Down's greatest ever player?

[Oraisteach]

S O'N was probably the best, but Paddy Doherty had a Canavanesque mystique about him.  Always liked McAlarney and Joe Lennon, as well as a lorryload of fellas called MacCartan.

re: other thread. M O'Hehir made them superhuman

[Pangurban]

According to legend the best Down footballer ever was someone none of us on this forum ever saw playing. No less a personage than Michael O Hehir described him as the greatest gaelic footballer ever. His name was Dan Lavery and he apparently hailed from Ballynahinch. Anyone ever hear off him, i often heard real old-timers talking about him

[Carbery]

If Down have produced a better player than Paddy Doherty I have yet to see him.

[umpire]

In my experience following the Down teams from 1960 era , these are my selection of fine 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, Aghaderg
8. Colm McAlarney, Liatroim
9. Jarlath Carey, Dundrum
10. Ambrose Rodgers, (Sen) Longstone
11. Greg Blaney, Carryduff
12. Paddy Doherty, Ballykinlar
13. Mickey Linden, Mayobridge
14. Sean O'Neill, Newry Mitchels
15. Benny Coulter, Mayobridge

My second selection

1.Micheal McVeigh
2.Brendan Sloan, Atticall
3.Conor Deegan, Downpatrick
4. Barry Breen, Downpatrick
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. James McCartan, (Sen) Glenn
12. James McCartan (jun), Tullylish
13. Peter Rooney, Warrenpoint,
14. John McCartan, Glenn
15. Martin Clarke An Riocht.

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, Liatroim
James Milligan, Ardglass
Micheal Cole, Rostrevor
Micheal Cunningham, Bryansford
Cecil Ward, Bryansford
Adrain McAuilfield, St Michael
Mark Turley, Glenn
Paddy Kennedy, Glenn
Brendan McGovern, Burren
Jim McCartan, Glenn
Donal Bell, Tecounnagh
Brendan Mason, Loughinisland
Paul Higgins, Ballymartin
Gregory McCartan, Ballymartin
Eamon Burns Bryansford.
Gary Mason. Loughinisland
Brendan McVeigh, An Riocht
Dan Gordon, Loughinisland.
Daniel Hughes, Saval
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.   Mickey Linden
6.   Greg Blaney
7.   Benny Coulter
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.
Best Manager, Peter McGrath, Rostrevor.

Dalsey Mooney Clonduff and  Brian Conlon, Newry Mitchels were brilliant young players and they could have been really outstanding players of all time for Down but they had to retired early due to serious injuries.

[Armaghtothebone]

I am not from Down, but I am surprised that Colm McAlarney (apologies if I spelt the name wrong) does not figure prominently in the discussion. He was one hell of a player.

Same here. I remember him in an A-I semi (against the Dubs?) in the seventies and he was absolutely unbelievable. Pains me to say it as an Armagh man but many greats from the Mourne county over the last 35 years (my era) but a S O'Neill of Down is always mentioned when the greatest of all time are brought up. Never saw him play but apparently he was 100% the finishede article. 

[Stevie g 8]

i would go withe sean o neill followed with mickey linden and greg blaney