’s and James McCartan’s Management Team. I wish Paddy and his selectors every success.

This year we had a new competition as the Under 21 was no more and we now went an age lower at Under 20, also the Under 20 Competition was now to replace the Minor competition as the curtain raiser to Senior Championship Fixtures. The Management team of Conor Deegan, Michael Walsh, Bernie Ruane and Paddy Hardy remained in place and they worked hard from the start of the year to have the team prepared for the Championship.

Antrim were the visitors to Newry and this was a game where both teams went out and played free flowing football from start to finish, there were seven goals in the game and I suppose in these days of analysis the pundits would say it asked more questions than it gave answers. Down were winners by 4-15 to 3-13 and there were fine individual displays by Conor McRickard, Daniel Guinness and Pierce Laverty to name but a few.

There was optimism now as people headed to Clones for an Ulster Semi Final double bill with the Under 20s meeting Derry, with the Oak Leaf County team containing players who had won the Ulster Minor in 2017 and who had been beaten in the All Ireland Minor Final by Kerry. For forty minutes of the game Down played sublime football, we saw all the plair panache and style that we had come to associate with Down teams and at half time there was only one team in the game as we led 2-8 to 0-7 at the break. There was only one team in the game as on the resumption the lead was now stretched to ten points and we were daring to dream.

These are after all though only young men, they have not yet the maturity of Under 21s and they have not yet either experienced winning and all that comes with that and the notion that you have to learn to win. Inexperience allied to a game scenario when a losing team start to get all of the big calls and are brought back into the game, saw Derry convert a soft penalty and then added another goal this time from Callum Brown. 

Points followed from the McWilliams twins and by the 53rd minute the ten-point lead was gone and Derry had their noses in front, down got back to level thanks to Liam Kerr but the know-how of winning saw Derry once more go in front to win the game by 2-17 to 2-15.

This was a harsh lesson for Down, it was the verdict of all that they had done the County proud and had played some superb football, it was not to be on the day and it took me back to a similar scenario again against Derry when in 1981 in an Ulster Minor Semi Final a 14 point lead had been surrendered. Football can indeed be cruel but with fourteen players at least from this panel eligible again in 2018 then I am indeed optimistic.

I think though that we have to give our players and management the best chance at preparation and I again make the suggestion that we have an Under 21 League in Down and that we play on alternative Sunday’s to Reserve Football. This suggestion is twofold it will allow our Under 20 County players to have a good foundation of Club football behind them before they enter into an Inter County campaign and it will also begin the process of us addressing player retention at Club level.

At Minor level we were now in the Under 17 age bracket and this new age group has to be allowed to develop and people have to accept that these boys are a year younger than previously would have been the case for County Minors. A year is a big time span in the development of the player and in our overall scheme of things then we need to take that into account when we are developing our Mourne Academy programme. Furthermore, these young men were pulled in so many directions in the past year they were eligible for the County Under 17s and in many cases their Club Under 16s and Minors as well as any combination of School teams.

This just will not work, in 2020 we will move our age groups as a County to be in line with National levels at Under 13, 15 and 17 but in 2019 we have a duty of care to these young men and to their parents to ensure that we manage the demands on them.

James McCartan and his young charges engaged in the Minor league campaign and only for a defeat to Armagh in the Abbey they would have qualified for the League Semi Finals instead they took the route into the Minor League Shield Semi Finals. That Semi Final saw Down easily overcome Antrim in Newry before a Final meeting with Derry that went to Extra Time in Dunsilly. There was reason for hope as Down managed to overcome Derry and the Ulster Minor League Shield was won. It was welcome silverware for the County and we hoped that winning would create a positive habit.

The Ulster Championship beckoned and with a new format where everyone was guaranteed two games, we had a home tie first against old rivals and neighbours Armagh. The equivalent game in 2017 had been a most exciting affair but the game in 2018 was a dour affair and perhaps reflected the real difference in this age group between Under 18 and Under 17, there seemed to be a big fear factor in the play of both teams. Certainly, the respective managements of Paul McGrane and James Mccartan would have shared equally the frustration of their young charges being seemingly unable to follow instruction. Down were winners by 0-11 to 0-8 but in truth, it was a game best forgotten. Next up it was the visit of Tyrone to Newry and in honesty there was a gulf between the teams as Tyrone dominated to win by 2-11 to 0-9.

