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I still think there is bad blood between some members of Louth Gaa towards Crossmaglen Rangers, after the character references in the Garda Donohoe case. I vaguely remember Peter Fitzpatrick being quite vocal.

No, Down didn't go deep enough in the competition to get an all star, he could possibly get a nomination.
Without a doubt he is our best prospect since since Benny Coulter, totally different type of player, but both have that x factor where there is a buzz in the crowd when they get possession. He's had a fantastic year.

Aisling Reilly on Gaa+ is very good.

I was more than suprised McGeary got motm. He got overturned rather easily 2 possibly 3 times. I don't recall him getting a lotof breaking ball either. In fairness,  there was no real standout candidate for motm.

At the risk of disappointing Urbangael, we are not demoted to the Tailteann just yet. If we make an Ulster decider next year, we will be back in the All Ireland series with the other seven provincial finalists. Even if we don't, we have a real prospect of qualifying via the NFL. Kildare will be big favourites to win this year's Tailteann and go through to the AI in 2026. The Munster championship is reportedly going to be seeded, meaning a likely Kerry/Cork final, with lower division sides like Clare and Limerick probably eliminated. All that means that the D3 winners can go through ahead of the the bottom two in D2, unless the rules get changed. Galway have been in two of the last three AI finals, and the idea that they are not serious title contenders is as ludicrous as the suggestion that this has been an unsuccessful season for Down. This team has put the pride back in Down football and we are not finished yet.

I wouldn't be disappointed in we are back competing for Sam next year. Galway missing their keeper and Comer. Walsh not fully fit and still had huge influence. I just think we come unstuck against top 10 teams... top 5 teams would wipe us out. Great to see the buzz back in Newry but playing the Sligos and wexfords etc would dampen enthusiasm unfortunately. Hopefully the squad sticks together add few new faces and kick on to the next level.

Galway were not missing their keeper, Gleeson was dropped for the Down game and the previous game. His replacement didn't exactly impress but I don't think too many would rate Gleeson as one of the top keepers in the country, little between either of them.

For the 1st 5 league games, the ridiculous 12 v 11 rule was in place, and we had no suitable keeper to take advantage of it. It's no coincidence when the rule was amended we won our final two games.

Great article, highlights Murdock, Havern and Magill but Burns has has been immense as well, having someone able to find a man from a kickout under pressure has made such a difference. Regardless of the result this weekend I feel there's a real base there to progress. Hopefully Kerr is back next year too, with his running game he would fit right in.

Daniel Guinness I would include among them 4 lads too. He's having a fantastic season. I'd like to see Eugene Brannigan start tomorrow too, I think he is effective bringing the ball from defence into our attacking half.

I don't think anyone would fear getting Dublin next week. I thought the ref was generous in some of his decisions for Dublin today.

It didn't seem to do meath any harm.

I think Armagh will win, there is no pressure on them, a few lads coming in will be looking to nail down a 1st 15 place. There is definitely a bit of history between the 2 teams and I'd say Geezer senses an opportunity to put them out.

Galway, would be a bigger threat to Armaghs chances of retaining the AI, than either Derry or Dublin.

An Armagh win won't  necessarily put Galway out though.

If Armagh and Dublin won by the  same margin ,  Derry would go out

So Armagh could  go hell for leather to try to put Galway out , and all for nothing

I don't think McGeeney knows any other way, it would be a big statement to be 3/3 from a group of death.

I think Armagh will win, there is no pressure on them, a few lads coming in will be looking to nail down a 1st 15 place. There is definitely a bit of history between the 2 teams and I'd say Geezer senses an opportunity to put them out.

Galway, would be a bigger threat to Armaghs chances of retaining the AI, than either Derry or Dublin.

The Mourne accent and Bangor accent would be quite different, although a few mile down the road from Bangor, around Portavogie, their accent would be more similar to the Mourne accent although it's probably 40+ mile away.

Down's best performance this year in the league was v Monaghan in Clones. The team won't fear Monaghan one bit, and it's a free hit as someone said before.

Worst case scenario is a home game in the last 12, if a team tops the group do they get home advantage in the q/f or is it a neutral venue?  Home advantage would be a huge reward for topping the group.

Monaghan game is 2 weeks away? 14th?
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On rte website all 8 games are scheduled for Sat 14, with the hurling on Sunday. I'd have thought 2 groups play their games on Sat, and other 2 groups play on Sunday. Obviously the final 2 games in each group start at the same time.

Any idea what injury Daniel Guinness has?