Messages

Hardy you would be lieing if you were to be disregarding it as a taboo. We all know the history, and clearly there is strong foundational element of nationalism within the Cumann Luthchleas Gael.

But its great to see protestants play. Shows the sport is earning it's respect as a sport rather than a political symbol! I feel that over the next 20 years the GAA will transform the cluichí, with the great work underage being done across primary schools encouraging all types of race and religions to participate!

Despite having 15 players to play an underage match, the manager shows his utmost trust in his players and asks can they play 13aside!

Congratulations to Armagh, worthy winners on the day! With that said people seem to forget there was one kick between between them, and could have been different result!

I think both teams are on a similar level, and are sitting well for their Championship games! Down let themselves down in Croker yet again, but Wee James should still be commended-just didnt turn up on the day! Marty Clarke is the heart of that team, but i feel the slow build up kills his chances of playmaking!

Stevie McDonell seems to revel in Croker, joy to watch. 2/3 of Armagh scores in the league-unbelievable! With the exeption of frees, cant see where there gonna get scores! Clarke needs to get fit fast, because once McDonnell has an off day Armagh will lose!

All the best to both teams in Championship-hopefully get another go at Armagh with a worthy occasion in the Championship!

Why was Clarke taken off in the 1st place? What does he have to prove-he is a class act! thats not even up for debate!

Lastly, trying not to be biased here but look back on the first 15 minutes of that match in the marshes when down blitzed armagh...everything went thru Marty Clarke! CHF is a playmakers position-people are expectin him to rack up scores like a full forward! and i thought since the mc entees have retired even armagh fans could admit in Marty Clarke Down have one of the best (if not the best) young centre half forward in the country!

I disagree that mckeever will relish this battle as a footballing contest. its been well documented why clarke went off in newry-but marty clarke won that hands down! and i think clarke will be fired up for croker!

Armagh will be a different prospect this time round! Not buyin in to the win in letterkenny, but with ronan clarke and charlie vernon back they'l be a handful! expect armagh's defence to prove a point and not be blown away! Think this will be a tight game, down have a fightin spirit this year and it think therel be no more than a point or two either way in this game!

Despite Westmeath being on course for the wooden spoon...i wouldnt be suprised the down men take the eyes off the ball this weekend! they done it against Tipp few weeks ago, and after weekend of partying and possibly changes with the easing of pressure i think down will be run close! Hope im wrong! But Down are certs either way i see them picking up 2 points for promotion- dont make silly bets about Donegal V Armagh final-not gonna happen!

Goalkeeper-shouldnt be a dilemma. Mc Veigh's the best keeper in Down, and personally i feel the best in Ulster! Alders solid enough, but McVeigh pulls off the spectacular and over the past years i feel he's been Down's unsung hero!
Lavery- been critical of him myself and still think he's not starting material...but proved me wrong against Armagh- good impact sub! Down need players like him to liven the forward line up against tired defences!

Touch wood Donegal dont join us in the league final....4 meetings even before our championship match-not ideal!

haha this is like bein back at school...hardman TFearon apologises because of a tellin off from his teacher!!! hilarious....

on the note of a certain Armagh player gettin abuse - its deserved! not saying we should call him the names of the day, but he's a terrible role model! his antics on the pitch are bad enough, but my problem is his lack of sportsmanship! whatever happens on the pitch happens, but before and after a match you should atleast shake a man's hand! this will be mimicked by underaged players that look up to their county players!

EXACTLY Tony ....last decade!!! That's the past as well! What serious achievements have been made in Armagh football since AI glory and winning national league in 2005??? Nothing - provincial success means nothing with regards AI nowadays....both teams are on a par-both playing second tier football and to be fair neither side are in Top 8 teams in Country

Heavy rain will suit those of us seated in the covered stand

Match betting 10/11 Down 15/2 Draw and 11/10 Armagh

The aristocrats will be nice and dry...wheres that betting? regardless of the quality, the rain will help make an entertaining and hopefully an epic derby for atmosphere

You probably could blag tickets outside the ground, im sure therel be spares on a Saturday night!

Just watch out on Sat night parking around the ground, our good friends in the RUC have a wee peek for tax, insurance, etc on cars parked around the ground (times have changed ...) your not in south armagh now

GAA really lacks common sense at time, could they not have altered certain fixtures in line with senior league games. gives boys chance to play with crowds watching as a curtain raiser. For example-surely the dates for Armagh V Down could have changed to be a curtain raiser this saturday night!

Trevor and Tony would you two not go private with your love affair ... set up msn, get a webcam, meet for a date ... ya wouldn think theres any football to be played this saturday night with you two langers! Im sure all down and armagh people alike will agree!

Think if Down play well on sat night, theyl win .... but have a bad feeling Armaghs experienced defence wont let them play! tight one but hopefully Down by 2

i see thare are no concessions either...complete greediness by either county board or gaa...how was the Tyrone V Derry match handled or even Kerry V Cork...surely not in the same manner.

disgrace as a student/oap and all children to have to pay £10 (fiver for kids) at a cold league match...say what ye like about it bein a big occasion but its only the league

worse than that people now have 3 days in the middle St Patricks week to make their way to Castlewellan (im from newry) no consideration at all! paying at the terrace would have been grand...put ya in bad form for a cracking game!