The new format meant that Down had still another chance to make the semi-finals and on a wet day in Omagh they faced Monaghan this was a very brave display by the Mourne men and with the sides level at the end of normal time they game entered Extra Time. It was only late in the second half of Extra time that Seamus McEnaney’s charges pulled away and Monaghan qualified for the Ulster Semi Final winning 1-20 to 1-16.

At Minor level now, there is work to be done and it has to be done before the players actually get to this age group, we are behind other Counties in the conditioning of our Teams, I deliberately have left out the word strength in the belief that we need to work on the first instance in conditioning our teams. This work must be a base requirement for the Mourne Academy and players at 14/15 and 16, we select players for the Academy on the basis of their skill levels and in the belief that they will enter a pathway that will develop them to wear the Red and Black of Down in years to come.

Now the challenge lies with the Academy to condition the players to ensure that they can best represent Down, we need to be giving our Minor and Under 20 Managements access to finely developed and conditioned footballers who are ready to meet the challenge of competitive inter county footballer. The Minor Management should be expected to continue the work not begin the work of conditioning our players, until we get that balance correct we will be asking a Minor Management to operate with one hand tied behind their backs.

On the hurling front, again, there was much promise but we failed to achieve the goals that would have seen us gain promotion and get back to Croke Park in the Christy Ring, it was a mixed bag with some excellent performances and then continued disappointment on the big days.

The Allianz League began positively with a win over Derry in Celtic Park, a Danny Toner goal settled the team and we went in at the break leading by 1-9 to 0-8 with Paul Sheehan in excellent form from frees Down remained dominant. A second Danny Toner goal put Down well in the driving seat and in the end, there was six points between the teams as Down won on a score of 2-17 to 1-14.

Wicklow were the visitors to Ballycran and this would be a good test for Down as in recent years we have faltered against the Garden County. It was a very tight first half with the Down defence working very hard to ensure that the home team led at half time by 0-11 to 0-10. The second half continued to be score for score until the last quarter when Down thanks to an Eoghan Sands goal took the lead and managed 1-8 without reply in those last 15 minutes. The final score of Down 1-24 to 0-16 was a true reflection of the Down dominance. Marty Mallon and his management team were well pleased with the start to the League, two wins from two was setting the team up well. Armagh were the next visitors to McKenna Park in Ballycran and despite making it difficult for Down at times, the Down attack showed their ability to score goals and with Eoghan Sands, Danny Toner and Paul Sheehan all finding the net, to leave the final score Down3-15 Armagh 0-13.

Reality was to kick in though with our visit to Donegal, it was one of those weekends where there were clashes with Fitzgibbon and other distractions resulting in a disappointing performance and a first ever win for Donegal over Down in competitive hurling on a score of 0-17 to 0-14. All of this meant that we had now to beat Mayo in the last game of the league and in the same token probably meet Mayo again in the League Final. This was not an ideal scenario but it was in our own hands and more importantly, it was all achievable.

The final game of the League Series saw us win what was a shadow boxing game with Mayo, the odds were all with the westerners, we could not take any chances, we had to go win the game to ensure we made the Final whilst Mayo could afford not to show their hand as they were going to be meeting us in a League Final. The game was played in Portaferry and Down were always on top against a Mayo team that had only six regulars starting, goals from Liam Coulter, Daithi and Eoghan Sands meant that Down were comfortable winners by 3-19 to 0-14.

It was a bitter cold Sunday with snow on the hills as we headed for Kingspan Breffni Park and a Division 2B final v Mayo just one week later. The men from the West shaded the verdict over a Down team that battled bravely to the end, but few could begrudge Mayo their win on this bitterly cold day in Cavan. The Down men got off to a flying start and led by 0-5 to 0-1 after 13 minutes when aided by a strong wind.

Dáithí Sands and Declan McManus landed excellent scores and the tide was flowing strongly in their favour at this stage. However, scores were needed when playing with a strong breeze and unfortunately, the capacity of the Down defence to concede frees came back to bite and Mayo slowly found their way back into the game. Coming up to half time there was further heartbreak for Down when a ball into the square failed to be cleared and was finished to the net by Brian Morley. This was a huge blow for Down and though Paul Sheehan added a long range point we went in ay Half Time only leading by 0-9 to 1-5 despite the aid of a strong breeze.

Mayo seized their opportunity in the second half and with the experienced dual star Keith Higgins dictating matters in their forward line and a defence seeing that this game could be won, Down went 17 minutes without scoring in the second half. The concession of easy frees did not help Down either and Mayo wing half forward Kenny Feeney was top scorer with twelve points nine of which came from frees. Try as they may this was not going to be Down’s day and at the third time of asking they once again fell short in a Division 2B Final having previously lost to Wicklow and Armagh they suffered defeat to Mayo on a final score of 1-15 to 0-14.

