Sport

Kevin McKernan happy with underdogs tag

Down captain Kevin McKernan feels that going to play the reigning Ulster champions in their own backyard might just be the very thing Down need.


Despite relegation from Division One of the National League without picking up even a solitary point, performances improved for Eamonn Burns’ new-look side the more the league went on.


The Mournemen travel to Clones on Sunday June 5 to take on Malachy O’Rourke’s side having been edged out by a couple of points at the same venue in February.


While Monaghan will go into the clash as overwhelming favourites to progress, McKernan thinks Down can use that to their advantage.


“There are very few easy games in Ulster and there are none harder than going to Monaghan and the Ulster champions’ back yard. But I think the fact they are champions gives us an edge to go there and cause an upset,” he says.


“It’s been a bit chop and change this year so far but, as the games have gone on the young lads have grown. It has been difficult but there is no better place to learn than against the likes of Dublin and Mayo and you know that’s the standard you have to get to and take into the Ulster Championship.”


Rather than focus on the harsh reality that Down looked somewhat out of their depth in the top flight of the league this year, the Burren clubman is looking to take as many positives as he can in the build-up to their provincial opener next month.


“We’re glad to be putting up decent scores. It was disappointing in the League when we hadn’t broken 10 points in a few games. But to go to Mayo, put in a decent performance and rack up 1-16, it was disappointing not to win a game after scoring that but there are definitely encouraging signs,” he feels.


“The performances against Dublin, Roscommon, Mayo and Monaghan, there were a lot of positives there and we’re not happy we didn’t grind out a win but there were harsh lessons learned. It’s been a difficult season so far but the Championship is a different ball game.”


Down had to make do without defender Brendan McArdle for the entirety of the League and then lost the Johnston brothers from Kilcoo – Jerome and Ryan – to serious injuries that will keep them out for the summer along with knee injury victim, goalkeeper Mickey Cunningham, and there were fears that McKernan would be the next on the casualty list for the county after he picked up an ankle ligament injury playing for Burren against Ballymartin last month.


However, he is aiming to be in the running for selection for the trip to Monaghan as the injury has cleared up.


“I’m doing well. It’s been three weeks now since I did it and I’m well on the road to recovery. We’re still five weeks out from the match so hopefully in the next week or two I’ll be back on the pitch. I’m looking forward to it. The timeframe is a wee bit tight but it’s looking good.


“There have been a catalogue of things and I think if any team was to lose five or six boys like that then they would be tough to replace,” said McKernan of Down’s injury list and those players who have opted out of the panel.


“The two Johnstons would have been a massive addition to this squad and we’ve lost Niall Madine and Caolan Mooney as well. You’re looking at young lads and thinking Gaelic football is massively important but these young lads have other things in their lives and unfortunately, it just didn’t feel right for them and you have to respect that.’’