You can’t keep a good man down!

One of the best forward in Gaelic football over the past fifteen years or more has been Down’s legendary corner-forward Mickey Linden.

The Mayobridge clubman now in the twilight of a memorable playing career is still going strong at the age of 42, and will play a part both on and off the field on Sunday when he leads his side in their Down SFC final meeting with Bryansford.

Linden a double All-Ireland winner with Down and the 1994 ’player of the year’ is presently managing the reigning Down champions, Mayobridge and has been involved on the playing side in this season’s championship run coming on in their quarter-final and semi-finals wins.

He is very much playing the role of ’super sub’ with a side that is captained by current Down star, Benny Coulter and also includes full-forward Michael Walsh who returns to competitive action after missing the semi-final win with a hamstring injury.

The Mayobridge side have dominated Down senior football in recent years. They have been worthy champions over the years, and the only disappointment for them has been the fact that they have still to win the Ulster club championship. If they are successful on Sunday they will be amongst the favourites to take the provincial title, especially with scoring forwards such as Coulter, Walsh and super sub the ageless Mickey Linden in their ranks.

Bryansford are very much the underdogs

Bryansford go into Sunday’s Down SFC final against Mayobridge very much the underdogs despite the fact that when the sides last met in the county final back in 2003 they came out winners.

They are always capable of giving Mayobridge a good game, and their side includes current county player, Brian Burns who won All-Ireland honours with Down back in 1994 as a defender. He plays in the midfield sector for them on Sunday, and is one of their key players.

Also expected to play on Sunday is the talented corner forward, Ciaran Brannigan who played a leading role in Down’s memorable All-Ireland M.F.C. final success over Mayo last Sunday. The youngster has great pace and poise on the ball attributes that made Mickey Linden special.

Many shrewd judges of Down football liken the speedy Brannigan to a certain Mickey Linden. Both men could be on the field on Sunday, and the expected large attendance will then be able to judge the ’old and the new’ in what many feel will be interesting and closely contested decider.