This was a disappointing end to a League campaign that had promised so much, when we have a season where we have three home games we are always best placed to challenge for a League Title. There is no doubt in my mind that if we can manage to get out of Division 2B then we can manage to stay out of it, I think that the hurdle of getting out is psychologically great for this Down team, once out of it I do believe we would hold our own and not be a yo- yo team in terms of relegation and promotion.

In 2019, this will be a tough task, we will have to travel to Wicklow, Warwickshire and Kildare as well as winning our home games v Derry and Donegal. This can be done though and if one key area, the conceding of frees is addressed then I believe we would make a huge difference. Statistics tell us that 41 points were scored against us from placed balls in 6 games in the Hurling League, it is an aspect of our game that not just is endemic of our County Team but also persists in our Club games. Talking to referees post our Club championship round robin games they too highlighted the conceding of frees as something that needed to be addressed.

The Christy Ring Cup campaign began with a home tie against Armagh in Ballycran and this proved to be a journey that the Armagh men did not like making in 2018. Daithi Sands spearheaded Down's destruction of Armagh with a hat trick of goals at McKenna Park.

 After an evenly contested first 15 minutes, Sands opened the floodgates when he turned his marker on the end line before rifling the sliotar past Fintan Woods. His brother Eoghan snatched an opportunistic goal after 27 minutes before Declan McManus was sent clear on 33 minutes to find the corner of Woods' net. Down were also accumulating points, while Armagh could only muster five first-half points, including three frees from Nathan Curry. And when Davy Bridges saw red on 19 minutes for a wild pull on Sheehan, the writing was on the wall, by that stage it was damage limitation for Armagh and although Down eased off the throttle, were sitting back, Daithi Sands completed his hat-trick with two flashing finishes. Down were off to a winning start on a score line of 6-21 to 0-11.

Next up was a trip to London and for me this was the best performance by the Down hurlers in 2018. The new grounds in London are a credit to the Gaels of London and to men like Brendan Brien and Tommy Howell who have guided the new generation of exiles as they ensure that the Gaelic Games continue to grow in the capital city of our neighbouring country. Down and London played out a thriller over in McGovern Park with the Mourne men just coming out on top.

The game was played in scorching hot conditions, there was even an Ice Cream van inside the ground a sight not often seen in our own grounds these days! With the teams very evenly matched, and the lead changed hands repeatedly in the opening half.

Down got the opening goal on 27 minutes when full-forward Danny Toner buried his effort to give his side a one-point lead (1-6 to 0-8).

London then got in for a goal of their own on the stroke of half time, with Colin Nelson's scrappy score enough to see his side take an interval lead of 1-12 to 1-10.

London were very much on top in the second-half and will wonder how they didn't close out this game, but the lead changed hands again in the 62nd minute, with a goal from full-forward Daithi Sands which gave his side a 2-19 to 1-19 lead heading into the final stages.

Pearse Óg McCrickard looked to have won it for Down with time almost up, but London were awarded a close-range free late on which was cleared on the Down goal line, with the rebound going narrowly wide.

It was a great flight home, the form was good and there was a feeling that we could give the Christy Ring cup a good rattle, we were after showing here that we could beat a team who were a Division above us and in their own backyard too.

Down went into the last game away to Derry knowing that they could afford to lose by six points, which was the margin that we had beaten Derry by in the league and still qualify on score difference for the competition Semi Final. This is always a dangerous scenario and when Derry announced that the game would be moved to Maghera and when you saw that Ruairi Convery was named in goals you started to get the picture that Derry had a plan in mind.

A converted '65 by Cormac O'Doherty, in the fifth and final minute of injury time, dramatically confirmed Derry's progression to the Ring semi-finals at the expense of Down.

O'Doherty, who ended with figures of 1-17, struck his most telling blow at the death to be the Oak Leaf hero. The home side led 0-16 to 1-11 at the break, with Daithi Sands scoring the Down goal soon after Derry had racked up an early lead. For Derry, O'Doherty amassed 0-9 in the opening 35 minutes.

Down had the better restart and pulled level at 0-17 to 1-14 after Paul Sheehan's 40th-minute point. Daithi Sands' second goal handed the Down men the lead for the first time at 2-16 to 0-20. After that, Down would score only three points. Derry hit 1-9, including Meichal McGrath's 69th-minute goal and O'Doherty's late '65.

