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The 32 Mount Rushmores | Down's greatest sportspeople

We're heading back up to Ulster tomorrow for our Down Mount Rushmore selections - so we want to k...



The 32 Mount Rushmores | Down'...
Racing

The 32 Mount Rushmores | Down's greatest sportspeople

We're heading back up to Ulster tomorrow for our Down Mount Rushmore selections - so we want to know who you think the four greatest sportspeople from the county are?

The decision will be finalised on OTB AM tomorrow morning, as Adrian and Eoin are joined by Conor Deegan and Donal O'Neill, while Colin Murray is set to make an appearance with a last pitch to try and sway the final decision!

There have been many famous Mournemen and women and it's not going to be an easy selection by any stretch:

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You would imagine there are a couple of shoe-ins straight off the bat - including world number one golfer Rory McIlroy.

The 31-year-old from Holywood has picked up four Major wins in his career to date, with just the Masters eluding him. He will undoubtedly add more trophies to his collection in the coming years.

May 5, 2019 - Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America - Rory McIlroy walks down the fairway after teeing off on the first hole during the final round of the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club on May 05, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Credit Image: © Spencer Lee/ZUMA Wire)

George Best grew up on the Cregagh Road in east Belfast - and although much of the city is in County Antrim, Best falls into the neighbouring County Down.

The Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend passed away in 2005 aged just 59, and has to be one of the picks on the mountain.

Pat Jennings is another famous football face that will be in the mix - the former Spurs and Arsenal net-minder from Newry earned an incredible 119 international caps between 1964 and 1986.

There are a couple of famous names from the equestrian world too in with a shout - Richard Dunwoody is a three-time Champion Jockey, while Tony Dobbin won the 1997 Grand National onboard Lord Gyllene.

Eddie Irvine remains a cult Formula 1 figure - the Ferrari legend was born in Newtownards and grew up in the neighbouring Conlig.

Eddie Irvine, Ferrari, winks at the crowd after winning his first Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Then there's the GAA world - many of the 1991 and 1994 All-Ireland-winning side could claim a place. Pete McGrath led the team, James McCartan was a key cog in that side and scored the goal in the '94 final, while DJ Kane was a captain and commanding figure.

Legendary midfielder Eamonn Burns, who passed away suddenly in October of last year, Mickey Linden, Maurice Hayes and Seán O'Neill are other legitimate contenders, while in more recent times Benny Coulter served his county with distinction.

Mayobridge man Coulter earned an All Star after helping Down to the All-Ireland final in 2010, where they lost to Cork.

O'Neill played for many years with Down - and there are plenty of others from the 1960, 1961, and 1968 All-Ireland winning sides who will be in tomorrow's contention. He is one of only four Down people to have won three All-Ireland titles - Joe Lennon, Dan McCartan and Paddy Doherty are the others.

Portaferry middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean has picked up medals on the world stage and is a huge hope for Ireland when the Tokyo Olympics do take place next summer, while Paralympic swimmer Bethany Firth has multiple gold medals and records in the pool.

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Missed any of our Mount Rushmore county-by-county series? Get all episodes so far here! 

Here is Nathan Murphy's selection of Mayo's Mount Rushmore from Episode One!

Here is Colm Boohig's selection of Cork's Mount Rushmore from Episode Two!

Here is Will O'Callaghan and Paul Rouse's selection of Offaly's Mount Rushmore from Episode Three!

Here is Shane Hannon and Gráinne McElwain's selection of Monaghan's Mount Rushmore from Episode Four!

Here is Diarmuid Lyng and Liam Griffin's selection of Wexford's Mount Rushmore from Episode Five!

Here is Neil Treacy and Jack Anderson's selection of Limerick's Mount Rushmore from Episode Six!

Here is Enda Coll and Kieran Cunningham's selection of Donegal's Mount Rushmore from Episode Seven!

Here is Máire-Treasa Nic-Cheallaigh and Michael Lyster's selection of Galway's Mount Rushmore from Episode Eight!

Here is Adrian Barry and Conor Moore's selection of Westmeath's Mount Rushmore from Episode Nine!

Here is Ronan Mullen and Dan McDonnell's selection of Louth's Mount Rushmore from Episode Ten!

Here is Alan Quinlan and Michael Quinlivan's selection of Tipperary's Mount Rushmore from Episode Eleven!

Here is Tommy Rooney and Hector Ó'hEochagáin's selection of Meath's Mount Rushmore from Episode Twelve!

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Down Down GAA George Best Golf Mickey Linden Mount Rushmore Off The Ball Rory McIlroy