Silky Sludden looks ahead to Ulster final


IN an era of heavy gym work, Niall Sludden believes that skill-work remains the most necessary component for success in modern day gaelic football. The 25-year-old Dromore man was widely praised for an astonishing attacking performance against the mighty Dubs back in the spring. On that occasion, he slalomed through the heart of the Dublin […]


Burns living in the here and now


DOWN boss Eamonn Burns says he won’t be harping back to his own playing days in the lead up to Sunday’s Ulster final bout with Tyrone. With the odds stacked against him, Burns has guided his side to victories over Armagh and Monaghan to set up a repeat of the ’94 final against Tyrone, a […]


Turley: We believe in ourselves this year


PETER Turley is confident that Down can defy the odds for a third time this year in Sunday’s Ulster Championship final against Tyrone. Wins against Armagh and Monaghan have brought Eamonn Burns’ side within 70 minutes of the county’s first Anglo Celt since 1994. Down are a confident, motivated force this season, but Turley says […]


McGeary keen to add to his résumé


AMID the pandemonium of last year’s thrilling Ulster Final climax, Kieran McGeary can barely recall his injury-time point which effectively brought the Anglo Celt title back to Tyrone. He’s not the only one. Sean Cavanagh and Peter Harte’s pivotal late scores were widely acclaimed as two of the best of 2016, but Tyrone fans could […]


Cunningham: Down’s togetherness paid off against Armagh


THERE have been no articles pinned to the changing room walls, there have been no roars from Eamonn Burns to ‘prove those pundits wrong’ – for Down goalkeeper Michael Cunningham, the side’s recent progress has simply been the result of a level-headed approach. Yes, one or two players, in public and private, have made it […]


McCrory does his talking off the pitch


EXPERIENCED Tyrone defender Aidan McCrory admits that he has no personal recollection of any verbal jousting with Donegal from past meetings, but is aware that it probably goes on. The two counties have developed a fierce rivalry over the course of the last eight seasons, their many encounters brimming with flashpoints and unsavoury incidents. More […]


Clarke at a distance from Cavan-Monaghan hype


IN normal circumstances, Cavan captain Killian Clarke would have to make an extra special effort to insulate himself from the friendly banter associated with their age-old rivalry with Monaghan, who they face in this Sunday’s Ulster Championship quarter-final. During his school days, Clarke crossed enemy lines more times than you’d care to mention as a […]


O’Hagan out to end 25 years of hurt for Down


IF Down’s Ulster famine has been excruciating for their fans, the wait for a championship win over bitter rivals Armagh has been equally unbearable. Clonduff man Darren O’Hagan is attempting to become the first player since Paddy O’Rourke in 1992 to lead Down to a championship win over the Orchard county. The rivalry has belonged […]