Derry won on a final score of 1-29 to 2-19, a margin of seven points and reality was that Down were out, our hurling season was over.

The point about conceding frees was not lost on the fact that Derry scored seventeen frees in all so they only managed 2-2 from play and yet won the game by seven points. The statistics do not lie.

Late in the summer we learned that Marty Mallon was unable to continue as Team Manager for personal reasons, a man who had been an outstanding servant of Down as a player had as a Manager been a man who put his heart and soul into the role. Again, like Eamonn Burns he had answered the call of the County in less fashionable times when others might have opted to say why.

There is no doubt that there was improvement in Down hurling under Marty and his trusted lieutenant Paul Coulter, pride was back in the jersey and people were there for the right reasons- the betterment of Down hurling.

I would like to place on record my thanks to Martin and Paul for their efforts, at all times they were great people to work with and they leave Down hurling on the cusp of a return to better days. In 2018, they had been joined by Ronan Sheehan on the sideline, another man who exudes passion about Down hurling and we are very lucky that Ronan has agreed to take on the Managerial role for 2019. Ronan deserves his opportunity he has worked at Under 21 and Minor Manager in recent times, he knows the players and he deserves the chance to take us to that next level. I wish Ronan, Mick Blair and Niall Coulter every success and assure them of our full support in the task ahead.

One of the bravest performances by a Down team this year in football or hurling was from the County Under 21 Hurlers in the Leinster Qualifier v Antrim. The game was played in Davitt Park in Lurgan and the Down boys went extremely close to bringing of a major shock. With time up in normal time, Down had a free to win the game and take us into the Leinster Championship proper unfortunately, it tailed wide and we were set then for Extra Time. The physical strength of Antrim carried them through in Extra Time and Antrim were winners by 1-23 to 3-14 aet. This was a very brave performance by Down where people physically put their bodies on the line to defend the goal and where there were also some great scores taken by the forward line.

The small attendance could only but have been proud of the Down performance; the defeat now meant that we proceeded to the All-Ireland Under 21B Competition for the Richie McElligott Cup. The open draw was not kind to us and we ended up meeting competition favourites Kerry in Round One in Mullingar. Kerry with players who had been playing at McDonagh Cup level were just too strong for us overall and went on to win their ninth title at this grade.

To allow for Counties to make progress at this grade one wonders if there is merit in the suggestion that this competition be organised on a round robin basis. Teams need more than one game at this level, to prepare a team and then go out after one game does very little for the development of hurling in those Counties. The time frame would not necessarily be any different it would just mean that every county would be involved for three weekends then you have the semi-finals and final, so two teams would get a maximum of five games and everyone else a minimum of three. Surely, we can set four/five Saturday’s aside to run the Competition and be meaningful about the development and promotion at hurling. If we are just ticking the box and having an Under 21 Competition and running it as quickly as possible then we do the game a great disservice.  In 2019, Down will be advocating an All-Ireland Under 21B competition played as a Round Robin format.

The Down Minor Hurling team were probably the most hard done by of our teams this year in that they literally fell between the stools of the Celtic Challenge and the Leinster Minor Hurling Championship. We entered both competitions and this proved to be to our detriment, as the rules took no account of our small base and the reality that we were never going to be able to have two distinct panels. Obstacles were put in the way of what we saw as a good opportunity for hurling development and led to us having to concede a walk over in the Celtic Challenge and then find that the goalposts were being moved and we could take part again. All of this was very unsatisfactory and really led us to question if the best interests of Counties were being served. There is in terms of hurling development no one size fits all but surely when Counties are trying to better themselves and are trying to raise standards then this should be supported.

The Leinster Championship was a big step up for our Minors and with a lot travel involved it was not going to be an easy campaign. We were in a group with Carlow and Westmeath and though beaten in both games the team were gaining experience and we got a third game against Kildare. Defeat to Kildare meant that we were now in the Shield Semi Finals where we were down to play Meath, this was a mid-week fixture at Abbottstown and unfortunately, logistics were to dictate that we would be unable to field in this game with exams still a factor north of the border. I would like to thank the Leinster Council for facilitating our participation in the Competition and providing us with the opportunity to have meaningful games.

In the Celtic Challenge, we had five wins out of five in the Ulster section and then we fell foul of the regulation where anyone who played in the Leinster Championship could not then play in the Celtic Challenge meaning that we had to concede in the All-Ireland series. We had fallen between the stools as I have previously stated and this is an aspect that the Hurling Development Committee, Nationally and Provincially need to look at for 2019.

