How do people see this going???Its a real toss of the coin here I think.I think
Down might just edge it.Both teams have midfield problems to contend with.
The reason I am slightly favouring Down as I feel we have a number of
players in the forward line who can get scores whereas Derry might be reliant
on Bradley and Kielt.Down scored heavier in the national league.
I have a soft spot for Derry as my earliest memories are of the titanic battles in the early 90s
when they were the two of the best teams in Ireland.Really hope they are exiting
the Championship next Sunday though!!!!

How will Down's rookie players react in the white heat of Championship battle????

Can the winners of this match challenge for Ulster???

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1702 - 30/05/2015 11:00:19    1730180

It's some tough draw. The winners going on to take on Armagh or Donegal. The losers having to trudge through 4 qualifier rounds.

It is a toss of a coin. Extra-time and or a replay cannot be ruled out. The winner should have every confidence of making the Ulster final. To answer the last question - YES, the winner of the match can challenge for Ulster.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8780 - 30/05/2015 13:19:11    1730211

I think both sides could definitely take an Armagh or a Monaghan, It's definitely within our capabilities to do that. So yes, either side could win the Ulster Championship this year.

However I wouldn't be so confident of Down or Derry beating Donegal, even though I think Monaghan or Armagh could beat Donegal or run them close. Donegal are more structured, consistent and clinical than the other sides, and they don't tend to underestimate less successful sides.
Where we seen Monaghan and Armagh sometimes underestimate or certainly give weaker sides or sides perceived to be weaker a bit more freedom than they would afford a big side.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 30/05/2015 18:02:31    1730303

I agree with that.Derry or Down would have more chance against Armagh.
Its likely Donegal would be too street wise for both. Armagh have a
better chance to beat Donegal.If Armagh wins Derry/Down have a
good chance to make the final.

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1702 - 30/05/2015 18:30:34    1730313

REDANDBLACK30
County: Down
Posts: 590

1730313 I agree with that.Derry or Down would have more chance against Armagh.
Its likely Donegal would be too street wise for both. Armagh have a
better chance to beat Donegal.If Armagh wins Derry/Down have a
good chance to make the final.

Yeah they definitely could beat Armagh to reach the Ulster final, but either side would have a superb chance of then beating a Monaghan side, who probably would reckon they have it already won with other main rivals Donegal, Tyrone and Armagh already knocked out. If Armagh managed to beat Donegal, they too could be caught on the hop, as they mite think its their year and have an eye on an Ulster final with Monaghan.

I believe the knock-on effect of winning an Ulster Championship is massive, especially for younger players in any panel. And I think it can bring any County team on leaps and bounds. Such a win brings in much needed funds, gets more young people Interested and that can rejuvenate the game throughout an entire County.

I'm hoping Derry can click against Down, and that will Ignite a spark entering the Ulster SF.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 30/05/2015 21:18:46    1730371

Sadly i cannot see derry winning this one. the fact that our midfield is all on the physio table and we lack a real top class forward

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 01/06/2015 11:16:56    1730780

I'm predicting a Down victory in this one, Derry just aren't at the races at the moment.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 01/06/2015 13:55:21    1730904

Hi. No idea how to quote

DoireCity FC "Sadly i cannot see derry winning this one. the fact that our midfield is all on the physio table and we lack a real top class forward"

Ferbie will be fine and you would prob be 1 of very few who wouldn't put Skinner down as top class.

Toss of a coin. Its a pity the winners will likely take on Donegal

Seamy_Hendrix (Derry) - Posts: 47 - 01/06/2015 14:53:23    1730956

at least we might have one man in midfield then ha ha

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 01/06/2015 15:12:46    1730974

Hi. No idea how to quote

DoireCity FC "Sadly i cannot see derry winning this one. the fact that our midfield is all on the physio table and we lack a real top class forward"

Ferbie will be fine and you would prob be 1 of very few who wouldn't put Skinner down as top class.

Toss of a coin. Its a pity the winners will likely take on Donegal

Seamy_Hendrix (Derry) - Posts: 47 - 01/06/2015 15:47:03    1730996

Both sides have their injury concerns, so whoever wins/loses can't use injuries as an excuse. Derry have had months to deal with their injuries losses, and Down have had months to blood in new talent. This is a game Derry fans will believe they can win, and Down fans believe they can win just as much.

Derry 8/11 favourites, Down 11/8 outsiders. Generally Derry don't cope well with the favourites tag, however I think even Derry players will realise that this is a 50/50 game and therefore I can't see the favourties tag being an issue.

