"We threw everything at it" - Down captain Pierce Laverty opens up on "sore" Ulster semi-final loss to Armagh

Pierce Laverty has a game with Down this weekend, just not the one he wanted or expected to play in. Instead of bidding for Down’s first Ulster title in 30 years against Donegal at a packed St Tiernach’s Park in Clones on Sunday, they’ll be playing Limerick in a Tailteann Cup opener the day before at a deserted Pairc Esler.

The margins were tiny. Having led Armagh for much of the Ulster semi-final last Saturday week, they were only beaten by Jason Duffy’s injury time winner, which not only ended their provincial hopes but also denied them a spot in the All-Ireland series.

They would have been underdogs in the Ulster final while they’re now the favourites to win the Tailteann Cup outright, but you know where Laverty would rather be playing his wares this weekend and there’s been a hangover the past week or so.

Read more: Tailteann Cup 2024 draw, fixture guide, betting odds and TV information

“We set out to beat Armagh and we just fell short of it,” he said. “But we threw everything at it. I was very proud of how everybody performed and how everybody carried themselves.

“It was obviously a sore one, it's been a sore one all week. We were back with the club for a week and we went back to training there on Sunday.

“I suppose there was that wee bit of flatness, that bit of atmosphere about the place but you just have to get back on the horse, get back to work, and now this is our main focus.

“Our mission now is to get through the group stages and get to the latter end of the competition.”

They managed that last year on the back of a drubbing from Armagh but suffered two defeats to Meath, in the group stage and again in the final.

“Obviously coming out of the Armagh game this year we have a better mindset than last year. It wasn't a 10-point defeat, it was a game that showed us that we can definitely mix it with big teams.

“I suppose the only way to mix it with the big teams is to get up the divisions and to play them week in, week out so I think that will stand to us a good bit. Look, we just have to try to approach this competition and try to win it.”

Down will play in Division Two next year after winning promotion in March, though their loss in the Division Three final to Westmeath meant that they had to reach the Ulster final to compete in the All-Ireland group stage.

But still, the team has made progress over the past couple of seasons under manager Conor Laverty after a forgettable 2022 and the captain is gushing in his praise of his namesake.

“I don't think we won a game that year. I was injured most of that year but I don't think we won a single game that year. It was before Lav took over.

“Just the culture change and the whole setup really, it's been amazing since Lav took over. There's a bit of a buzz around the county about us. You're seeing more kids wearing Down jerseys and there's a bit of a backing there for us. It's definitely a step in the right direction.

“I struggled with a lot of injuries [in 2022] and I said I would try to get myself right and then when I heard the rumour of Lav taking over I said I'd try to get myself ready for a big pre-season and then thankfully I got through a whole pre-season and it stood to me.

“I haven't looked back, I really haven't had a niggle. I've played every minute that I could play I think. So I'm enjoying it.

“I've never enjoyed my football as much, honestly. I have friends and family going travelling and I know it might be appealing for someone of my age to go away to Australia, take off to Sydney or Melbourne, but I'd rather be here playing football Down. I've never enjoyed my football as much.”

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