DOWN will be aiming to continue their fine run of form when they face off against Laois in the Liberty Insurance Premier Junior All-Ireland Championship in Rathdowney tomorrow (2.30pm).
The sides clashed earlier in the season during the National League campaign with the Mourne girls taking a narrow 2-7 to 2-4 victory.
Down have been impressive in the Championship so far with comfortable wins over Westmeath and Roscommon ensuring them top spot in the group.
Captain Niamh Mallon provides Down with a constant threat with her direct running at opposition backlines and eye for a score.
Indeed, the Down forward line has plenty of experience in the form of the sharpshooting Catherine McGourty, Nicola Mallon and Sara Louise Carr, who has returned from injury. All three are more than capable of taking a score.
Down's half-forward, midfield and half-back lines work as a unit, with the likes of Paula Gribben, Karen McMullan and Fionnuala Carr pushing forward and dropping back when required. At the back, the Mourne girls can look to experienced players like Lisa McAliskey, Ciara McGovern and Karen Tinnelly to snuff out any threat posed to the Down goal.
Laois have talent throughout their squad in the form of Louise and Elaine Mahoney, Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald, Eimear Delaney and Sile Burke.
In the other Premier Junior game, Armagh will be hoping to get their first win of the campaign against Westmeath in Mullingar.
Ciara Donnelly and Colette McSorley will provide some firepower to the Armagh forward line. While the hard-working Bernie Murray and Niamh McGowan will give the Orchard side depth, driving them forward and covering in defence when necessary.
Westmeath will look to the likes of Dinah Loughlin, Mairead McCormack, Caitriona Murtagh and Denise McGrath as they target back- to-back wins.