From a Down point of view, we probably still don't know our best 15, which is a worry. We are weak at midfield also. I would play Caolon Mooney here, alongside Peter Fitzpatrick (who played midfield in the 2010 All-Ireland final, but left the squad thereafter). Mooney has pace to burn, and could cause Derry problems, as from what I have seen of them, they lack pace in the half-back line. I was at the Derry-Tyrone match, and noticed in particular how Derry struggled when Tyrone attacked down the wings due to a lack of physicality and pace, perhaps this could be a strategy that Jim McCorry will pick up on and exploit, as Down are not short of pace in the forward line.

Our defense has improved 10-fold since James McCartan was manager. It is still not perfect, but at least our defenders have learnt how to swarm the opposition! A lot will also depend on how efficient Down are on the counter-attack after turning over possession. Luke Howard has been a great addition to our full-back line, a touch tight marker who will probably be given the unenviable role of man-marking Eoin Bradley. This could be a crucial match up in the outcome of the game. Derry lack scoring forwards, therefore if Down are to win the game, Howard will have to counteract the influence of Bradley in the forward division, not an easy task at all.

Conclusion- Both teams will set up with a defensive, counter-attacking game plan. Derry perhaps will use similar tactics to the one they used vs Dublin (I hope not). Down will continue to play a similar brand of football to what they did in the league, one which allowed us to score highly. Down created umpteen goals chances throughout the league, so expect goals. However, Roscommon exposed us badly in both games and that is a worry. It would be wrong to conclude without mentioning Down's brilliant away record. Kildare, Westmeath and Cavan are not easy places to go to and win, but Down done just that during the league. Derry's home and championship record of recent years under McIvor has been very poor. I can't see any reason why this will change this year?

Down to win, but I wouldn't rule out a draw here either (sitting on the fence).

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 02/06/2015 10:42:29    1731252

Derry haven't reached the semi final since 2011 so a win is a step in the right direction, Derry are not in the spotlight this year so they will beat Down by 5 points.

4KHDoneill (Derry) - Posts: 182 - 02/06/2015 16:23:24    1731508

I think Derry will beat down for a few reasons, Derry are very quiet compared to this time last year when everyone was talking bout them even after their hammering in the league final, I suspect this quiet build up will suit them....... I believe they are physically too strong for down and lastly the game is in Celtic park, not a fortress by any stretch but sooner or later they will start winning home c'hship games there......

ben1977 (Donegal) - Posts: 364 - 02/06/2015 22:01:33    1731744

ben1977 ture. We havent but 10% of the effort we have put into the league in the last 4-5 years. Its needs to work however or it will be 3 years with out a championship game win.......i think

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 03/06/2015 09:56:54    1731797

Either side could win this. Down seemingly on way up and Derry on way down going by the league.
Both know that Ulster is winnable this year by any side who get on a run.

BIG SACKS (Tyrone) - Posts: 1681 - 03/06/2015 11:17:05    1731840

Have to fancy down for this, if they stop derry scoring goals that could swing it for them as down you would think with there small nippy forwards running at pace with quick hand passing could split derry defence open, don't think derry will set up like they did against dublin { which was shocking ] down by 2.

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 744 - 03/06/2015 13:24:32    1731926

Both teams have very good managers and good sets of players. Derry do not appear to have taken the league as seriously this year and maybe have prepared thoroughly for the championship whereas last year the league final may have disrupted things. Home advatage at Celtic park should just see them over the line.

Byanthon (Tyrone) - Posts: 1792 - 03/06/2015 13:30:33    1731933

I see Poland is back. Good news for Down......not for us!

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 03/06/2015 15:34:27    1732022

Delighted with the confirmation that Mark Poland is fit to play vs Derry. He's a very important player to us in the way we play. An excellent and underrated play-maker. We missed him badly against Roscommon in the league final, especially considering how close to be game he was injured.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 03/06/2015 15:50:47    1732032

03/06/2015 13:30:33
Byanthon
County: Tyrone
Posts: 1003

1731933
Both teams have very good managers and good sets of players. Derry do not appear to have taken the league as seriously this year and maybe have prepared thoroughly for the championship whereas last year the league final may have disrupted things. Home advatage at Celtic park should just see them over the line.

I agree, and it seems to be the general consensus from Derry management, supporters and the media alike. However, this surely puts Derry under pressure to perform and beat Down? They have put all eggs into the one basket.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 03/06/2015 15:54:15    1732034