Galway in Down’s sights

Galway in Down’s sights

4 March 2015

IF Down are to make a serious push for a return to the elite division of the National Football League, then victory over Galway in Newry this Sunday is a must.

Jim McCorry’s side showed a tremendous team spirit to collect a valuable win at Breffni Park on Saturday night.

Make no mistake about it, winning on Cavan’s home turf is no easy feat. Down can be very proud of their efforts.

Galway haven’t seen action in a month after their game at the weekend was called off. Leading up to this they had defeated Meath and Westmeath.

Kevin Walsh has at his disposal quite a young side that have shown an ability to post high scores.

Question marks remain over their defence, but the Tribesmen are perennial bad travellers.

Danny Cummins and Patrick Sweeney are the twin threats up top while Gareth Bradshaw and Gary O’Donnell are seasoned defenders.

Second guessing Jim McCorry’s starting line-ups is near impossible. There has been little consistency in positional or personnel selection in recent times as the Down management have seen fit to try out new players and to tinker with systems.

Kieran Gordon had an impressive display against Cavan, but the opportunity to test Michael Cunningham may also be of benefit.

Brendan McArdle and Darren O’Hagan picked up injuries on Saturday night and their direct replacements Ryan Boyle and Gerdie Collins fared well. Aidan Carr and Conor Garvey also made substitute appearances and are very much back in the frame.

Burren’s Conail McGovern hardly put a foot wrong on his debut and he will be looking to nail down a starting point. Peter Turley put in another strong display at midfield and finding the right partner for the RGU man is crucial to Down’s progress.

There is an embarrassment of riches in the attacking sector at the moment.

Kevin McKernan and Conor Laverty are two of the best forwards in Ireland at the while Donal O’Hare has rediscovered his previous good form.

Arthur McConville has made people sit up and take notice every time he has entered the fray and he probably merits a starting berth. Yet McCorry may view him as more of an impact player.

Conor Maginn won’t be happy warming the bench and Mark Poland, Jerome Johnston and Darragh O’Hanlon will all be aware of others breathing down their necks.

Down have to follow up the Cavan success with a win here. They need to rid themselves of the inconsistencies which have plagued past league campaigns.

Galway may be slightly ring rusty and if Down can get a good start they have sufficient organisation and application in their ranks to prevail.