Jim opens account for Mournemen

Jim opens account for Mournemen

7 January 2015

THE winner takes all tonight at Pairc Esler when Down entertain UUJ in the Dr McKenna Cup tonight.

It may only be January, but Jim McCorry’s men find themselves in an early season ‘do or die’ predicament as they square up to a star-studded university side at Páirc Esler with a semi-final spot up for grabs.

Down certainly upped their game on Sunday to take the scalp of Monaghan while the students got the better of Cavan by a point.

This has created a situation whereby all teams in the group are now on two points each with one round of games remaining.

The Down management shuffled their pack against the Farney men with Kieran Gordon, Peter Fitzpatrick, Cahal Crilly and Packie Downey all entering the fray from the start.

If Down want to reach the semi-finals then they may have to put experimentation aside and go with their perceived strongest selection.

Kieran Gordon did enough last day out to retain his place between the sticks. Darren O’Hagan, Luke Howard and Gerdie Collins have all developed an understanding and should be retained in the full back sector.

Conor Garvey is expected to come in for Malachy Magee at wing back with Brendan McArdle in the centre and Damien Turley on the other flank.

There is no reason to change the midfield combination of Peter Fitzpatrick and Niall Madine, but if Peter Turley is fit to play he should be an automatic choice in this area, despite having not seen any game time to date.

Packie Downey and Kevin McKernan are injury concerns in the attack and this could open the door for Arthur McConville and Kevin Anderson to return to the starting line-up.

Donal O’Hare, Conor Laverty, Cahal Crilly and Paul Devlin are good value to make up the attacking sextet.

The university side have serious class within their ranks.

Tyrone star Mattie Donnelly anchors the defence at centre half back.

The midfield is a pairing of former AFL stars in Antrim’s Niall McKeever and Down’s own Caolan Mooney.

Up top the danger comes from Mayo sharpshooter Cillian O’Connor and Tyrone ace Ronan O’Neill. There are also rumours that All-Ireland winning Donegal forward Paddy McBrearty may be in line to start the contest.

This has the potential to be a very entertaining duel.

Ulster University have their eyes on the upcoming Sigerson Cup campaign and will be raring to go. Down will desperately want another competitive fixture before the league starts and an improved performance could yield them a victory.