Down in the black for big clash with Cork

DOWN will wear an all-black kit for Saturday’s All-Ireland football qualifier clash with Cork at Croke Park.

On the only other two occasions the counties met in the championship, the 1994 All-Ireland semi-final and last year’s decider, Cork have worn white while Down have lined out in the gold and black of Ulster.

It has been confirmed, however, the Mournemen will don a reversal of their new jerseys which were launched before this year’s championship, similar to the shirt normally used by keeper Brendan McVeigh. Down previously wore all-black in a NFL game against Cork at Castlewellan in 1982, which finished in a draw. Cork will again wear the white kit which served them so well in the All-Ireland final.

In the curtain-raiser at GAA headquarters on Saturday, Kildare and Derry are both expected to change from their traditional predominantly white strips. Kildare will wear green, the colour of Leinster, while Derry’s change outfit of a red jersey with white hoop will also be on show, meaning that none of the four counties playing will be wearing their usual jerseys.