Messages

Fair play to the majority of posters from our neighbours/arch rivals in Armagh, wishing us well and praising our football. Part of what makes the GAA great.

Dubh Driocht. I simply posed a question and thanks for your answer. Good luckk to the Ulster select team tomorrow against Castlewellan depleted due to a wedding. Classy. Im sure it will mean so much to the derry girls representing their native county on the morning of the game to once again bring the cup back to the promised land.

May as well get the excuses in early

Kildare 0-16 Down 2-13 (one of Down's goals coming from a penalty)

When my neighbour saw old black and white films on TV he thought people and things were black and white back then

Darragh Ó Sé is another going with us flourbags for your pundit watch Dinny.

Seems to be a grá for Kildare down in Kerry for some reason, probably a left-over from the Micko days, even on the Kerry Gaa forum there were plenty of posters tipping Kildare to go well especially since Derry game.

Darragh didnt seem on the ball as regards Down: He claimed that our team talk would be about tradition and how we "deserve to be there." Also, Down have had a tendancy to perform better on dry/sunny days yet he felt wet conditions would work in our favour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZpT2Muxoo0

Thought Ciaran Brannigan was a real talent in 2006

From a Down point of view defensively Rafferty has to be a cert. Mc Kernan is in with a good shout and Garvey should gain a nomination. A lot will depend on how we progress but if Gordon can keep going the way he is he should get the full back award.
Shame that Rodgers is most likely out for the semi but hopefully he will have the opportunity to show his class in the Final and receive a well deserved All Star for midfield. Suprised by the lack of talk about him here by posters (apart from one or two who also must have been watching him all year)

Rafferty yes.
McKernan played most of the year like a headless chicken and only has one good game (v Kerry) to his  name. Garvey? I still wonder how he gets away with it.
Gordon has done well at full back in TWO games - does that make him an All-Star? hmmmmm....
Ambrose has spent  more of the year injured than playing although when he has performed he has been the main man.
No, Down might even sneak a Sam but we don't have a lot of All-Star material this year.

Just wonder how many posters would have said at the start of the year that our most consistent and important player would be one who has NO CHANCE of an All-Star? .....


Kalum King.

McKernan was a strong contender for MOM against Sligo and has improved with each game this year. As regards Ambrose if he is fit for the final should we be in it, he will get an All Star provided he performs like we know he can. I am a big fan of Garvey and his tenacious style of play, every team needs a player like him. Kalum is a great, fearless, hard working player who gets stuck in and is very effective at disrupting the oppositions play and deserves a nomination IMO, and while he has been very consistent I would disagree that he is our most important player.

I hear they are re-releasing the boys in red and black are back and doing a cover of 'Ireland's Call' in the form of 'Down's Call'.

Bit of a buzz gathering now for this big game!!

C'mon Down!!!!!   

Heard its being sold on CD and performed at The Cove on friday. I think thats in Mayobridge?

[27,000 tickets are distributed to non-competing counties]

These draws make a mockery of the All Ireland ticket allocation system and questions have to be asked whether they should be allowed.

How is this draw making a mockery of anything?

It brings into question the current system of allocation of AI tickets - 27,000 tickets are distributed to non-competing counties - draws like this are held up and down the country - why are competing counties left short while others are able to sell their tickets.

Scandalous. Take orders from the competing counties and let the remaining tickets go to whoever wants them. Is it true every living past president gets 100 tickets?

From a Down point of view defensively Rafferty has to be a cert. Mc Kernan is in with a good shout and Garvey should gain a nomination. A lot will depend on how we progress but if Gordon can keep going the way he is he should get the full back award.
Shame that Rodgers is most likely out for the semi but hopefully he will have the opportunity to show his class in the Final and receive a well deserved All Star for midfield. Suprised by the lack of talk about him here by posters (apart from one or two who also must have been watching him all year)

Wee James deserves a lot of credit for Down's progress this year, but we are also fortunate to have McIvor, Tally and Johnstone on board and the entire management have been a success in their first year.

I think a few years back Gaelic Gear had their footballs GAA approved to be used in big matches but later complained that they had never been used during the Championship instead of the O'Neills ball.

A confident Down team playing in a free spirit can beat any team in the country

[i'm looking forward to a few pints in the Farnham afterwards]

To be fair, Daniel was one of our best defenders during the league and is worth his place.While King was the find of the league, O'Hagan has been the find of the championship so great to have him to bring on, and Breheny's style will suit Colgan.
Aidan Carr may feel hard done by but he is a bit of quality on the bench that Sligo don't have on their bench. Like last week, I think John Clarke will be the difference and i'm looking forward to a few pints in the Farnham afterwards

Well said