An Dún - an triúr is fearr.

[T O Hare]

In no particular order
Mickey Linden
Brendan Coulter
Tom O'Hare

[anglocelt39]

Way back then the mere mention of Sean O Neill"s name was enough to make this very youthful cavan man want to make an emergency toilet stop. Serious operator.

[Mourne Rover]

It's amazing that any Down people would agree on our best three players, given the quality on offer,so Leo must be nearly as old as me. The next three will be even more contentious, but Mickey must be in there. There is very little to chose between James senior and junior, although they were completely different players, but I would suggest that senior was dynamic but very physical while junior had the natural ability to turn any match and transformed the fortunes of the Down team when he arrived on the scene. John O'Hare was by all accounts one of the best keepers ever, and there are also the heroes of 1946 before we even come to the 60s and 90s. McAlarney was simply electrifying in possession, so my next three, in alphabetical order, would be
Colm, James jnr and Mickey.

[ONeill]

Greg Blaney
James McCartan
Mickey Linden.

From watching the 60s vids, liked Sean O'Neill, Lennon and McCartan.

[southsidejohnny]

Sean O Neill
Paddy Doherty
John Purdy

[Mourne Rover]

John Purdy was a brilliant attacker, with pace and flair, who won an AI in 1968 but had an all too short run at county level. There was a report that he had been in poor health in recent years. and all Down supporters will hope that he is enjoying better days. However, very few people, looking at his overall career, would think he was among the best three corner forwards we have produced, never mind our  top three players of all time.

[angermanagement]

As seen playing for the county

1. Linden
2. Blaney
3. Wee James

for the club

1. Shorty
2. Linden
3. Mason, Brendan

[The Worker]

That I have seen play:

1. Blaney
2. Linden
3. James jnr.

[Bacon]

1. Colm McAlarney
2. Mickey Linden
3. Greg Blaney

[In the Onion Bag]

Seán O'Neill
Greg Blaney
Colm McAlarney

Spot on, with Paddy Doherty just missing out by a narrow margin

Would go along with that choice.

Black &White and Colour

This is the best choice, but Doherty & Linden are very close.

[umpire]

Top 3 players and all in colours not black and white, as I follow Down from 1960.
1.   Sean O'Neill
2.   Tom O'Hare
3.   Colm McAlarnery

I have sent this message below last year on gaaboard,


In my experience following the Down teams from 1960 era , these are my selection of best players who play for Down Senior Football team.

1. Neil Collins, Carryduff
2. Tommy McGovern, Burren
3. Leo Murphy, Lisnarcree
4. Tom O'Hare, Mayobridge
5. Cathal Digney, Saval
6. Dan McCartan, Glenn
7. Joe Lennon, Aghderg
8. Colm McAlarney, Liatriom
9. Jarlath Carey, Dundrum
10. Greg Blaney, Carryduff
11. James McCartan (sen), Glenn
12. Paddy Doherty, Ballykinlar
13. Mickey Linden, Mayobridge
14. Sean O'Neill, Newry Mitchels
15. Ambrose Rodgers (sen) Longstone

My second selection

1.Micheal McVeigh
2.Brendan Sloan, Attical
3.Conor Deegan, Downpatrick
4. Mark Turley, Glenn
5. Pasty O'Hagan, Clonduff
6. Paddy O'Rourke Burren
7. DJ Kane, Newry Shamrocks
8. Liam Austin, Rostrevor
9. Brendan Toner, Castlewellan
10. Ross Carr, Clonduff
11. Dalsey Mooney, Clonduff
12. James McCartan (jun), Tullylish
13. Peter Rooney, Warrenpoint,
14. John McCartan, Glenn
15. Benny Coulter, Mayobridge.

Others players  who have also played well.
Geogre Lavery, Kilwarlin
Pat Rice, Castlewellan,
Kevin Mussen, Clonduff
Tony Hadden, Newry Shamrocks
Breen Morgan, Annaclone
Willie Doyle, Liatriom
James Milligan, Ardglass
Micheal Cole, Rostrevor
Micheal Cunningham, Bryansford
Cecil Ward, Bryansford
Adrain McAuilfield, St Mitchels
Paddy Kennedy, Glenn
Brendan McGovern, Burren
Jim McCartan, Glenn
Donal Bell, Teconnagh
Brendan Mason, Loughinisland
Paul Higgins, Ballymartin
Barry Breen Downpatrick
Gregory McCartan, Ballymartin
Eamon Burns Bryansford.
Gary Mason. Loughinisland
Best match
1994 in Celtic Park Derry, Down v Derry in Ulster Championship

Best individual performance
Tom O'Hare, Mayobridge in 1968 All Ireland Semi-final against great Galway side who have won three in row 64,65 and 66.

Top Ten players
1.   Sean O'Neill
2.   Tom O'Hare
3.   Colm McAlarnery
4.   Paddy Doherty
5.   James McCartan (sen)
6.   Greg Blaney
7.   Mickey Linden
8.   Leo Murphy
9.   Tommy McGovern
10. Joe Lennon

Best Down Club Player
Shorty Treanor Burren,
never made any impact on Down Senior team., should have been good enough for Down on 91 and 94 teams.

[Cúig huaire]

Shorty was more than good enough for the 91/94 team he just wasnt committed and Pete wasnt having it. He was also a bit too fond of the drink around that time as well.

Umpire your team selections seem pretty much spot on. Obviously you have the benefit of being more experienced than some of us. 

Can you or anyone else tell me what ever happened to a player named Joe Byrne, from the late 70s / early 80s?

[moysider]

In my time.

McAlarney
Blaney
Llinden

[5 Sams]

Shorty was more than good enough for the 91/94 team he just wasnt committed and Pete wasnt having it. He was also a bit too fond of the drink around that time as well.

Umpire your team selections seem pretty much spot on. Obviously you have the benefit of being more experienced than some of us. 

Can you or anyone else tell me what ever happened to a player named Joe Byrne, from the late 70s / early 80s?

Mind him well Cuig..Tullylish man....won an  Ulster medal in 78 if my memory serves me right...tricky corner forward.

[umpire]

Joe Byrne and John Purdy played a similar type of game, a buzz everytime they get the ball in their hands. both of them only played a few years in Down jerseys.