Down hope to overcome Monaghan

Down hope to overcome Monaghan

1 June 2016

DOWN face a battle of colossal proportions when they head to the ‘Cauldron of Clones’ on Sunday in an attempt to tame the reigning Ulster Champions.

Having met in Division 1 of the NFL in February, these teams know each other well, but it was the Farneymen who triumphed that day on a 0-13 to 0-11 scoreline.

Down’s build up to Sunday’s clash saw them put in a disastrous league campaign in the top tier that ended in relegation and without recording a single win.

However, there were some positives. With the absence of a host of regulars, manager Eamon Burns blooded a lot of new players and they gained valuable game time against some of the best exponents in the country.

Reports from the Mourne camp also suggest that fortunes have picked up in recent weeks with training progressing well and good showings in challenge games against Cork and Westmeath.

There is little expectation of Down succeeding in Clones and Burns admits that his side are not expected to come out on top.

“It is what it is,” said the two-time All-Ireland winner. “We are massive underdogs, but there’s always an expectation in Down that we can win games, that on any given Sunday they can perform, regardless of who they (the opposition) are,” he said.

“If you think back to ‘94 and my own playing career, we went to Celtic Park to play Derry and nobody thought Down was going to win. The only people who thought that were the panel of players that afternoon, we knew we had a chance. It is a big task going to Clones, facing the Ulster champions, but we have a chance,” he added.

Monaghan are a strong proposition who have established themselves as one of the top eight teams in the country.

Conor McManus has been declared fit for the game and his presence will be of a great boost to the Farneymen.

There were concerns over the Clontibret star after he picked up a knock which left him limping towards the end of his club’s championship defeat to Ballybay recently, but the two-time All Star winner has since been cleared to play on Sunday.

U-21 ace Barry McGinn is also set to be available for the clash in Clones after recovering from a shoulder injury, while manager Malachy O’Rourke has confirmed that veterans Paul Finlay and Dick Clerkin will be in the panel after seeing minimal action during the National League.

Down’s line-ups during the league changed game by game, but Eamon Burns should now know his settled fifteen.

Michael Cunningham had established himself as the county’s number one, but a freak injury in a club game has ruled him out for the season. Stephen Kane of Kilcoo will replace him between the sticks.

Gerard McGovern was impressive during the winter months and he is a certain starter at full back. Luke Howard’s experience will be needed at corner back while Darren O’Hagan is a must for the other slot. Gerard Collins will be pushing hard for inclusion in this sector too.

Darragh O’Hanlon and Conaill McGovern look like good bets for the wing back positions with the former’s free taking ability and the latter’s agility and robustness key qualities.

Benny McArdle has returned to action in recent weeks after a bad Achilles injury and he could be a surprise call at centre half back with the experienced Aidan Carr the other obvious option.

Peter Turley has been a constant at midfield and his presence in the middle third is essential. Getting a midfield partner that compliments the RGU man has been difficult.

Burren’s Mark McKay, Clonduff’s Henry Brown and Ballymartin’s Cathal Doyle are all in the frame, but don’t be surprised to see a tactical move that may see Joe Murphy line out here.

Down have plenty of craft in their forward line and with Mark Poland back on form he can be expected to be handed the number eleven jersey.

Conor Maginn will take up position on the wing with Kevin McKernan on the other flank performing a more expansive role. The top three triangle needs Donal O’Hare at its pinnacle as he is crucial from set-pieces and from play.

Paul Devlin is one of the finest forwards in the county and deserves his place with the exciting Barry O’Hagan finishing the unit. In terms of replacements, Down have decent quality with Connaire Harrison, Jonny Flynn, Ryan Mallon, Ryan Boyle and David McKibbin all prepared to contribute.