Looking forward to this fixture,usually games between the two are very open and full of quality,games from the golden 90s era and even more recently.

Down have shown a greater promise so far this year and may be slight favourites though I have a feeling that Derry have held themselves back to date after excelling in league and flopping in championship. Derry do seem to have few injuries but if Eoin Bradley is fit they may sneak a home win.

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1098 - 03/06/2015 16:39:18    1732049

A side issue-what do Down have to do to get a home Championship draw
for their first match???We seem to be on the road every year!!!!

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1617 - 03/06/2015 18:22:25    1732109

I wouldnt say we are under any pressure. Not many expecting a win so no pressure for fans anyway

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 04/06/2015 09:36:34    1732217

REDANDBLACK30
County: Down
Posts: 591

1732109 A side issue-what do Down have to do to get a home Championship draw
for their first match???We seem to be on the road every year!!!!
_____________________
You have a point there R & B, Tyrone are not much better though and we usually end up in Ballybofey!!

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 04/06/2015 10:23:29    1732244

The home/away issue could be easily solved. Any team who played away from home the previous year in the Ulster 1st round should be given home advantage the next year, if the team is drawn against a team who also played away from home the previous year then the draw stands, i.e. team out of the pot first plays at home.

The amount of money Down have lost out on over the years from constantly being drawn away from home must be enormous at this stage. I'm not complaining however, as I understand that it is simply 'the luck of the draw'.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 04/06/2015 10:34:53    1732251

Think of all the poor south Derry people. Every game they go to is an away game so it seems. Even Celtic Park ;)

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 04/06/2015 11:23:09    1732278

Fancy Down for this one, but only just !

ShortGrass_1 (Kildare) - Posts: 223 - 04/06/2015 11:35:03    1732286

The Derry support is among the worst in Ireland. They complain about having to travel to Derry city, yet they don't bother traveling no matter where the match takes place. There will be more Down support in Celtic park on Sunday, than Derry. Just like there was in 2013.

MourneArmy (Down) - Posts: 1787 - 04/06/2015 13:24:28    1732346

Yes it is an hours drive to Celtic Park, every game is an away game, before the 90s they used to play in Draperstown for league games.

4KHDoneill (Derry) - Posts: 182 - 04/06/2015 13:27:27    1732350

an hours drive.....only 5 min for me :) Big games have to be in celtic park. Support will only grow with success. No ulster since 98. People in this place find money tough enough without going to see derry lose to longford or cavan. Hopefully will change this year.

I half thought down would sneak this but Ive just seen the derry team. Very strong minus the forwards but hopefully skinner makes up for the rest

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 05/06/2015 10:11:48    1732652

DoireCityFC
County: Derry
Posts: 190

1732652 an hours drive.....only 5 min for me :) Big games have to be in celtic park. Support will only grow with success. No ulster since 98. People in this place find money tough enough without going to see derry lose to longford or cavan. Hopefully will change this year.

I half thought down would sneak this but Ive just seen the derry team. Very strong minus the forwards but hopefully skinner makes up for the rest

Yep 3 mins to Celtic Park for me, although I do see the point from the South Derry brigade. The County ground in the extreme western edge of the County, right on the Donegal border. If you are a die hard Derry fan on the shores of Lough Neagh, It's a considerable trek to your Counties Home games.

As for the game tomorrow, I'm not too sure how this will go. Jim McCorry's Down were very Impressive in the Division 2 final, and I though they had Roscommon's measure until the sending off. They have class forwards and seem to have found a nice Defensive/counter attack balance. While they are not the finished article just yet, I see Down as a serious threat to anybody in Ulster.

Derry have enough seasoned experienced players to win this game, however I suspect this may be a more defensive affair than previous classic Derry v Down encounters. I'm wondering if James Kielt and O'Boyle will feature.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 06/06/2015 13:10:34    1733121

I think down for this one ! Be a tight game like Laois and Kildare this evening !. Both teams have quality players the likes off Chrissy mcKaigue, Charlie Kielt and Bradley for Derry then mckiernen oHare and Poland for down. Down by one but won't beat donegal

cornynsah (Donegal) - Posts: 12 - 06/06/2015 21:54:36    1733381

It is immaterial to me who wins this game' and I dont think either side has any realistic changes of winning Ulster this year.

Not really a fan of Derry' but Should we progress against Armagh it would set up a Nice derby of sorts.

So come on the Oakleafers.

InishowenMan (Donegal) - Posts: 216 - 07/06/2015 12:24:09    1733451

Ref having a shocker here v soft frees he's ruining this game

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 706 - 07/06/2015 14:24:58    1733498

Strange sort of game it's varied from patches of good football to bad football throughout the game.Some great scores kicked by both teams in fairness and Mark Lynch has been pure class.

I think Derry should push on a win now they are getting their scores easier than Down are.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 07/06/2015 14:40:04    1733504

Far more physical and faster than yesterday's
Got slated by the 2 boys on rte but in the end the scoreline will probably be similar to yesterday's.

OhtobeARossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 1764 - 07/06/2015 14:52:20    1733513

Good first half, Derry may regret those frees they missed but Down are not out of this. Some really good points scored in this, and conditions are pretty benign too, looking forward to second half.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 07/06/2015 14:53:09    1733514

Unlike Dublin v Longford which was like a Senior team v Junior team mismatch and over after 5 mins .
This is a competitive junior game, poor tackling with the odd nice score but also some terrible misses.
Lynch and Bradley the difference.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 07/06/2015 14:54:04    1733516

I said ref was killing this game and that setting off sums it up with that sending of

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 706 - 07/06/2015 14:59:28    1733520

Disgraceful from match officials no way ever a red.

Pingcity (Longford) - Posts: 568 - 07/06/2015 15:01:10    1733521