The year of 2018 ended on a high note in hurling terms when the Down schools team won the Mageean Cup for the very first time beating St Pats Maghera in the Final to land the Ulster Colleges A Hurling title. Back in 2011 the then Hurling Promotion Officer Mickey McCullough along with the Games Development Manager Conor O Toole and myself felt that a Down Schools Team could be a good mechanism for the development of hurling in the County. We were going into relatively unknown territory, the experiment had worked successfully in Dublin and we had seen Dundalk Schools compete in Leinster Colleges Football but in Ulster, this was new ground. In our very first match in 2011, we were beaten by 45 points by St Mary’s CBS it was a case of welcome to the new boys. Over the year’s finals were lost to St Mary’s, to Cross and Passion and to St Pats Maghera but still we hoped for the breakthrough.

Fielding a combined Schools team means a lot of logistical work, for every game we need two buses to collect players from schools and to get them back home again whilst at the same time trying to ensure that players are absent from School for minimal periods. I would like to place on record here the thanks of Down GAA to the Schools for their cooperation in making this success happen, these young men at all times were tremendous ambassadors for your School and you can indeed be very proud to have them in your ranks. We were particularly pleased to have on our panel pupils from schools who do not participate in Gaelic Games. I particularly thank those schools for facilitating our requests and permitting their pupils to be able to represent Down Schools.

I would like to thank all the coaches who came on board to help this Down team be successful, our own Schools coaches Danny Toner and Liam Hardy, the Ulster Hurling Development Coach CJ McGourty, new County Senior Manager Ronan Sheehan and the man who coordinated the project Conor O Toole. History will record that An Dun won the Mageean Cup in 2018 beating St Pats Maghera in the Final on a score of 5-13 to 1-10, the dream had come to fruition.

In 2019 in a few weeks’ time, we will long for the Inter County Football and Hurling seasons to begin, we will once again dare to dream, it will be 25 years since our last Senior Football Ulster Title. A whole generation of people have not seen a Down captain lift silverware. This must change and change soon, 2019 can be the year that we start to make that difference, we must try to win every competition that we enter and we must believe too that we can.

Down is a proud county with a great history and with a pride in our history let not that history and tradition be seen as a burden on anyone’s shoulders rather it be the 16th man that drives us to success, let us say that in 2019, the famine is over and Down are back.

Club Competitions

We can indeed be proud of our Club Fixture programme in Down and the amount of games that we provide in any given season. The one thing we cannot do though is to become in anyway complacent, we have work to do to make our Club competitions the best that they can possibly be. We must always be prepared to rise to the challenges and go one-step further and make things even better.

There have been changes take place in how we organise and promote our games and these have been largely positive, the PR Committee did a magnificent job in promoting our Championships and as a direct result, more people attended our games.

The challenges are there in our urban and rural areas, different challenges yet challenges that must be met and how we meet those challenges will define the future for the GAA in Down. One of the basic challenges that must be met no matter where in Down our games are played is one of the culture of our games. We must change the culture of our games around areas like punctuality, respect, a fixture calendar, facilities and promotion, getting these facets right are key to the success of the GAA in our Urban and Rural areas.

Facts are that our competitors have looked at the model we developed five to ten years ago, the Go Games, the emphasis on Child protection, the blitzes and thought well we can do that to and we could even make it better. Reality is that in some cases they are doing it better, drive out of Newry on a Saturday morning and see big numbers at Newry Rugby Club from 9.00am, drive into Downpatrick on a Sunday morning and again look at the numbers playing at Dunleath Park. Both places are alive with activity, it is organised, it is punctual and it is happening and at all times people are encouraged to show respect.

Now it is obvious too that there are good and positive things happening at our GAA Grounds but we cannot in any way become complacent, we have to all the time be getting better and becoming more innovative.

Can we be proactive and do something to encourage our parents to be respectful on the side-lines, we are delighted that they are in attendance to watch their son or daughter playing but can we provide a suitable distraction that would take their attention elsewhere and thus let their son do what he is doing best. Could a Club provide an outlet that is for parents, tea/coffee stations, activities organised by the Club but for parents taking place at the same time as their sons or grandsons are playing Gaelic Games. We would thus be allowing the Children the space to develop a love for Gaelic Games in an environment where they were the main focus. There has been some mention of the use of silent side-lines for our Under age competitions, there may be merit in the very suggestion though it could be something that might even lead to confrontation and conflict the very thing that it was supposed to protect against.

