Down's turnaround

[ross4life]

For years the pundits said why hasn't the under aged success at Down come through? & now that they are only 70mins away from All Ireland success some are wondering where they came from?

it's a repeat of last years Under 21 Final (cork won) i wonder what odds you would get on a Donegal v Dublin Senior final for next year?

[imtommygunn]

I wouldn't discount Dublin from an All Ireland final.

Donegal I would put at very long odds to get to an AI final though based on the last few years.

[5 Sams]

I think too much is being read into it to be honest.  A pretty handy run in the qualifiers after being easily beat by Tyrone, and they then face a Kerry team missing their two key men on top of the 3 or 4 who had started in the previous All Ireland final.  They played well to win yesterday but the difference was the rub of the green - disallowed scores, goal that shouldn't have stood, not conceding a penalty when handling on the ground and the crossbar coming to their rescue.

A Kerry team with 11 All Star awards and a shed load of celtic crosses.

[imtommygunn]

If you touch the ball on the ground sure is it not a free as opposed to a penalty??

[5 Sams]

If you touch the ball on the ground sure is it not a free as opposed to a penalty??

If you touch it on the ground inside the wee box it's a peno..

[Orior]

I'm amazed by Down as much as anyone.

Yes, wee James has tightened up the defence.
Good attacking half backs.
Two midfielders, both of whom can catch, plus a few more on the bench.
Half forwards not afraid to shoot
A full forward line all capable of taking scores.

I have to say from an Armagh perspective, I'm pretty jealous.

[JMohan]

I'm amazed by Down as much as anyone.

Yes, wee James has tightened up the defence.
Good attacking half backs.
Two midfielders, both of whom can catch, plus a few more on the bench.
Half forwards not afraid to shoot
A full forward line all capable of taking scores.

I have to say from an Armagh perspective, I'm pretty jealous.

Shur you have a Down man too!

[Orangemac]

Apart from your half forward line don't think Down are that far ahead of Armagh. Down got the better deal on the manager side.

Down have had players coming though a few years but McCartan has been able to make it gel. People have talked about Derry having players coming through for a few years but it has never materialised.

Bit jealous myself but will be cheering the boys in Red ( sorry yellow) against Cork

[Maiden1]

Apart from your half forward line don't think Down are that far ahead of Armagh. Down got the better deal on the manager side.

Down have had players coming though a few years but McCartan has been able to make it gel. People have talked about Derry having players coming through for a few years but it has never materialised.

Bit jealous myself but will be cheering the boys in Red ( sorry yellow) against Cork

In fairness to O'Rourke Benny Coulter has said before that he was the best manager he ever worked with, he was just sorry Down didn't have a team that could do him justice. It's for another thread but when O'Rourke took over in 2003 Down still had players like Mickey Linden in the panel who had been in the Down senior panel since 1982.  He had to basically start from scratch with the like of Benny and others. A bit like Armagh now after McConville, McGrane, Bellew, 2 McIntees etc. retired, it takes time to get back to that standard again.  You said yourself that Down have a better 1/2 forward line, 1 or 2 players can and do make the difference between a 2 point loss and a 1 point win.

[dodgy umpire]

Apart from your half forward line don't think Down are that far ahead of Armagh. Down got the better deal on the manager side.

Down have had players coming though a few years but McCartan has been able to make it gel. People have talked about Derry having players coming through for a few years but it has never materialised.

Bit jealous myself but will be cheering the boys in Red ( sorry yellow) against Cork

In fairness to O'Rourke Benny Coulter has said before that he was the best manager he ever worked with, he was just sorry Down didn't have a team that could do him justice. It's for another thread but when O'Rourke took over in 2003 Down still had players like Mickey Linden in the panel who had been in the Down senior panel since 1982.  He had to basically start from scratch with the like of Benny and others. A bit like Armagh now after McConville, McGrane, Bellew, 2 McIntees etc. retired, it takes time to get back to that standard again.  You said yourself that Down have a better 1/2 forward line, 1 or 2 players can and do make the difference between a 2 point loss and a 1 point win.

And Marty Clarke is the difference. We owe a great deal to those involved in persuading him back

[shawshank]

Apart from your half forward line don't think Down are that far ahead of Armagh. Down got the better deal on the manager side.

Down have had players coming though a few years but McCartan has been able to make it gel. People have talked about Derry having players coming through for a few years but it has never materialised.

Bit jealous myself but will be cheering the boys in Red ( sorry yellow) against Cork

Derry haven't many players coming through the past while, no minor since 02 and nothing at the most important age group in years for u21's. Down won the Ulster u21 in 05, 08 and 09, that means that you have a number of quality young players coming through. James has obviously made his mark, but something was happening in Down whenever wee Pete Mc Grath wanted the hot seat again.

[orangeman]

Down looked very fit on Sunday - Tally has proved himself with Tyrone -


Brian Mc Ivor has also massive experience and is as good a coach as there is out there.

[dundrumite]

If you touch the ball on the ground sure is it not a free as opposed to a penalty??

If you take 11 or 12 steps, sure its a free out and not a goal? These calls happen over the course of a game for both teams.

[waitingforsam]

Tally & McIvor were a great coup for Wee James's back room  & we saw that during the leauge.

DOES ANYONE KNOW WILL AMBROSE BE FIT FOR FINAL ??

[nrico2006]

If you touch the ball on the ground sure is it not a free as opposed to a penalty??

If you take 11 or 12 steps, sure its a free out and not a goal? These calls happen over the course of a game for both teams.

Who took 11 or 12 steps with the ball in hand?