Realistic McKenna Cup hope for Down

Realistic McKenna Cup hope for Down

4 January 2017

DOWNPATRICK will play host to Down’s first competitive game of 2017 as the Mourne County aim to put 2016’s Annus Horriblus behind them.

Manager Eamon Burns began trials late in October with the panel coming together in mid November. A cut before Christmas has brought the number on the team down to 40.

New fitness trainer Rory Friel has had the squad working hard on their stamina with a few gruelling sessions taking place in Tollymore over Christmas.

Burns will have Mark Poland and Kevin McKernan as his two most experienced campaigners this term while Clonduff’s Darren O’Hagan will captain the side with the RGU’s Peter Turley taking on the vice-captaincy.

County champions Kilcoo have four players on board in the form of Paul Devlin, Darragh O’Hanlon and the Johnston’s, Ryan and Jerome.

However, it is believed that only Devlin and Ryan Johnston will play any part in the McKenna Cup.

Some of the other new faces in the panel include Glenn’s Niall McParland and Shay Millar, Darragh Cross midfielder Matty Hardy, Bredagh attacking duo Alan Davidson and Donal Hughes along with Ballymartin’s Michael Higgins.

Former AFL star Caolan Mooney comes back in to the frame after making a less than impressive debut under Jim McCorry.

Efforts to bring Martin Clarke and Paul McComiskey back in from the cold have proved fruitless while an injury free Brendan McArdle has made himself available.

Much will be expected of Clonduff’s Barry O’Hagan to provide the firepower up top while hometown stars Gerdie Collins, Anthony Doherty and the Turley brothers will want to impress in front of the RGU faithful.

A huge disappointment for Down followers is the absence of the quintet of Branagan brothers from Kilcoo. Daryl and Aaron are the two best defenders in the county at the moment while Aidan, Niall and Eugene provide plenty of steel.

It looks as if Kilcoo’s former county captain Conor Laverty will also not return to the fold.

QUB will have plenty of representation from Down on their side with Bredagh’s Conor Francis, Saul’s Ciaran Harney, Bryansford defender Ruairi Wells, Dundrum pair Aidan Fegan and David McComiskey and the aforementioned An Riocht’s Martin Clarke.

Quite simply Down football needs wins. Wins breed confidence.

There’s no better place to start than at 2pm in Downpatrick on Sunday.