Dan Gordon is keen to remind that Tyrone are favourites

Not everyone has been impressed by Down's surprise stride into Sunday's Bank of Ireland Ulster Final against Tyrone.

RTE pundit Colm O'Rourke said over the weekend that he expected Sunday's Munster Football decider between Kerry and Limerick to be a tighter affair than the Ulster showpiece.

O'Rourke comments on Ulster football invariably cause northern folk to bristle but if the passions can be put to one side for a moment, there is a certain amount of logic in what he says.

Both Monaghan and Fermanagh squandered great chances to beat Down and the Mourne county's performances in both those games shouldn't have Tyrone players quaking in their boots.

But there remains that nagging memory of majestic Down displays on the big occasion.

One remembers in 1991, when Down struggled to reach the Ulster decider and then lifted their level of performance incredibly to hammer Donegal.

The older players are giving great leadership Dan Gordon

Young talent Dan Gordon has been sticking to the script.

Such is the talk emanating from the Down camp in the run-up to Sunday's game, you could almost be forgiving for thinking that they are already focusing on the last round of qualifiers where the beaten provincial finalists will be involved.

"Tyrone are favourites for the All-Ireland...themselves and Galway," says Dan.

"This year we are emerging and hopefully we'll be a good force in a couple of years".

Presumably, Paddy O'Rourke might even give the young man a ticking off for his next admission that "we're by no means definite losers".

"If we play well there's a chance but Tyrone do go in as hot favourites".

Grant doubt

Gordon's young colleague Benny Coulter has said in the run-up to the decider that the Down players have given Paddy O'Rourke more commitment this year than was the case for Peter McGrath 12 months ago.

After being involved last season, Gordon is not so sure but he does point out the "great spirit" in the camp.

"The older players are giving great leadership, the younger players are willing to train hard and there's a great belief in the camp".

Gordon talks of an All-Ireland medal being a "realistic target in a few years time" but the chance of Ulster glory is in the here and now.

Down are understood to have one major injury doubt ahead of the decider.

Corner-back Brendan Grant is thought to be struggling because of injury which could mean Liam Doyle switching to the full-back line.

Stephen O'Neill: Tyrone injury doubt

Forward Stephen O'Neill and goalkeeper John Devine are Tyrone's major doubts.

O'Neill is still troubled by an ankle problem while Devine was unable to train for three weeks after the win over Antrim after suffering rib damage in that game.

Midfielders Cormac McAnallen and Sean Cavanagh are both fit after missing the win over Saffrons through injury.

Their return leaves Mickey Harte with a selection headache as Gerard Cavlan produced an outstanding display in centrefield in the provincial semi-final.

The Tyrone squad didn't train over the weekend as a mark of respect to Peter Canavan whose father Sean died last week.

Meanwhile, the dates and venues for the next round of Guinness All-Ireland Qualifiers have been announced.

The full list of qualifier fixtures is:
Sunday: Pearse Stadium (1530 BST): Galway v Tipperary
Thursday 17 July: Thurles (1900): Offaly v Limerick
Saturday 19 July: Nowlan Park (1815): Waterford v Wexford.