McCartan credited with putting 'swagger' back in Down
August 28, 2010McCartan has transformed Down from also-rans into Sam Maguire contenders in a matter of months and 1960 and '61 All-Ireland winner Doherty gives them every chance of beating Kildare in tomorrow's All-Ireland semi-final.
"McCartan has brought the swagger and confidence back to Down and they're playing as a team," he said.
"There's no individuals now and Benny Coulter isn't having to do it all on his own. He's got help now with Martin Clarke, John Clarke, Mark Poland and Danny Hughes. Any one of them can win the match for Down.
"At the start of the year, I didn't think the bench was good enough but they're coming on and getting scores so they mustn't be that bad. It really has lifted the county. We didn't think we'd be waiting 16 years to get back into an All-Ireland final but it would be great if we could reach the final on the 1960 team's 50th anniversary."
He continued: "I would say Kildare is the best team left in it so if we can beat Kildare we can win an All-Ireland, but we have to get over Sunday first.
"Cork have 30 good players but it is just about finding their best 15. Nobody would begrudge Cork an All-Ireland because they have been there or thereabouts long enough. I would obviously love to see Down do it, but I wouldn't begrudge Cork either." Tweet
