DOWN manager Éamonn Burns has revealed Caolan Mooney informed him of his decision to quit the Mourne panel via text message.
The 23-year-old hadn’t featured for Down in this year’s National League campaign because of a hamstring injury. He returned to training with Down last week and it’s understood he played for his club Rostrevor that weekend.
But Mooney tweeted on Wednesday morning: "Just been approached and asked have I left the down panel the answer is simply yes I have (sic)." He later deleted the tweet.
A frustrated Burns told The Irish News he was disappointed with the former AFL player’s decision: “We trained [on Tuesday] night. He text me to let me know he was withdrawing from the panel. That’s as much as I know.
”It is what it is. It’s an amateur sport. If fellas decide to opt out, you have to respect their decision. We have worked very hard to get Caolan back on to the playing field, so it’s frustrating from that perspective.
“The physios worked very hard with him to get him back on the field. Last week was the first week he did a full session. He’ll be a loss surely, but if players decide they want to concentrate on other things, you can’t force them to play for Down.”
The news is another body blow to the county as they seek to salvage some pride from their remaining two Division One fixtures, having lost all five so far. Only a miracle will save them from relegation but their improved display against Dublin last weekend has lifted hopes ahead of the Ulster Championship, where they will face holders Monaghan in June.
“To be fair to the players, their morale and spirit have always been good. Training sessions have been good and positive," Burns added.
“Caolan’s decided that he doesn’t want to play any more this year, he wants to focus on club football. We’re going week-to-week. We have two games left and then there’s a break to the Championship.”
