Paddy Deegan has watched enough football in his life, going back to his sons’ first steps on the Downpatrick pitch, to seeing them win

Down are top of Division 3 of the Allianz Football League heading into the final round of group games, while Derry continued their unbeaten run in Division 4 this afternoon.

Cavan 1-14 Down 0-15

Donegal 2-22 Down 1-12

With two shock results at Omagh’s Healy Park having shaped this year’s Ulster SFC, tomorrow afternoon at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones, Donegal face Down for a place in a novel showpiece.

Former Down All-Star Marty Clarke has advised his county to draft in Steven Poacher to their management set-up as soon as he becomes available.

Michael Quinlivan says back-to-back promotions for Tipperary might have been “a step too soon” and is glad they’re staying in Division Two for another season.

Connor McAliskey scored a goal on his first game for Tyrone in exactly a year as the Red Hands beat Antrim 4-20 to 2-11 in the Athletic Grounds.

Young footballer of the year candidate Seán Powter could join Douglas teammate Eoin Cadogan in the Ireland panel to face Australia.

For the first time in the history of the PwC All-Stars, there are four candidates for the footballer of the year including two goalkeepers, David Clarke and Stephen Cluxton, writes John Fogarty.

For the first time in the history of the PwC All-Stars, there are four candidates for the footballer of the year including two goalkeepers, David Clarke and Stephen Cluxton.

Tyrone 2-17; Down 0-15: Tyrone demolished Down’s challenge with a second half power-play to retain their Ulster SFC title at Clones, writes Francis Mooney.

Down have emerged from the depths of despair to challenge once again for Ulster football glory.

Down scored a first Championship win over Armagh in 25 years, but they won’t be making any bold forecasts of a major breakthrough following this unconvincing success against a misfiring opponent.

Cork 1-10 Down 0-13

Down 1-13 Meath 0-14: It was a long time coming, so Eamonn Burns was relieved to get Down over the winning line as they picked up a first Allianz League victory in almost two years.

Down 0-7 Donegal 3-15: Rory Gallagher wants Donegal’s established players to feel the heat from the next generation, and there were loads of positives for him to take from Saturday night’s emphatic league win in Newry.

Benny Coulter has claimed Down need Dan Gordon back to resolve their midfield problems if they are to challenge for an Ulster title.

Down 3-12 Laois 1-15: Down’s ability to find the net helped them clinch promotion back to Division One while Laois maintained their league status despite defeat in Pairc Esler yesterday.

Down 1-17, Galway 1-16: Kevin Walsh was left regretting Galway’s wastefulness as Down came with a late charge to snatch a valuable win which moved them to the top of Div 2 in the Allianz Football League.

Allianz FL Division 2 Round 2: Down 1-11 Roscommon 1-15: An impressive away victory in Pairc Esler on Saturday night is further proof that Roscommon will be "no pushovers" this year, according to manager John Evans.

Five questions from the weekend

Kildare 1-15 Down 3-13: Allianz Football League Division 2: A crestfallen Jason Ryan was left to rue another late collapse by his Kildare players as they conceded two goals and a point in the space of a minute at the end of the game to throw away victory.

A blistering opening set Galway on their way to a 2-13 to 1-12 win over Meath in their Allianz Football League Division 2 tie today.

Down 3-13 Kildare 1-15

Down 1-13 University of Ulster 1-07: Down made light of terrible conditions in Páirc Esler to see off the students in last night’s Dr McKenna Cup tie.

Benny Coulter has admitted that Down’s All-Ireland final loss to Cork in 2010 is the great regret of his career which will "eat me up until I go to my grave".

Benny Coulter last night joined the list of high profile inter-county players to announce their retirement in recent weeks, admitting it is with "a heavy heart" that he has called time on his 15-year career with Down.

Odds of up to 5/1 on a championship game between Donegal and Down wouldn’t have raised many eyebrows three years ago, but the identity of the rank outsiders when these two meet on Sunday most certainly would.

The sun was shining, the pitch was in pristine shape, and conditions were perfect for Championship football — yet an unmistakable air of melancholy hung around Celtic Park on Sunday.

Down star Kevin McKernan has hit out at three of his team-mates who have quit the squad to travel abroad.

Former Down star Caolan Mooney felt he was “used” by the GAA and admits he grew “sick” of the game before leaving for Australian Rules.

Former Kerry ace Tommy Walsh has been given an 11th-hour opportunity to play a role for high-flying Sydney Swans in the AFL’s finals’ series, earning a recall for tomorrow’s clash against Geelong.

A significant change to regulations relating to developmental players is likely to see an increase in interest in Irish players by AFL clubs.

Aidan Carr has vivid enough memories of 1994 and the role his father played in Down’s last All-Ireland success.

“Knives are carried too easily; they are nearly like a fashion accessory,” warned a councillor in Dundalk town after three people were hospitalised with stab wounds.

AFL club Carlton moved Setanta Ó hAilpín on this week but they are continuing their commitment to the so-called “Irish experiment” by holding a trial at the University of Limerick on Saturday morning.

DOWN football received a timely boost yesterday with the news of Jamie O’Reilly’s return home from AFL side Richmond Tigers.

ALL STAR Down forward Danny Hughes has questioned Cork’s ability to put back-to-back All-Ireland titles together and predicted that Kerry will ultimately reign supreme this year.