DOWN start their opening National League campaign with a tricky away fixture to Kieran McGeeney’s Kildare on Sunday with a 2.30pm throw-in.
In last year’s National League Down got off to a flier by winning their opening couple of matches in Division Three against Tipperary and Lough. They did lose to Cavan and Limerick but made the final when they defeated Longford, Offaly and Roscommon.
Sometimes during 2009 the Mourne men were exceptional while on other occasions they failed to sparkle.
It was the latter scenario on a dreary Saturday evening in Pearse Park, Longford as, in rapidly descending darkness, they lost the Division Three National League Final to a last-gasp extra-time Tipperary point.
But 2010 is a new year with a new boss and new expectations from successstarved Down fans.
Manager James McCartan ran the eye over most of his panel during the McKenna Cup and can feel reasonable happy going into the league.
Although the McKenna Cup is a low-key competition, nonetheless the former double All Ireland winner must have been impressed with what he saw.
The team looks particularly strong in attack with Benny Coulter, Paul McComiskey, Martin Clarke and Danny Hughes in excellent form and linking up superbly.
Also looking good up front were Conor Lavery, Mark Poland and John Clarke and there were quite a few others who also looked useful.
In midfield too Down have an abundance of riches with strong competition from Ambrose Rodgers, Peter Fitzpatrick and Dan Gordon – while the giant Kalum King will provide further competition for a place.
It’s good to see James Colgan back in the panel and looking fit while the intelligent Kevin McKernan and athletic Ronan Murtagh can slot into a number of positions.
The only fly in the ointment thus far is the full back line. As in recent years it has been the team’s Achilles’ heel. In the McKenna Cup little changed.
Granted Damien Rafferty, Conor Garvey and Martin Cole gave workmanlike displays but no one has really emerged to nail down that vital full back slot.
Wee James will have his work cut out to rectify this situation.
Still experiments have gone reasonably well in the opening weeks and McCartan’s main aim for the next few months will be to build confidence, get a few wins under his belt and stay in Division Two.
Down’s National League fixtures:
Sunday, February 7 at 2.30pm away to Kildare.
Saturday, February 13 at 7.30pm home to Meath.
Saturday, March 6 at 7.30pm – home to Tipperary.
Saturday, March 13 at 7.30pm – away to Donegal.
Saturday, March 20 at 7.30pm – home to Armagh.
Sunday, March 28 at 2.30pm – away to Westmeath.
Sunday, April 11 at 2.30pm – home to Laois.
Down lose in McKenna semi-final
On Wednesday the Mourne Men suffered their first defeat under James McCartan, going down by a solitary point, (1-13 to 1-12) to Donegal in the semi-final of Barrett’s Sports Lighting Dr McKenna Cup in Brewster Park, Enniskillen.
Although one got the distinct impression that McCartan wasn’t too bothered about losing as he lined up without star men Benny Coulter, Martin Clarke and Ambrose Rodgers.
Donegal edged it 1-05 to 1-04 at the break, with the highlight of the opening half being the skilful Paul McComiskey totting up a personal tally of 1-03, John Clarke firing over the other score.
But on the resumption Donegal piled on the pressure and added seven points to their tally with Down only able to reply via a John Clarke free and a fourth McComiskey point.
However when the big three of Coulter, Clarke and Rodgers entered the fray things changed quickly. Skipper Dan Gordon, playing his first match of the season grabbed his first score while Martin Clarke (2), Danny Hughes and Ronan Murtagh added others.
But although Down pushed forward in numbers seeking that elusive equaliser it was a backs-to-the-wall Donegal who made it into the McKenna Cup Final.
Down: Brendan McVeigh, Stephen Toner, Conor, Garvey, Martin Cole, Sean Parr, Brendan McArdle, Kevin Duffin, Peter Fitzpatrick, Kalum King, Dan Gordon (0-1), Mark Poland, Ronan Murtagh (0-1), Paul McComiskey (1-4), John Clarke (0-3), Ronan Sexton and subs: Danny Hughes (0-1), Ambrose Rogers, for Stephen Kearney, Martin Clarke (2) and Benny Coulter.