I'm sorry but an average team doesn't beat Dublin or Mayo or Donegal. They lost out on the All Ireland by a single point playing not at their best and came third in the league straight behind Kerry and Cork. You can't judge any team on the first match, if that was the case then Tyrone wouldn't have won the All Ireland in 08 after getting beat by Down in the first round.

MissDownFanatic (Down) - Posts: 411 - 21/06/2012 17:27:57    1199405

Down should just get past Monaghan but I do not see them winning Ulster or reaching the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1792 - 21/06/2012 18:36:10    1199461

alot of lads missing for down but i still think they can win this match by about 3 or 4 points...

dubbydave. (Dublin) - Posts: 3927 - 21/06/2012 19:25:08    1199502

Both teams missing alot of players. Reckon monaghan will put up a good fight but for down to come out on top after a tight affair...

DUB1 (Dublin) - Posts: 5583 - 21/06/2012 19:40:07    1199507

cacsmckilly

Centuries? Almost 2 decades since Down won Ulster & an All Ireland. Overrated? I've heard no one in the media or among the pundits say that we can win Ulster or go far in the All Ireland series. It's all Tyrone or Donegal. Justifiably so.

The return of Hughes and Finlay, along with Freeman as a sub, will bring Monaghan back to the quality of a good team again. We were in 2nd/3rd gear for most of the Fermanagh game. Our big players (Hughes, Poland, etc) had a flat performance by their high standards. Down by 2-3 points.

ajdoyle78 (Down) - Posts: 520 - 21/06/2012 21:03:44    1199562

It'll be a bit like watching bulldogs chase pheasants, the aristocrats will come
away from this one with a few bruises I suspect. They will probably do enough
to win though, as the fighters will not last the game with 15 men and will resort
to their usual pugilistic behaviour!
The referee will have a big part to play in this game; if he is strict Down will win,
if he lets things go the fighters will make a game of it.
Bring plenty of Deepheat and bandages aristocrats; you are going to need it! ;)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 21/06/2012 21:23:01    1199578

The Monaghan team has been named but I know for a fact that neither Finlay or Hughes will start and I was also informed by a reliable source that both Dan Gordon and Coulter will feature for Down on Sunday.

Hardasnails (Monaghan) - Posts: 288 - 22/06/2012 09:26:00    1199634

Down team named, I'll be very surprised if this is the one that actually starts though.





1 Brendan McVeigh

2 Daniel McCartan 3 Brendan McArdle 4Gerard McCartan

5 Darren O'Hagan 6 Kevin McKernan 7 Conor Garvey

8 Ambrose Rogers 9 Kalum King

10 Daniel Hughes 11 Mark Poland 12 Aidan Carr

13 Donal O'Hare 14 Conor Laverty 15 Conor Maginn

OgraAnDun (Down) - Posts: 406 - 22/06/2012 10:28:05    1199671

Feeling confident ahead of this game. A nice quiet build up suits both sides, but it particularly suits the favourites! I think if we can produce a big performance we will have too much for Monaghan. 18 years ago we faced Monaghan in Armagh in an Ulster semi-final... And, well, the rest is history ;) Roll on the pre-match pints and craic!!

UP THE MOURNEMEN!

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 22/06/2012 14:42:49    1199905

Aye after the first round in 2008 - tell me how does that story finish?
My abiding memory was an ebullient Kevin McKernan saying "we always knew we were better footballers than Tyrone" and so encapsulating the inexplicable Down logic when it comes to things about Tyrone.

Tyronetim (Tyrone) - Posts: 1254 - 22/06/2012 21:59:45    1200226

Why are you posting about Tyrone in this thread? Sounds like you have a few issues yourself Tim

dufferman (Down) - Posts: 157 - 23/06/2012 09:14:01    1200234

TyroneTim, I wasn't attempting to get at Tyrone, I was just using it as an example to show you can't judge any team by the first round of the championship, By Gof
you Tyrone ones are always ready to jump....

MissDownFanatic (Down) - Posts: 411 - 23/06/2012 10:01:24    1200245

Ah now Dufferman....don't you know there always about Tyrone even when they aren't.
As for the why's and what fors (MissDown) I read and said little when a great match and occasion between Armagh and Tyrone was turned into a Tyrone assasination. I'll not pursue any individuals and quote back who said what .....but you know who you are.

Tyronetim (Tyrone) - Posts: 1254 - 23/06/2012 10:09:00    1200248

I have been looking forward to this game, its going to be the game of the championship so far!
By far the 2 best teams in ulster, I dont know what all the chat about Tyrone and Donegal is for!
The aristocrats will come out and show us all how to play football the way it should be played, it
hasn't happened in a while, but sure, we live in hope! ;)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 23/06/2012 12:08:59    1200295

Hey TheGateKeeper, that's the spirit ;)

MissDownFanatic (Down) - Posts: 411 - 23/06/2012 12:22:37    1200301

Theres no reasone we can't all be friends and have a bit o craic missy. ;)

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 23/06/2012 12:38:47    1200310

"Get on" the Farneymen @2/1 !

Monaghan Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 443 - 24/06/2012 11:35:28    1200809

Down minors currently winning 0-4 to 0-3.

OgraAnDun (Down) - Posts: 406 - 24/06/2012 12:43:13    1200845

05 - 04 to down at half time.

OgraAnDun (Down) - Posts: 406 - 24/06/2012 12:50:12    1200847

good enough crowd for the seniors 16k good support

dubbydave. (Dublin) - Posts: 3927 - 24/06/2012 14:05:56    1200889