Paddy Tally Gaelic Games
National Football League Division Three
Tipperary v Down
Paddy Tally has joined the race to become the new Down football manager complete with a backroom team which includes ex-Donegal boss Brian McIver. Tally was brought in as trainer to the Down senior team last season, having previously trained Tyrone to their maiden All-Ireland success in 2003. From the section Gaelic Games Paddy Tally's side are in contention for promotion to Division Two Down manager Paddy Pally said they would have been. 46-48 Main Street, Castlewellan, Co Down, BT31 9DP Tel: 028 4377 0880 Email: accounts.down@gaa.ie Secretary Sean Og McAteer Email: secretary.down@gaa.ie Tel: 028 437 70880 / 077 3970 0705.
Sunday, Clonmel, 2pm
TIPPERARY have already provided Down with one big lifeline for the 2020 season, and they could be the source of more help if the Mourne county can leave Clonmel with two league points on Sunday.
If it wasn’t for Tipperary’s motion at last October’s Special Congress, Down would have been playing in a tier two championship later this summer unless they reached the Ulster final. The rider provided by Tipp, however, means that the participants in the new tournament will be decided after the 2020 National League rather than before it.
So, the promotion race takes extra significance this season for both these sides, and for Down their league (and championship) picture could be framed in the first three games.
A home match with Derry is sandwiched between trips to Tipp and Cork, three opponents who are expected to be pushing towards the promotion spots rather than the relegation berths.
While nothing can be taken for granted following last year’s fumble against Louth, Down manager Paddy Tally will know that a good start in the first three games will leave them in excellent shape.
January was a positive month in trying circumstances. Tally was without a number of players due to Kilcoo’s run to the All-Ireland final as well as the Sigerson Cup.
Despite that, wins over Fermanagh and Antrim secured a first McKenna Cup semi-final appearance since 2013.
They were well beaten by Tyrone in that last-four match but the management would have been pleased with their vast improvement in the second half.
The opening 35 minutes were a reminder of the gap between Division One teams and Division Three sides as Tyrone led 1-12 to 0-4, albeit with the winds at their back.
Paddy Tally Gaelic Games
Down were much improved in the third quarter and Cory Quinn’s goal cut the deficit to just four points with nine minutes remaining, but Tally’s native county finished strongly to win 2-16 to 1-10.
Quinn once again showed glimpses of class in January having become a fan favourite with his robust style last year. Pat Havern has also started the season well in attack while Jonny Flynn has performed promisingly in midfield. Youngsters like Liam Kerr and Ross Carr could also get some minutes in Clonmel given the amount of players currently missing.
The Kilcoo contingent are expected to miss the first two rounds of the league at least while Caolan Mooney will miss the majority of it after suffering an alleged assault in Newry earlier this month.
Niall Donnelly remains a few weeks away from being fully fit while Pierce Laverty will definitely miss out having picked up a bad injury against Tyrone.
Tipperary will also have one big absentee in the form of Michael Quinlivan who is away travelling.
David Power, who managed Quinlivan as Tipp won the All-Ireland Minor title in 2011, has taken over from Liam Kearns and he will be hoping that they can somehow fill that particular void. Easier said than done, though.
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Power’s backroom team has a bit of an Ulster feel to it while his trainer Paddy Christie should also be able to provide some information on Down.
The former Dublin star was part of Paddy O’Rourke’s Burren backroom team last season and worked closely with the likes of Kevin McKernan and Donal O’Hare.
Donegal natives Charlie McGeever and Michael McGeehin are also part of the management team as Tipp aim to start the league season with a home win.
It may only be round one but this game feels like it has a lot attached to it. Down started their Division Three campaign in poor fashion last year as they lost at home to Laois. Given that those two sides finished level on 10 points and the O’Moore county were promoted, it proved to be a damaging result.
A loss in Tipp could be equally as hurtful, but if Tally’s men can escape with a win then their season’s ambitions will look a lot brighter even this early – and not just in the league.
n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com
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Paddy Tally had a major input into Tyrone's All-Ireland win |
Tally has confirmed the surprise news although he was reluctant to give reasons for his decision.
'We won't be working together next year. That's it. I don't have anything further to say than that,' Tally told the Irish News.
Tyrone boss Mickey Harte, who was informed of Tally's decision on Monday, confirmed that their 'working relationship no longer exists'.
Harte appointed the youthful Tally as his trainer immediately after his appointment in late 2002.
In their first year in partnership, Tyrone claimed their historic inaugural All-Ireland title and retained the National League for good measure.
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Minutes after Tyrone won the All-Ireland, captain Peter Canavan singled out Tally for special mention in his acceptance speech.
Galbally man Tally is also manager of the St Mary's College Sigerson Cup team and this year, brought Harte into his backroom team for the varsity competition.
Tyrone officials are understood to be shocked at the 30-year-old's departure.
Hurling
The sports science graduate is a lecturer at St Mary's in Belfast.
Meanwhile, the Armagh GAA board have postponed the remainder of the county football championship until after the All-Ireland U21 Final.
Gaelic Games Ps2
The game is scheduled to take place on 3 October but there are suggestions that Mayo may ask for a postponement for a week because of the county's involvement in the All-Ireland Senior Final on 26 September.