Down face severe test

Down face severe test

12 June 2019

DOWN drew the short straw when they were paired with mighty Mayo in the second round of the All-Ireland Qualifiers.

It is certain that the last name Down wanted out of the hat was James Horan’s side who are still smarting from their unexpected exit out of the Connacht Championship following an ignominious defeat by Roscommon.

Pairc Esler should be packed to the rafters for this game next Saturday night at 7pm as Mayo are sure to attract a bumper crowd to Newry.

Paddy Tally’s side showed against Tipperary, despite being outmuscled at times, that they have the wherewithal to compete with the big boys and they don’t come any bigger than Mayo.

This mouthwatering clash will be a severe test for Tally’s men and his system.

Mayo have been mentioned in the same breath as Dublin and Kerry every year for the past decade when potential All-Ireland champions are discussed.

However, they have lost nine finals since 1989 and have not lifted the Sam Maguire since 1951.

Playing in the qualifiers will certainly give their players an extra edge and they are expected to reach the Super Eights this year again, but Down showed on Sunday that they are on the up.

Manager Tally was delighted to get past Tipperary on Sunday and felt relief more than anything else at the final whistle.

“I was very relieved because we all knew if we didn’t win, the next time we would be getting together would be November for pre-season, which would be unbearable,” he said.

“I feel these lads can go somewhere in this competition and it would have been an awful shame to have left it all behind on Sunday. I think there was a bit more hunger from the Down team, especially in turning balls over and tackling. They showed a greater desire to win the game.”

Slowly, but surely Down’s players are starting to buy into Tally’s revolution.

Goalkeeper Rory Burns is a natural between the posts. He exudes confidence with his handling and his kick-outs are rarely wasted.

The full back line of Darren O’Hagan, who negated the threat of former All Star Michael Quinlivan, the recalled Benny McArdle and Downpatrick’s Gerard Collins were immense.

Kevin McKernan, Daniel Guinness and Ryan McAleenan threw a brick wall up in front of the back three and made scores extremely hard to come by for Tipperary. 

A fit again Jonny Flynn was a colossus in the middle of the park and more than held his own against the highly-rated Steven O’Brien.

Conor Poland’s physicality was much-needed in the engine room and Conor Francis’ non-stop running frustrated the life out of Tipperary.

The Down forwards all kept going when forced to live off crumbs, but it was the introduction of Mayobridge’s Cory Quinn that really caught the imagination.

The 24 year-old forward has been the scourge of every defender on the county club scene since the start of the season and he is now starting to show that sort of form for Tally.

The pocket rocket has pace, power and an eye for scores. Quinn has yet start to start a game for Down and throwing him in the deep end against a side like Mayo may not be fair on him, but Tally knows that he can spring him from the bench when required.

The suspended Caolan Mooney will also be back for the Mayo game and he will relish the prospect of locking horns with Aiden O’Shea O’Shea, Keith Higgins, Matthew Ruane and Lee Keegan.