Doire v An Dun June 7th in Celtic Park (21 years on from the El Classico.)

[Mourne Rover]

It's a frustrating game, as Down supporters know so well. Both sides were very ordinary in the first half but Down showed great spirit after another ludicrous red card forced us to play practically the entire second period with 14 men.  A draw was the least we should have managed, and the referee appeared to make a complete mess of signalling the injury time. Two minutes was initially announced, and quickly changed to four minutes, which was about right given the sending off, a dust-up which resulted in four yellows and a number of other stoppages. Somehow another announcement cut the injury time to two minutes, which made no sense at all and deprived Down of a decent chance of an equaliser.

Derry have a fine defence, and Lynch and Bradley are top quality up front, but it is difficult to see them making an Ulster final. The Down forward line, with the exception of Laverty, is limited, and a run in the qualifiers will be totally dependent on tomorrow's draw. However, we must surely be due a slice of luck somewhere along the way.

A couple of Kane's kick-outs went badly astray but he settled after the break, and, even when we were a man down, regularly found team-mates. The defence did us proud, with Howard, Turley, Boyle and particularly O'Hagan looking the part. McArdle drove forward at every opportunity, although McGovern looked nervous early on and made a couple of errors before getting into the match and being dismissed for nothing more than a shove. .

Fitzpatrick had reportedly been flying at club level but his recall was sadly close to disastrous and almost everything he did went wrong. His miss just before the break was astonishing, he could easily have got a red for a wild tackle and it was amazing that he was not replaced much earlier. McKernan covered a huge amount of ground and got two wonderful first half points.

Devlin worked hard in open play without really hurting Derry, but his frees, apart one difficult enough effort, were excellent. Maginn put in his usual massive effort but it was not his day, while Poland had possibly not recovered from the lay-off after his eye injury, and, apart from winning a couple of frees, had a disappointing afternoon.

Mooney played in flashes, looking dangerous a couple of times but his passing needs to improve. O'Hare covered a lot of ground without every really contributing much and Laverty as ever was a gem. He almost single-handedly dragged us back into the contest when he dropped deep and shipped  a series of heavy tackles for his troubles.

None of the subs made that much difference, although either Madine or Turley should really have come on at the break for Fitzpatrick.

[5 Sams]

Just watched the game again and I'll comment on it later...but Colm O'Rourke really is a bitter fcuker when it comes to Down. For jaysus sake Colm get over it...it was nearly 24 years ago.

[DuffleKing]

What'd O'Rourke have to say?

[theticklemister]

Poland was a big let down today.

As someone said earlier, the physio did well

[yellowcard]

That game was nowhere near as bad as some have claimed. At least it was competitive unlike many of the turkey shoots in the other provinces. McIver will be delighted with the result and even moreso with the fact that they will go into a likely semi against Donegal slightly under the radar. I wouldn't discount them from winning Ulster but they will need to offer more of a scoring threat other than just Bradley and Lynch. On a side note the refereeing was shocking, the standard nationwide is very poor apart from a handful.

[Estimator]

O'Rourke slated Skinner before the game as well. Then went on to say that he'll probably do well on the rookie full back, referring  to Rogers. Unfortunately neither Pat nor Dara  informed him that Rogers and Bradley  we're playing on the same team.

[INDIANA]

That game was nowhere near as bad as some have claimed. At least it was competitive unlike many of the turkey shoots in the other provinces. McIver will be delighted with the result and even moreso with the fact that they will go into a likely semi against Donegal slightly under the radar. I wouldn't discount them from winning Ulster but they will need to offer more of a scoring threat other than just Bradley and Lynch. On a side note the refereeing was shocking, the standard nationwide is very poor apart from a handful.

You're right it was nowhere near as bad as made out earlier- it was in fact far worse.

When will people in Ulster realise that competitiveness does not equal good skill.

Just review the misplaced passes, wides, poor tackling and cynical fouling. If Barnet played Cowenbeath it would be competitive. You can't use competitiveness as a measure of quality. Two drunks could match each other for quality in a race after last orders

[snoopdog]

That game was nowhere near as bad as some have claimed. At least it was competitive unlike many of the turkey shoots in the other provinces. McIver will be delighted with the result and even moreso with the fact that they will go into a likely semi against Donegal slightly under the radar. I wouldn't discount them from winning Ulster but they will need to offer more of a scoring threat other than just Bradley and Lynch. On a side note the refereeing was shocking, the standard nationwide is very poor apart from a handful.

