Ard Mhacha v An Dún - Cluiche Ceannais Rionn 2 - Pairc an Chrócaigh 25/4/10

[John Martin]

Lets not kid ourselves about this being a meaningless game. It is a final in HQ and both teams will want to win it.

As a Down man I think we have been playing closer to our championship level than some of the other teams so Armagh will be much improved from the game in Newry. It's a tough one to call but think Armagh will have a bit more Croke Park experience to shade it by a couple of points.

[mackers]

Settle down fellas .....We seem to have a few options in each position for this game ..no point in gettin our knickers in a twist about Sunday...we'll give it a quare good rattle .....our main objective is to get everyone fit for the championship...no point in getting worried about a pointless challenge game against a second rate team we have already humiliated this year..

How can a national final in Croke Park be deemed a 'pointless challenge match' for Down. I am struggling to remember Down actually winning a game at HQ in recent memory, can anyone enlighten me on this one. Get the excuses in early lads so that afterwards you can say that you are more interested in the bigger picture. I detect plenty of fear coming from the Down camp for this one.   

We look to have a far stronger panel than we have done in years and wee james looks the part so far but the Championship is what we are lookin at for sure and a sixth all Ireland all the lads have to do is get us to the final and let nature take its course 

Wee James is flat out in the media trying to keep a lid on things but it's obviously wasted on you!! I've a feeling your mummy was still wiping your a*se in 91 and 94 and you wouldn't know how much better the AI winning teams of 91 & 94 were compared to this years team. If Down (or Armagh for that matter) get to Croker to play in an AI QF this year they'll have had a successful season.

[orange2009]

Orchard TV Preview ahead of NFL Division 2 Final

http://armagh-gaa.com/Orchard-TV/News/VIDEO--NFL-Division-2-Final-Preview.aspx

[Farrandeelin]

I fully expect more Armagh and Down fans to be at the game than Mayo and Cork. Fair play to both sets if that's the case. I've never seen more apathy with Mayo fans for a day in Croke Park in my life.

[Skiddybadoo]

Bring back Tony I say.  Can do without Trevor

Hello, Trevor.

I say bring back Trevor. Tony was the problem.

[illdecide]

Both managers have been saying all week that this is not that important and that championship is all that matters...FFS grow a set the both of ya, it's def a good way of keeping the looser on the right side of the fans so that they will say "i told ya so, it's the championship that matters" do them two hoors think we are going to Dublin for a fish supper. Count the train fare, match ticket and you're grub (maybe a few pints too) and it's a good bit to be spending for them two to say "it's not that important if we're beat, it's the championship that matters"

[Throw ball]

Does anyone know if you park in Clonliffe College can go get out before the end of the second match. Parked there two years ago when Armagh played Wexford and stayed to watch Kerry and Galway and nearly didn't get home again with the rain! Do not want to try that again! Besides given Mayo's Final record match may be over good and early.

[Farrandeelin]

Does anyone know if you park in Clonliffe College can go get out before the end of the second match. Parked there two years ago when Armagh played Wexford and stayed to watch Kerry and Galway and nearly didn't get home again with the rain! Do not want to try that again! Besides given Mayo's Final record match may be over good and early.

[Throw ball]

Does anyone know if you park in Clonliffe College can go get out before the end of the second match. Parked there two years ago when Armagh played Wexford and stayed to watch Kerry and Galway and nearly didn't get home again with the rain! Do not want to try that again! Besides given Mayo's Final record match may be over good and early.

Only joking!

[CountyGK]

Any team selections released?

[cabra_harps]

Anyone thinkin that a Down v Armagh derby in a final isn't important is in dreamworld. Thought of losing to Armagh would put wee James crazy... well even more crazy! 
I'd say we'll win with a few points to spare.

[orange2009]

Ronan Clarke starts as Paddy O'Rourke names his team for NFL Final

http://armagh-gaa.com/Football/News/Team-to-play-Down.aspx

[BerfArmagh]

Tickets sorted last night. Taking the wee fella for his first first (hopefully of many) visit to croker. looking forward to it, hoepfully its a good game... Up Armagh

[downredblack]

Yeah my wee man is making his first trip to Croke Park too . Not as confident as I was going into the Newry game but still think Down can do it .

[Mourne Rover]

According to Hogan Stand, Ambrose has been named at midfield and the rest of the starting team is more or less as expected. There must stiill be quite a doubt about Ambrose, and both Benny and McComiskey are probably not 100 pc either, but at least we have some options on the bench. Maginn and Poland are particularly unlucky not to make the cut, and Kearney probably got the nod through his defensive work. Hughes is overdue a decent game, and hopefully it will go better for him than on our last Croke Park day.

The listed side is McVeigh, McCartan, McArdle, Rafferty, McKernan, Colgan, Garvey, Rogers, King, Kearney, M Clarke, Hughes, McComiskey, J Clarke, Coulter.