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Absolutely awful stuff from Down today,  dont deserve to go to Div2  with a performance like that. A real kick in the teeth after 5 wins on the spin and very poor performance in last meaningful game before championship. Tally had improved them in certain area's no doubt, but very worrying after 7 games and McKenna cup if thats the plan for kickouts and the mf pairing. Hard to name the 15 to start against Armagh in May.

Was the McAreavey hatrick not against Tyrone in McKenna cup up in Omagh.

Its not pretty but its effective, O Hare ruthless infront of goal and Jerome excellent when introduced for Harrison and as targetman said he was miles off the pace, his current form is a bit of a concern tbh. Burns another great penalty save, defence coped well,  didnt really give Longford much. MF won very little, really would need sorted out soon. Hopefully Donnelly is back soon to partner Mooney in there but was a great win away against the previously unbeaten league leaders.

Strong enough looking 15 again this week from Down, looking forward to seeing how Laverty gets on. Surprised Maginn not in from the start tho after the difference he made last time out.

Conor Francis not made the 26? Is he injured?

Same as Sligo game for Down, effort and heart cant be questioned at all, you could see at the final whistle how delighted the players were. Some hit from JJ to win it, will do his confidence no harm.

Great penalty save from Burns, he didnt seem to have any other options available to him other than boom it out to the packed side of the pitch, were Westmeath definitely came out better, sending off didnt help as very difficult to work short kickout with player less on the pitch. Pick of the defence were O'Hagan, Collins and Wells for me. MF fought hard, but bit worrying how little ball they won.  Ryan Johnston, O'Hare both put in serious shift again but without doubt the substitution of Maginn was the winning of the game, thought he was excellent in 2nd half. Harrison cleary not ready for 35mins and will improve.

Still plenty of players to come back into the team, that will no doubt in improve it, Ryan McAleenan in at corner back would release O Hagan to no 6. He's such a good footballer, be good to see him on the ball as much as possible. Niall Donnelly in at MF beside Mooney would make big difference also.
No pretty to watch, but hats off to the team for their  fight and desire, that definitely cant be questioned.

Carryduff going well reaching Ulster U21 final, county panellist Daniel Guinness hit winning point. Is the older brother James in reckon for county panel, or where is he?

Showed some grit and determination to snatch a win today in brutal conditions. After a nightmare start had Sligo ahead 1.2 to 0. Down battled the whole way to claw themselves into the game. Darren O Hagen, RJ and Mooney all put in some performance  and D O'Hare also,  mf still a worry tho, struggled to win much but was a brutal day to be fair.

Very early days for Tally and this Down team, but hard to take many positives from last nights game. Despite having 2 sweepers in place Down conceded 2.15, they were cleaned out in mf. Thought big Donnelly should have been brought in there before he went off with another shoulder injury which is very concerning. Few individual moments from forward line but in general didnt link up that well. Hopefully will see a vast improvement when the suspended players and few more injured players get back tho. Conor Francis much better suited to half forward line,  and Liam Devlin looked a little lost to be honest. O'Hare looked good and surely must start against Sligo, in place of Jerome who once again failed to deliver in a Down top. Mooney and Daniel Guinness also looked sharp coming off the bench. 6 games left, 4 away from home, Div 4 is a distinct possibility now.

Where is Liam Devlin from, Clann Na Banna? What age is he?

Hard to believe its only a week away to 1st meaningful Down game under Tally. Any idea of what team will line out? Are the Burren players back in the panel yet? Bound to be a few university players also available for the league?

Brutal enough performance from Down today, looked like men against boys for the majority of it. Paul Devlin done well when he came on tho, harsh on Harney being taken off at ht. Considering the performance of the other corner forward who somehow managed to stay on the whole game.

Any word on the team for Sunday?

I was impressed with Down on Sunday for 1st game of the season, and considering how many players were making their debuts. They did set up to sit very deep, trying to force the turn over and break immediately to the wings, with brady or Johnson. Still loads to work on tho, just need to find the right balance in attack. Wells, Havern were impressive as was O'Grady when he came on. 

Irish News says, there has been speculation that Daryl & Aaron Branagan could join the panel. Here's hoping it's true, would be a big boost consider the amount of players away or unavailable for whatever reasons.

I thought Havern played a national league game or 2. Could be wrong tho. Any word of Laverty from Saul or Guinness from Carryduff,  are they with their universities for McKenna cup? Thought they might be in with a shout of a call up.