You're right it was nowhere near as bad as made out earlier- it was in fact far worse.

When will people in Ulster realise that competitiveness does not equal good skill.

Just review the misplaced passes, wides, poor tackling and cynical fouling. If Barnet played Cowenbeath it would be competitive. You can't use competitiveness as a measure of quality. Two drunks could match each other for quality in a race after last orders

if you don't like ulster football then don't f**king watch it . Stop bitching about it and watch your own province.

[rrhf]

That game was nowhere near as bad as some have claimed. At least it was competitive unlike many of the turkey shoots in the other provinces. McIver will be delighted with the result and even moreso with the fact that they will go into a likely semi against Donegal slightly under the radar. I wouldn't discount them from winning Ulster but they will need to offer more of a scoring threat other than just Bradley and Lynch. On a side note the refereeing was shocking, the standard nationwide is very poor apart from a handful.

dubs were shite too till the rest of us started throwing money St you. 

You're right it was nowhere near as bad as made out earlier- it was in fact far worse.

When will people in Ulster realise that competitiveness does not equal good skill.

Just review the misplaced passes, wides, poor tackling and cynical fouling. If Barnet played Cowenbeath it would be competitive. You can't use competitiveness as a measure of quality. Two drunks could match each other for quality in a race after last orders

[5 Sams]

O'Rourke slated Skinner before the game as well. Then went on to say that he'll probably do well on the rookie full back, referring  to Rogers. Unfortunately neither Pat nor Dara  informed him that Rogers and Bradley  we're playing on the same team.

Saw that....how much are these boys getting paid???

Did you hear him talking about Down's "Brendan McKernan".

You would nearly think he was talking about Skinner in that fashion because Brolly wasn't there. RTE saying...."say something controversial Colm....Joe's at the match with his Da!

Met him once at the races in Navan...he was a p***k then...plus ca change.

[rodney trotter]

McIvor made a balls of  a desision last year not accommodating Eoin Bradley while he had soccer commitments, he did this year.

Bradley was too good a player to be without. Derry lost to Donegal by 3 last year, Bradley would have made a difference no doubt.

[Wildweasel74]

We still cant understand why he woudlnt bring back Paddy bradley who been the top scorer in derry last year,

[Aaron Boone]

Poland was a big let down today.

As someone said earlier, the physio did well

Byl dobrze oznakowany. Derry wygladac mistrzow.

[tonto1888]

That game was nowhere near as bad as some have claimed. At least it was competitive unlike many of the turkey shoots in the other provinces. McIver will be delighted with the result and even moreso with the fact that they will go into a likely semi against Donegal slightly under the radar. I wouldn't discount them from winning Ulster but they will need to offer more of a scoring threat other than just Bradley and Lynch. On a side note the refereeing was shocking, the standard nationwide is very poor apart from a handful.

You're right it was nowhere near as bad as made out earlier- it was in fact far worse.

When will people in Ulster realise that competitiveness does not equal good skill.

Just review the misplaced passes, wides, poor tackling and cynical fouling. If Barnet played Cowenbeath it would be competitive. You can't use competitiveness as a measure of quality. Two drunks could match each other for quality in a race after last orders

It was a much better game than the Dublin Longford game from last weekend. At least nobody was falling asleep

[Jinxy]

O'Rourke slated Skinner before the game as well. Then went on to say that he'll probably do well on the rookie full back, referring  to Rogers. Unfortunately neither Pat nor Dara  informed him that Rogers and Bradley  we're playing on the same team.

Saw that....how much are these boys getting paid???

Did you hear him talking about Down's "Brendan McKernan".

You would nearly think he was talking about Skinner in that fashion because Brolly wasn't there. RTE saying...."say something controversial Colm....Joe's at the match with his Da!

Met him once at the races in Navan...he was a p***k then...plus ca change.

I bet you shouted, "Any tips, Colm?!", and he just ignored you.