Conor Laverty

CROKE Park’s ability to ignite and douse dreams in equal measure, sending emotions shooting towards opposite ends of the spectrum, was at its brilliant, brutal best last weekend

DOWN have bounced back from a few setbacks during his first year at the helm – and Conor Laverty expects his side to improve again after the disappointment of Saturday’s Tailteann Cup final defeat to Meath

DOWN will have to do it the hard way if they are to play in next year’s All-Ireland series after the goal-den touch deserted the Mournemen in Saturday’s Tailteann Cup final

IT’S almost four years on, and we’re back in Newry’s Canal Court Hotel, a few tables up from the last time.

Down assistant manager Marty Clarke has claimed that Meath ‘were clearly the better team’ when the two sides met in early June, but the path that their 1-11 to 1-9 defeat against the Royals sent the Mourne men on, may have been ‘a blessing in disguise’.

The Down manager is a bit more progressive and modern in his thinking than his opposite number Colm O"Rourke and that could be the difference

Down selector Mickey Donnelly is banking on boss Conor Laverty’s “wee bit of magic” to help them claim the Tailteann Cup title

Ceilum Doherty believes that Down’s run to the Tailteann Cup has proven the level of quality that exists within the county, and he attributes their success to the faith shown in the squad by manager Conor Laverty and his assistant Marty Clarke.

Saul clubman delighted to lead Mournemen out at Croke Park - and to destroy Laois.