We have to try and be innovative in how we create a culture of mutual respect amongst our young people playing Gaelic Games, we have long championed the Give Respect Get Respect slogan but is this in need of revamping and re-inventing, leading question does it actually happen in our games? We have all heard stories of where the two teams were lined up at under 10 or 12 for post-match handshakes only for one of the teams to punch rather than shake the hand of their opponents. Is this what we really want in our games? So how do we make it better, how much responsibility lies with the coaches of the Teams and then who is responsible for the Coaches, at what stage does the Club show leadership and say enough is enough. At senior level in Club games, some Clubs now offer a cup of tea for their own and opposing players post match is this something that needs to happen now at juvenile level, do we share a platter of fruit and some healthy juice post match for parents and children.

Our Clubs are our heartbeat and we need more and more people playing our games and being involved in our association. We need I feel to take a stand too and make it a scenario whereby we are exuding the positive about what we do in our Clubs and we need to be creative in our games to continue to make them attractive as the number one sport of choice in our County. There are simple things we can address, things like ensuring that our fixtures happen when they are supposed to happen, that they happen on time, that Referees turn up for games and that our Clubs and venues are welcoming places to go to and that there is publicity about what we do in our Clubs. We need to let the world see what we are doing and whilst we were victims of the power of Social Media in showing the ugly side of our games this year, we can turn that on its head and use Social Media as a powerful tool for good.

I will address later my suggestions on Fixtures and possible Club Competitions for 2019 and beyond because it will involve discussion on the future roles of some of our Committees.

The Championships of 2018 were the most competitive and entertaining that we have had in recent time. There were good attendances at our games and certainly the work done by Maureen O Higgins and the PR Committee boosted the profile of our Championships. We are though in a strange sense victims of the success of our own Championships as we continue to fail to make a breakthrough at Provincial Level. I think here particularly of our Intermediate and Junior Winners in Football and Hurling, through no fault of their own they invariably meet teams at Ulster Level who are playing Club Football at a higher level. If we take the case of Bredagh, they win a competitive Down Intermediate Football Championship and then meet Mullahoran of Cavan who were playing in the Cavan Senior Championship of 2017, were subsequently relegated as Cavan play with only 11 Teams in the Senior Championship. The odds are then against Bredagh through no fault of their own, this is more so the case too in the Junior Football Championship where with only 12 Teams in our own Junior our Champions are going to be at a disadvantage again in Ulster.

We cannot do anything about the composition of our Football Championships at the moment and I have to say too that our Clubs are by and large happy with the entries and the format of our Football Championships, so we should leave well enough alone. In the hurling Championships we have though a responsibility to look at the format of our Junior and Intermediate Championships. Again, on the Provincial tier no Down Club has won an Ulster Junior or Intermediate Hurling Title and while the new format in our own Senior Hurling Championship has helped prepare our Senior Champions better for Ulster the same cannot be said of Junior and Intermediate.

I would suggest that in 2019 where we have nine teams competing at Junior and Intermediate Championship level in Down, we organise a league format first involving those nine teams and that they then divide into a Five and a Four for Championship. This is only a thought, the mechanics of how we work this out would be a matter for CCC but we have to produce a better format for our Junior and Intermediate Hurling Championships.

The Senior Football Championship is of course the blue riband of our Club competitions and this year the question on the lips of the pundits was would Kilcoo make it Seven in a Row and set the bar to a new high. The early rounds were competitive though there were no real upsets, Loughinisland showed progress and intent in the manner of their challenge to Burren in Round One, whilst Cumann Pheadair Naofa were many peoples quiet tip of an upset.

It is Quarter Final stage before in some instances, the Championship gets going and in the Quarter Finals, Mayob

DOWN GAA - COMHDHÁIL BHLIANTÚIL 2018 - RÚIN/MOTIONS

AMENDMENTS TO COUNTY BYELAWS:

1. AMEND BYELAW 19.1 TO READ AS FOLLOWS

The Divisional Areas as defined by the County Committee shall each be governed by a Divisional Committee consisting of the officers elected at the annual general meeting i.e. Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Assistant-Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer and six Additional named Members appointed by the County Committee. 

(Remainder of Byelaw to remain the same)

Coiste Chontae An Dúin

2. AMEND BYELAW 28 TO READ AS FOLLOWS

1. Subject to the provisions of Rial 6.8 Treoraí Oifigiuil, a player of a Club without an Under 21, Minor or Younger Grade team may apply to Coiste Cheannais na gComortaisí for a sanction to play with another team within the county.

