"Those were great days"

BY MATT FITZPATRICK

A few weeks later in an All-Ireland Semi-final against Kerry, Down began with a great dramatic gesture when Sean O'Neill had the ball in the net after a minute. Nowadays they would call it a pre-emptive strike.

In that year of 1961, Down scored five utterly memorable goals, - James McCartan against Armagh; Sean O'Neill against Kerry; McCartan, O'Neill and Brian Morgan against Offaly in the first half of the All-Ireland Final. All were "Goals of the Season," executed at critical moments, three of them in the mouth of defeat.

There is nothing to stop Armagh creating a team like that. We just have to sit down and work it out. For the present. I will only say I think it fitting that we, Greeks, on this side of the river, should remind you, Romans, just how good you were.

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It's hard to believe that 35 years have passed since the senior footballers of Down first set the nation alight. Their football brilliance burst on the All-lreland scene, heralding a new era for the GAA. The success of Down during the 60s changed the whole concept of play throughout the land. But it was no overnight change that brought about that sporting revolution.

Maurice Hayes, the brilliant joint county secretary, laid the bluprint for an all-lreland victory as far back as 1956. Here was a man, light years ahead of his time. His true value to Down football history can never be repaid. He had faith in his plan that preparation, training, coaching and physical fitness would bring success. "If you can't beat them, join them," could well have been his motto. Certainly, Maurice looked at the play of the successful counties at that time. He studied their play and arranged challenge matches against the top sides. Down learned, and learned fast.

I remember well the training sessions in '59 at Banbridge. No player missed training. The late Danny Flynn varied training methods, ensuring that the panel never got bored. Teammanager Barney Carr quietly the opposition and laid the strategy for victory.

The big disappointment came in '59 when, after taking the Ulster senior title for the first time, they fell to Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. However, Down were made of sterner stuff. The efforts were doubled and the rest is history.

As in all squads there were players who stood out, "Jokers" if you like. I remember the great Paddy Doherty, who in training had it all worked out to a fine art. Dnnny Flynn had the lads doing short sprints. The winer was excused for the next four or five runs. Paddy "Mo" was always first to join the sprint. He also anticipated the whistle and easily won. Paddy Doherty topped the Ulster scoring cards for a complete decade, and was three times national scoring award winner. He also narrowly missed being the first player to score 1,000 points in his career.

The training was interesting. The players loved it, but were also fond of relaxation. My constant companions were Paddy Doherty, Leo Murphy, Tony Hadden and Fintan Mussen, a brother of Kevin and now the County PRO.

I will never forget the build-up to the 1960 Final, especially the moment when Kevin Mussen lifted the Sam Maguire Cup above his head as we crossed the border at Killeen. It seemed as if the whole of Ireland was there to welcome them home.

The same thing happened in 1961, when Paddy Doherty came home with the trophy. The celebrations were even better. Down had proved they were worthy champions. The previous year had been no fluke.

But the 1968 victory was in a way unexpected. A very young side, made up of minors beaten by Mayo two years earlier, plus Doherty, Dan McCartan, Joe Lennon and Sean O'Neill confounded the experts. Down had done it again! The celebrations were just as fervent, the ecstatic scenes just as brilliant. A new generation of players had done the Mourne county proud.

The Sixties are gone; they are a memory. but another decade has brought further glory. Those were great days.

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