Paddy Tally believes the Kildare management will have their homework done on Down ahead of Sunday week's All-Ireland semi-final.

The Down trainer said: "Kieran McGeeney and Aidan O'Rourke would have a fair working knowledge of the Down players. Aidan would have coached a few of the Down players at Queen's as well ad him and James (McCartan) would have worked together at Queen's, so there is a fair strong connection there. But we are under no illusions that this is a massive game for Down.

"We are into an All-Ireland semi-final and it's probably the biggest game to win because once you are in the final, you really have a great chance to win it. But getting there is the biggest thing and we all know how difficult it's going to be."

He continued: "Last year, I thought Kildare were very close to putting Tyrone out, they were only within a kick of the ball really. So this is a decent Kildare team, a very disciplined Kildare team and they have been steadily improving.

"The backdoor system has suited them very well, they have got stronger as they have gone on and their second half display in the quarter-final against Meath was particularly impressive. They have a lot of good players, physical and strong and good athletes so they are going to be very formidable." Tweet

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