2. Applications shall be submitted on the Official Sanction Form.

3. In an Under 21 competition, a sanction will not be granted to play with a club that is deemed to have sufficient playing numbers to field a team on their own.

Applications for sanction shall be considered by Coiste Cheannais na gComortaisí who shall make a recommendation on the application with the authority of Coiste Chontae.

Cumann Dhroicheád Maigh Eo

3. NEW BYELAW

That a summary of each disciplinary notice issued by CCC is made publicly available, within three days of issue.

That a summary of each disciplinary notice issued by the Hearings Committee is made publicly available, within three days of issue.

Cumann Bhaile Cholmáin

OTHER MOTIONS:

4. HANDBALL

All Clubs in Down donate £50 to the development to handball in County Down.

Cumann Dhroicheád Maigh Eo

MOTIONS TO GAA CONGRESS 2018:

5. AMEND RULE 3.2(a) TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Before February 1st, a Club shall submit annually to Central Council, by the process of Electronic Registration, a list in the Irish Language (except as provided for in Rule 1.7) of the names of the Club’s Executive Committee.

A copy of the list shall be forwarded by e-mail by Central Council to the County Secretary.

Coiste Chontae an Dúin

6. AMEND RULE 6.21© (iv) Exceptions TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Exceptions to (c):  

(1)  In relation to means (ii) and (iii) above, if the accumulated scores of a team, so involved, are affected by a disqualification, loss of game on a proven objection, retirement or walk over, the tie shall be decided by a Play-Off. 

(2)  Except where provided for otherwise in County Bye-Law or Competition Regulation, regulations (i), (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to under 16 or younger age grade competitions.

Coiste Chontae an Dúin

7. EXTEND RULE 7.2 TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Define the circumstances which would constitute a melee, and provide a classification system for identifying its severity, with acknowledgment that the clubs involved need not always be placed in the same category.

“A melee is any fracas involving five or more participants, where aggressive intent is displayed by the majority of the participants. Each club’s involvement is assigned a severity level:

Level 1 Melee: Five or more players involved in a fracas where clear aggressive intent was displayed, but was quickly resolved (i.e. players leave fracas within one minute);

Level 2 Melee: As with Level 1, except the fracas lasts more than one minute;

Level 3 Melee: Any melee which extends to include substitutes, mentors or club officials;

Level 4 Melee: Any melee which extends to include spectators.”

Cumann Bhaile Cholmáin

8. EXTEND RULE 7.2 TO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

Define how active individual participation in a melee should be identified.

“An Active Participant in a melee is any individual whose actions clearly contributed towards the establishment, escalation, or elongation of a melee situation, including but not limited to:

Any person who engaged in an act of aggressive intent which created a flashpoint;

Any person who travelled more than 20m to engage in a fracas;

Persons 5-7 who entered the fracas – regardless of aggressive intent;

Any person who displayed an unwillingness to retreat from a calming fracas.

Cumann Bhaile Cholmáin

9. GENERAL MOTION ON REFEREEING:

That all referees wear a small body camera when in charge of a game.

 Cumann Pheadair Naofa 

Nominations for Down GAA County Convention 2018

CATHAOIRLEACH

· Seán Ó Ruanaidh                                Sean Rooney                            Droichead Mhaigh Eo

LEAS CATHAOIRLEACH

· Seán Ó Duibheannaigh                        John Devaney                           Bredach

CISTEOIR

· Diarmuid Ó Cathail                              Diarmuid Cahill                          An Ríocht

LEAS CISTEOIR

· Breandán Mac Giolla Phádraig             Brendan Fitzpatrick                    Ath Bhriain

LEAS RÚNAÍ

· Mícheál Ó Ruairc                                 Michael O’Rourke                      An Ríocht

OIFIGEACH FORBARTHA        

· Liam Ó Gribín                                      Willie Gribben                            Clann na Banna

OIFIGEACH OILIUNA

· Tomás Potar                                       Tom Potter                                Droim an Easa

OIFIGEACH GAEILGE AGUS CULTUIR

· Póilín Mag Aoidh                                Paula Magee                             Droichead Mhaigh Eo

· Gearóid Mag Riabhaigh                       Gareth McGreevy                      Naomh Phadraig Sabhaill

OIFIGEACH CHAIDREAMH POIBLI      

· Fióna Ó Murchú                                  Fiona Murphy                            An Ghleann

