Survival instinct must kick in for Jingo’s men

With quality outfits like Antrim and Wexford in Division Two this year, Down hurling manager Jim McKernan tells Eamonn O’Hara that standing still would be an achievement in itself for the Ardsmen...

Westmeath, winners of the Division Two final last season, having beaten a Down side weakened by injuries to star forward Paul Braniff and defensive anchor Simon Wilson, and losing finalists and Christy Ring champions Carlow (Westmeath were finalists in that competition also), are there, as are Munster minnows Kerry.
McKernan’s take on what he hopes they can realistically achieve in the National League makes solid sense once this new-look menu is digested. There might be a surprise here or there. He would be delighted if there is but, cutting to the chase, this season’s focus is about the importance of staying where they are.
“The priority this year for Down is to stay in Division Two for next year. It is critical we do that,” he says. “It is critical for the likes of the young guys who are really responding to the challenge in training. We are under no illusions as to how hard it is going to be.
“Ourselves and Kerry will find it quite difficult, so there is a huge challenge there for both ourselves and Kerry, while I would say also that Westmeath and Carlow, who we played quite well against in the League last year and in the Christy Ring, are a notch above us.”
The stand-out game for survival points is their last one, at Ballycran on April 19 against Kerry. Carlow and Westmeath are others they will have heightened expectations for. Of the relegated additions to the grouping, Laois would be viewed the weaker of the four.
“We have targeted some games that are critical for us, that we must get results from, but all we are trying to do this year is to continue with the development and integrating the young players onto the team,” said Jingo.
“We will concentrate on the performances with our prime objective this year to retain our status in Division Two.
“What we are looking to do is build on the performances. Without a doubt the players will be up for the games against the four big teams – Offaly, Antrim, Wexford and Laois – and compared to some of last season’s opposition in Division Two, there’s no doubt you have to hit the ground running.
“Given the teams we’re up against, we have to do that if we are to stand any chance of survival. I think it is a challenge, especially for the players, and for the management that we are really, really looking forward to.”
There will be a younger profile to the team this season. This is partly to do with the retirements of two of the county’s stalwart defenders, Stephen Murray and Liam Clarke.
“It is still work in progress,” says McKernan. “There is a transitional period going on with Down. There are still the steady reliable big names, however I have tapped into a number of the young guys coming through also. We are nursing them among. They are learning their trade and it’s about giving them limited exposure in different county games and trying to develop them.”
A few weeks ago he appointed Paul McKillen to the backroom team. McIntosh was involved last summer and Short, who has worked with several Gaelic, Rugby and Hockey squads, has received “a very good response” from the players, the manager said.

ONE vital factor, especially with a number of players “learning their trade,” will be the influence provided to the team, particularly in the finishing department, of last season’s Ulster captain Paul Braniff. If he can avoid adding to the litany of injury setbacks he’s had to deal with in the last number of years, survival prospects and those for Championship and Christy Ring will be greatly enhanced.
“Preparations are going well, we have on board who we want, know what way the clubs think now because that was a learning curve as well, and we’ve mapped out where we want to try and continue the improvement from last year and Paul Braniff is central to what we can deliver this season,” said McKernan.
“He dislocated his shoulder five minutes before the end of a challenge game against Dublin, which we only lost by one point in Dublin, the week before last season’s League semi-final against Westmeath. We were going very well until then. But, he’s a thoroughbred, a role model to young players, and he’s flying at the minute. Long may that continue.
“This year’s National League will have a few big learning curves, but we’re quite lucky in the respect that we have home games against Antrim, Wexford and Offaly. They will create a lot of interest.
“They are massive games. We know the task ahead is mammoth, but we’re looking forward to it,” said Jingo.
As for when the turf quickens, Derry are likely to stand between them and an Ulster final against Antrim, and they’ve drawn McGilligan’s outfit in the first round of the Christy Ring Cup qualifiers also.
“We will try to stay in every competition for as long as we can. The main objective is retaining Division Two status. Anything after that will be a bonus,” he added.

National Hurling League
Division 2
Down 1-11 Carlow 0-14, Down 2-22
Armagh 0-12, Meath 0-21 Down 2-17, Derry
2-19 Down 3-14, Down 2-16 London 0-13
Div 2 semi-final
Westmeath 2-24 Down 2-15

Ulster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final:
Down 4-16 London 1-16
Ulster SHC final:
Antrim 3-19 Down 2-15

Christy Ring Cup
Group 2B:
London 2-8 Down 1-15
Down 3-13 Carlow 0-19

Quarter-final: Derry 1-20 Down 0-18