Down to face the Saffrons

Down to face the Saffrons

14 February 2024

DOWN senior footballers are aiming to make it three wins on the trot in this season’s Division 3 campaign when they come up against Antrim this Sunday at Corrigan Park in Belfast.

The action begins at 2pm with crowds expected to attend in their droves to witness the latest instalment of this famous Ulster rivalry.

Conor Laverty’s Mournemen are entering the contest on the back of a strong start to their quest for promotion to Division 2 having dispatched of newly promoted Wicklow comfortably in Aughrim before ably overcoming Limerick by 3-16 to 0-9 in Newry a fortnight ago.

To whet the appetite further, both Down and Antrim currently sit in first and second position in the Division 3 table, so the winner of this tie will no doubt be touted to climb back up the national ranks.

Down will be hoping to keep their free-flowing confidence in front of goals having netted three times inside the opening half the last time they stepped out.

Odhrán Murdock has continued his eye-catching form in the middle of the park and he has been ably assisted by the accurate free taking of Pat Havern, powerful running of Daniel Guinness and consoled in defence from a backline marshalled by skipper Pierce Laverty.

Meanwhile, Andy McEntee’s Antrim aces have also enjoyed a perfect start to Division 3 having picked up a hard-fought opening victory away to Limerick before gaining a slender one-point win over Offaly in their second fixture.

In their game against Limerick, the Saffrons signalled their intent with an impressive attacking display and kicking accuracy proved crucial as their Treaty opponents were wasteful at vital moments.

A strong finish to the contest allowed Antrim to regain a lead which they had let slip momentarily and a confident ending gave them all two points on offer.

Then, against Offaly, Antrim’s ability to get over the line with a victory meant that they have now already matched last season’s total of wins in their opening two games of 2024.

With both teams in flying form, this fixture has all of the makings of another classic contest.

In last year’s Division 3 encounter, Down defeated Antrim by 2-18 to 2-17 in a game which had everyone inside the Newry ground on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

The game, which as the scoreline suggests, went right down to the wire with Andrew Gilmore landing the difference-making point on the day.

Gilmore remains within the Down panel but there are a number of changes to this year’s line-up, most notably in between the goalposts as John O’Hare has taken over from Niall Kane.

The Glenn shot stopper has been called into action multiple times already during Down’s first two contests and will no doubt need to be on top form to keep the attacking prowess of Niall Burns and Dominic McEnhill at bay.

For those hoping to attend the match, the Down GAA Supporters’ Club are organising a bus which will leave Castlewellan at 11.30am.

For further details, contact Seamus McClean on 07873 761804.