TEACHTA COMHAIRLE ULADH (2 to be elected)

· Mícheál Mac Ardail                              Michael McArdle                        Droim Gath

· Máirín Ó hUiginn                                  Maureen O’Higgins                    Liatroim

TEACHTA ARD COMHAIRLE

· Fearghal Mac Cormaic             Feargal McCormack                  Cumann Pheadair Naofa

· Séamas Breatnach                              Seamus Walsh                          Dun Droma

TEACHTAI don CHOMHDHAIL ULADH (3 to be elected)

· Diarmuid Ó Cathail                              Diarmuid Cahill                          An Ríocht         

· Seán Ó Duibheannaigh                        John Devaney                           Bredach

· Liam Ó Gribín                                      Willie Gribbe                             Clann na Banna

· Séamas Breatnach                              Seamus Walsh                          Dun Droma

· Póilín Mag Aoidh                                Paula Magee                             Droichead Mhaigh Eo

TEACHTAI don CHOMHDHAIL NAISIUNTA (3 to be Elected)

· Diarmuid Ó Cathail                              Diarmuid Cahill                          An Ríocht

· Seán Ó Duibheannaigh                        John Devaney                           Bredach

· Roger Ó Muireagáin                            Roger Morgan                           Cill Chua

· Mícheál Mac Ardail                              Michael McArdle                        Droim Gath

· Máirín Ó hUiginn                                  Maureen O’Higgins                    Liatroim

· Gearóid Mag Riabhaigh                       Gareth McGreevy                      Naomh Phadraig Sabhaill

Tickets are now available for the Down GAA Clubs Draw.

The tickets are £120 and are available from ALL Down Clubs.

As £96 goes back to clubs for every ticket after the first 24 are sold this is a very important source of revenue for club.

Down Clubs Draw 2018  - December Winners  
  
£1000  x 5  
Club No Name
Bryansford 18BD054 Roisin Burns
St Johns 16SJ129 Mark Grant
Burren 18BU397 Emmet McGinley
Rostrevor 18RR068 Bridie Daly
Ballyholland 18BS106 Jim McMahon & Sean Savage
  
Club winners 4 x £200 
St Michaels 18MI004 Michael McKeown
Downpatrick 15DK115 Tony Hanvey
Newry Shamrocks 18SS022 David Cunningham
Newry Mitchels 18MS059 Barry Quinn
 

New Down manager Paddy Tally says he won't be paying much attention to what the pundits have to say about the style of play he deploys.

Tally came in for criticism from RTE pundits Colm O'Rourke and Joe Brolly for the defensive brand of football Galway adopted when he coached them earlier this year, but he maintains their analysis was 'flawed'.

“I don’t really pass any remarks on it to be honest with you, I never did, “ he said in the Irish News.

“If you lived your life and were influenced too much by what people think about you or say about you in terms of football, you wouldn’t do an awful lot.

“Galway played a certain way and, as much as we were tight at the back, we were also very good up front as well. It’s trying to get that balance right and I think every team does that – that’s no different than what’s happening all over Ireland.

“Now, if it doesn’t suit somebody’s palette, I can do nothing about that. All I can do is put a system in place that is the best for this particular team.

“I think it’s... I wouldn’t say it’s weak analysis, but certainly it’s flawed in a lot of ways. It’d be quite weak of me to organise a team, or to coach a team, to satisfy a pundit, or a number of pundits. That wouldn’t be the way forward.” 

The 2019 Ulster Club Football League will consist of three divisions, Senior, Intermediate and Junior. The application form is available below:

Application Form 2019 USFCL

The closing date for applications is 1.00pm on Monday 7th January 2018. Applications must be signed by the County Secretary and the appropriate fee (€200 or £175) must accompany the hard copy application, which should be sent to:

Ulster Club Football League
c/o Niall Muldoon
Ulster GAA
8-10 Market Street
Armagh
BT61 7BX

It is intended that the league will commence on Sunday 27th January and the group games will run for four / five consecutive weekends. Please note all matches are fixed for the Sunday at 12 noon. The draft schedule is as follows with all participating clubs receiving a minimum of four games:

Sunday 27th January – Round 1
Sunday 3rd February – Round 2
Sunday 10th February – Round 3
Sunday 17th February – Round 4
Sunday 24th February – Round 5
Sunday 3rd March –  Quarter-Finals
Sunday 10th March –  Semi-Finals
Saturday 16th March – Finals