Down hoping for change of fortune

27 January 2016

DOWN’S senior footballers open their NFL Division 1 campaign against Donegal at Pairc Esler on Saturday night more in hope than expectation.

If betting odds are anything to go by then Down are heading straight for the relegation trapdoor before a ball has even been kicked.

The general GAA public seem to be of the same opinion. Hopes of survival in the top flight aren’t exactly high among the hardcore Down support either.

Nevertheless, Eamon Burns and his new-look side will be pumped for the league opener against a Donegal outfit that turned them over recently in the McKenna Cup.

Neither team was particularly impressive in the pre-season competition, but they should put up a stronger showing in this tie.

Down have been very experimental to date, but manager Burns will infuse more of his experienced campaigners into the equation over the coming weeks.

Stephen Kane has established himself as the number one keeper while Ryan Boyle, Damien Turley Kevin McKernan and Aidan Carr are crucial to a defence that could be under sustained pressure.

Luke Howard and Darren O’Hagan are on the comeback trail, but are unlikely to feature, while Brendan McArdle is definitely out through injury.

Conal McGovern will slot in somewhere with Darragh O’Hanlon also worthy of a start in the rearguard.

Midfield could be a problem for the Mourne men this term. Downpatrick’s Peter Turley fits the bill in terms of physicality, but don’t be surprised to see Niall Madine, Caolan Mooney or even Arthur McConville slotted in to the equation alongside him.

Dan Gordon has just finished a tough slog with Loughinisland and is unlikely to return to the county fold just yet.

With Conor Laverty not involved the forward line has lost some of its guile. The Johnston brothers, Ryan and Jerome, are sure starters with Mark Poland, Conor Maginn and Donal O’Hare the experienced heads on show.

Benny Coulter has returned to training and what a lift his presence would give to the home support if he was positioned on the edge of the square.

Donegal bring dogged tenacity to the table and they will look to capitalise on the physical stakes early on.

If Down are to survive in the top flight they need to get maximum returns from their home games.

It is going to be an extremely testing next few months.

Eamon Burns and his new look team simply can’t contemplate a defeat on Saturday night, but that’s exactly what they are staring down the barrel at.

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