Meath GAA

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.

With the Tailteann Cup final on the horizon, we looked back at the past four meetings between finalists Down and Meath, and it doesn’t make for good reading for the Mourne men.

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’.

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

DANIEL Guinness knew the texts would start flying once Down and Antrim had safely secured passage towards the business end of the Tailteann Cup

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.