Down v Donegal

[Sportacus]

Monaghan and Roscommon have beat the bookies with passion and good football.  No reason why Cavan can't do the same, especially in Breffni.  This is a very dangerous fixture for Armagh.

[seafoid]

Monaghan and Roscommon have beat the bookies with passion and good football.  No reason why Cavan can't do the same, especially in Breffni.  This is a very dangerous fixture for Armagh.

The analogy lasts as far as Division 3 (promoted) . Monaghan and Roscommon are both D1 teams and both beat D1 teams

[downtothecore]

Down seem to be on up... and donegal seem to be on the downwards slope but I think down are currently not far enough up the slope and donegal are not far enough down the slope. I would expect donegal to win it as they have competed at a higher level in the league but I expect down to be competitive and ...who knows

[Walter Cronc]

Did the Fermanagh Derry result tell us what level Down are operating on?? No doubt they'll be fitter and better organized but if you track the runners (Kilcoo) style they don't have the marquee forwards. Donegal by 4 for me. They've still a core of excellent players despite the mess.

[ck]

Donegal drew with Antrim on Friday night and Down lost heavily to Louth last week. Literally anything could happen in this game.

[yellowcard]

Donegal drew with Antrim on Friday night and Down lost heavily to Louth last week. Literally anything could happen in this game.

Has Mickey Harte broke the habit of a lifetime and begun playing challenge matches?

[ck]

Donegal drew with Antrim on Friday night and Down lost heavily to Louth last week. Literally anything could happen in this game.

Has Mickey Harte broke the habit of a lifetime and begun playing challenge matches?

Yes apparently so. Even played challenge games pre Christmas when they were not supposed to - wearing non DKIT jerseys in disguise.

[full moon]

I think Down are a team on the up but we'll know more next year.  Donegal are not in a good place. Down winning this wouldn't be a massive shock for me. But like the Cavan Armagh game, the gap between top division and third division may be too wide.

[ardtole]

Looking at the 2 teams named. Donegal look to have an advantage at midfield, but I think Down have the stronger bench.

I'm hoping this is the game Liam Kerr shows the rest of the country what he can do.

Home advantage to edge it for Down.

[J70]

Oisin Gallen is supposed to be injured, so doubt if that team is accurate. If it is, it would be the first time in a decade that Donegal named an accurate 15 before any players set foot on the pitch on match day.

From what I've read, Down are a quick, running team. Donegal are wide open at the back with runners repeatedly slicing through at will the past few years. There'll be goals there for Down if they can turn Donegal over.

[Blowitupref]

One stat.


Donegal haven't lost their first championship game of the season since 2010 when Down beat them by 1-15 to 2-10 after extra-time in an Ulster quarter-final in Ballybofey. Since then Donegal have won twelve times, beating Tyrone three times, Fermanagh (2), Cavan (2), Antrim (2), Down (1), Derry (1), Armagh (1).

[ardtole]

Going by results so far, this is a win for Donegal. But when it's your own county it feels different. A Down win for me, bring on Armagh.

[yellowcard]

Going by results so far, this is a win for Donegal. But when it's your own county it feels different. A Down win for me, bring on Armagh.

Not sure how anyone could fancy Donegal today. It's an ideal draw for Down being at home to a Donegal side in chaos. I'm not actually sure how good Down are but I'd be fairly certain they'll at least be organised and difficult to break down. That could be enough against Donegal and I don't expect this to be one for the purist.

[naka]

Going by results so far, this is a win for Donegal. But when it's your own county it feels different. A Down win for me, bring on Armagh.

Wishing the  mourne neighbours all the best
Looking forward to getting a rattle at you next week

It's been a while!!!

[Walter Cronc]

Is Murdock going to feature or is saved for Weds night?