Sir, - While I would agree wholeheartedly with Sean Kilfeather that Peter McDermott, the man in the cap, is indeed a man for all seasons, I would like to offer a few wee points of information. Quoting from the bible of Down football, An Dun - The GAA Story by Sighle Nic An Ultaigh, and not wishing in any way to impugn Peter's contribution to the great red and black romance of the early 1960s, I would like to point out that Peter, along with the famous coach Gerry Brown, was the joint trainer of the All Ireland winning Down junior team of 1946.
I also wonder about Sean's declaration that Peter was coach to the Down team which won back to back Senior All Irelands in 1960 and 1961. Without a doubt, Peter McDermott was a great friend to Down football, and his invaluable advice to the players of that golden era contributed in no small way to the Down breakthrough of 1960.
For the record, Peter was brought on board the good ship Down as an adviser after the drawn semi final with Offaly in 1960. The team trainer was Danny Flynn, and Barney Carr was team manager. - Yours, etc.,
Woodlawn Park,
Killarney,
Co. Kerry.