WHEN you’re fighting against relegation, the last thing you need is a visit from the reigning All-Ireland champions and the best team in Ireland by a distance.
But Down boss Eamonn Burns doesn’t see it that way. As a player, the two-time All-Ireland winner was capable of raising his game to new heights when bigger challenges presented themselves. And on Saturday night in Páirc Esler, he wants his beleaguered red-and-black outfit to do the same when Jim Gavin’s Dubs roll into town.
“When I was a player, I always wanted to play against the best players. That’s when you learn most, when you’re pitted against the guys who are top of their game,” said Burns.
“I know the players are looking forward to it, they’re looking forward to hosting the All-Ireland champions. Dublin always bring a bit of razzmatazz and we’re expecting a brave big crowd in Newry. Dublin have won four out of four and they’ve been able to squeeze themselves over the line in a couple of those games, and other games they’ve won quite comfortably. It’s going to be a tough battle for us, but we’re looking forward to it.”
And while Dublin can’t stop winning, Down just haven’t been able to kick that losing habit. The figures put up on the scoreboard has been the real problem for the Mourne men - 30 points from four games, an average of 7.5 points per game, does not make good reading. Contrast that with the Dubs, who have scored 5-51 so far, an average of 16.25 points per game.
Burns is well aware of the issues that have dogged his side thus far, but took some encouragement from last weekend’s nine-point defeat to Roscommon: “Our set up was a wee bit more solid at the back and through the midfield sector. We played well up front, although we didn’t get too many scores," he said.
“We would be more concerned if we weren’t creating the chances – we’re creating the chances and not taking them. Scoring six points is a low return over 70 minutes at any level, and you would expect to be scoring more.
“We played reasonably well for long periods in that game but we took wrong decisions when we got into the last third. If you can keep yourself in the game for long periods, confidence grows. That’s something for us to look at and work on, but the players are aware of all that.”
Down have three games to save their skin, starting in Newry on Saturday night. That is followed by away trips to Cork and Mayo, the counties who occupy the two spots ahead of the Mourne men at the bottom of Division One.
Few have given Burns’s side much of a chance of avoiding the drop straight back down to Division Two, but the Bryansford clubman says they are determined to keep up the fight: “There’s a bit of negativity outside the camp, but that wouldn’t be the case inside the camp,” he said.
“The players realise the situation they’re in, a win would give them a massive boost. But you can’t really do anything about what’s being written in the papers, and if you’re silly enough to read that as a player and believe it all, that’s up to you.
“You just face one task at a time, and if you get a result on Saturday night you’re up and running again. In terms of management, our enthusiasm and our zest for it hasn’t diminished at all with the results we’ve had, but for the players it would be a massive boost.”
