The new Down way: Conor Laverty's troops out to end 30-year wait

When Tommy Sugrue blew his full-time whistle on 18 September, 1994, Down football had reached its zenith.

A two-point win over Dublin, the prodigious James McCartan with the crucial goal, ensured Sam was heading towards Newry, Downpatrick and Newcastle for a fifth time.

The men in red and black had come to Croke Park and conquered once again. Five finals, five wins. Only Limerick – 1887 and 1896 – and Donegal – 1992 – could also boast perfect final records at that time, but to do it five times and against Kerry (2), Dublin, Offaly and Meath? That was special.

The aristocrats of Ulster had become the aristocrats of Ireland and as the drizzle fell and DJ Kane – who named Sugrue as his favourite referee in an Irish Press player profile the day before the game - lifted Sam and told the crowd that the result proved 1991 wasn't a fluke, nobody could have envisioned that the county would endure a three-decade barren spell.

That’s pretty much the case though. The senior team’s roll of honour on 18 September, 1994 is identical to the roll of honour on 13 April, 2024 with the exception of a trio of pre-season McKenna Cups.

This evening, another attempt to end the wait will begin as their Ulster campaign gets up and running against Antrim at Páirc Esler.

Over those 30 years, no county has come from behind to overtake them in the All-Ireland roll of honour, although Meath, who had been level with them on five titles, have moved onto seven.

There have been notable changes in Ulster though. When the Mourne County won the '94 Anglo Celt Cup, they were five ahead of bitter rivals Armagh, they now trail by two. Tyrone had been further back, on six, but now sit four clear of Down. Donegal are closing in on them, having added five provincial