Down have it all to do again

Down have it all to do again

20 June 2018

HOPE springs eternal for Down fans on Saturday when they make the long trek to Enniskillen for a second round All-Ireland Qualifier against Cavan. 

Both sides were eliminated from the Ulster SFC by Donegal in recent weeks. Cavan lost out 2-20 to 1-15 in a preliminary round clash, while Down suffered a devastating 2-22 to 1-12 semi-final defeat Sunday week ago. 

The sides last met back in March in the NFL, but Down’s wayward shooting that day cost them dearly as Cavan recorded a 0-17 to 0-14 win at Breffni.  

Saturday’s clash at Brewster Park is expected to produce fireworks following that attritional clash and there is even more at stake now. For Down to progress they must stop the ball going into Cavan’s speedy forwards. 

It is unlikely that Eamon Burns will make wholesale changes for Saturday’s game. Donegal targeted ‘keeper Marc Reid’s kick outs last time out, but he should retain the number one spot, despite picking up a knock in the second half of that game. 

The full back line of Colm Flanagan, Benny McArdle and Anthony Doherty were given a torrid time by Patrick McBrearty, Jamie Brennan and Michael Murphy, but they too should also start against Cavan, although Bryansford’s Ruairi Well and David McKibben would make more than capable replacements. 

Down’s half back line of Caolan Mooney, Darren O’Hagan and Niall McParland also struggled against Donegal, but they are the best in the county at what they do and there is no point in making changes just for the sake of it. 

Donegal made a tactical point of trying to dovetail all their approach play through midfield and attacked Peter Turley will all guns blazing. Their intention was to run the legs out of the Downpatrick man by this tactic and he came under intense scrutiny. 

However, he and Niall Donnelly remain the best option Down have in this sector. The half forward line of Conor Maginn, Kevin McKernan and Shay Millar spent most of the afternoon in Clones on defensive duties and they had little chance to shine going forward. 

Donal O’Hare and Connaire Harrison were Down’s best players by far against Donegal, despite living off scraps, and if they can get a supply of ball they are a handful for any defence.

The remaining position will again be filled by either Ryan Johnston or Ronan Millar unless Burns opts for a double sweeper system and there then could be a place for either McKibben, Wells, Jonny Flynn or Niall Madine.

Goalkeeper Raymond Gilligan gives Cavan a steady platform on which to build.

Jason McLoughlin, Padraig Faulkner, Conor Brady, Martin Reilly, Ciaran Brady and Enda Flanagan are battle-hardened defenders with Stephen Murray and Bryan Magee likely to start in and around the middle of the park. 

The vastly experienced Cian Mackey makes the Cavan attack tick and he can rely on Dara McVeety, Conor Moynagh, Oisin Kiernan, Niall Clerkin, Gearoid McKiernan and Caoimhin O’Reilly for scores. 

Defeat for Down could well signal the end of the county careers of several of the Down players and that would leave the way clear for Burns to start rebuilding the squad in time for next year’s championship.

But that’s a debate for another day and hopefully it won’t start on Saturday night.