The Ban’– the rule, introduced in 1905, which prohibited members of the GAA from playing or watching ‘foreign sports’– was always there, he recalls, lurking in the shadows.

That day in June is perhaps a microcosm of Down's 1991 story. Sport and the Troubles. Some 96 deaths related to the conflict in the north were recorded that year and through all that bloodshed an All-Ireland triumph provided an escape, a good news story on a bulletin list dominated by tragedy. With Huge Down support urging them on, the team was well on it's way to victory by half-time when they led by 1-10 to 0-2. Paddy 'Mo' had created the goal opportunity for Brian Morgan and had also accounted for four points. Incredibly, Down had fifteen points to spare at the final whistle, 2-16 to 0-7. It was ‘only’ an All-Ireland semi-final but it was an extended contest worthy of a final, any year, any decade.The man was a true hero to his people, and GAA folk all over the country knew him only as a larger-than-life, comic book hero. While supporters and players may have been deeply disappointed, the team management remained optimistic...they were ahead of schedule in their overall plan and were confident that the breakthrough was imminent. An interesting statistic...the 1958 final was the first of 12 consecutive Ulster final appearances for Down! The scene was set for the final showdown...Down v Kerry...Down seeking their first title and Kerry seeking their 20th. There was an amazing atmosphere all over the county as the players prepared for the big day. But they were well prepared and were not over-awed by the great occasion. They led by 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval but Kerry were still in contention until Doherty forced his marker to bring him down in the 'square'. Cool as ever, he stepped up to blast the penalty to the net.

Laois didn’t register a point from play until Evan O’Carroll’s effort on 31 minutes as Down, although Niall Kane was forced to make a smart save to deny Paul Kingston at the end of the first half. I knew I was going to receive a year’s suspension from the GAA for playing foreign games… so I signed amateur forms for Ballyclare Comrades in the Irish B Division. When I arrived for my first match with Ballyclare the goalkeeper failed to turn up. It assured Down winning what was known as ‘The World Cup' against a fine New York team made of players well-known in Ireland like Tom Furlong and Dessie Ryan. We always seemed to know what was in each other’s minds. We played so often together that we developed a pattern and understanding.So thanks again for the great football memories Paddy and to you also Tony Bagnall for an excellent book. The defeat by Galway at the same stage in 1965 was avenged in the semi-final before the 100% championship record against Kerry was maintained in the final.