Allianz Hurling League Division 2B: Down v Derry (tomorrow, Portaferry, 3pm)
IF you’re looking for Hurling League suspense then you’d best avert your eyes from Division 2B.
While nearly every division in both codes appear set for dramatic conclusions, the same can not be said for this particular division.
With one round of fixtures remaining, we already know that Leinster pair Meath and Wicklow will contest the final and that Connacht pair Mayo and Roscommon will meet in the relegation play-off. As a result, Ulster pair Down and Derry have absolutely nothing of note to play for when they meet in Portaferry tomorrow.
That brings with it both relief and regret. For Derry, given their recent struggles, securing their Division 2B status without the need to take something from St Patrick’s Park will please manager Collie McGurk.
His Down counterpart Martin Mallon will not be as happy about maintaining the status quo, though. It ensures a sixth consecutive season in the fourth tier for them, a real negative for a county that feels they should be operating at a higher level.
While they have been a whisker away from escaping in some of the previous five years, they can have little complaint about their guaranteed mid-table finish this time.
Their two matches against the top two resulted in 20-point (Meath) and 10-point (Wicklow) defeats – although both of those were away from home.
The main aim tomorrow will be a victory that, firstly, allows them to leap-frog the Oak Leafers into third position and, more crucially, gives them some momentum ahead of their Christy Ring opener with Roscommon on April 22.
Management will also be hoping for no silly red cards with three Down players dismissed in their four games so far.
Two of those, Eoghan Sands and Gareth Johnson, were in their last game against Wicklow so there will be even more pressure heaped on Danny Toner.
The Ballygalget man has accounted for 41 per cent of the side’s scores and Mallon will be hoping that the likes of Malachy Magee and Caolan Taggart can ease some of the scoring burden.
McGurk, meanwhile, has done a decent job of steadying the Derry ship after their double relegation from Division 2A and the Christy Ring Cup in 2016.
They started and finished strongly in their 3-16 to 0-12 win over Roscommon last time out, and their manager will be hoping that they can add a decent middle third tomorrow too.
Liam Hinphey made his first League appearance of the season in that match and they were also able to call on some of their Slaughtneil contingent for the first time this season.
McGurk may be further boosted by the return of Cuala brothers Cian and Naoise Waldron after their All-Ireland triumph on St Patrick’s Day.
Low-key should be the order of the day in Portaferry, a tune-up ahead of Championship season. Expect Down to have enough to come out on top here.
