Football

Experienced players return as Down GAA look to turn the tide against Meath

Sigerson Cup winner Kevin McKernan returns to the Down starting line-up for tonight's clash with Meath
Sigerson Cup winner Kevin McKernan returns to the Down starting line-up for tonight's clash with Meath Sigerson Cup winner Kevin McKernan returns to the Down starting line-up for tonight's clash with Meath

National Football League Division Two: Down v Meath (tonight, Pairc Esler, 7pm, live on eir Sport)


THERE was a time when anyone who dared to make a disparaging remark about Down's fortunes could be immediately silenced by a knowing smile, a hand held up with the fingers spread and a single word: ‘Five’.

Those five All-Ireland titles set the Mournemen apart in the north and it will be years before any of their Ulster rivals overhauls the record they jointly hold with Cavan. 

But defeats for the Mournemen are commonplace nowadays and after 14 on-the-trot in League and Championship, the banter has dried up - after all, you don’t like to kick a man when he’s down.

Things have changed quickly. Just two seasons ago, Meath travelled to Pairc Esler and won, but Down had the last laugh when they were promoted to Division One. You’d get short odds on the Royals repeating that result tonight and long odds on the Mournemen getting anywhere near a promotion challenge.

On current form, relegation seems more probable than possible for beleagured Down. Eamonn Burns’ men are desperately in need of a win and tonight, on home soil and live on TV against their old foes from Leinster would be the perfect time to get it.

Burns has beefed-up his squad with five changes and the return of some experienced players including St Mary’s Sigerson Cup winner Kevin McKernan who will be employed in a sweeper role. 

Kilcoo’s Ryan Johnston will also be in from the off while Peter Turley partners Aidan Carr at midfield and Conor Maginn and Darragh O'Hanlon also feature. Johnny Flynn drops to a bench that includes Alan Davidson and experienced duo Mark Poland and Paul Devlin who make the matchday squad for the first time. 

Down produced a decent first half against Fermanagh in their opener but were blown away after half-time when Pete McGrath’s well organised Ernemen rolled up their sleeves and ran away with the game. 

Clare did the same in the first half in Ennis a fortnight ago and led 2-7 to 0-3 at the interval.

To their credit, Down rallied in the second half and the match ended 2-11 to 0-11, but they were well beaten.

One player said this week that the squad was working hard in training.

“It’s hard to put your finger on what’s wrong,” he said.

“Every night in training there’s 30 boys going at it hammer-and-tongs, but when it comes to the matches we just don’t produce it.”

The Mournemen need to produce tonight against a Meath outfit that travels to Newry with one win out of two so far. 

Andy McEntee’s side lost their opener against Kildare, but still registered 16 points and followed that with 3-15 as they ran Derry ragged on home soil a fortnight ago. 

McEntee welcomes skipper Graham Reilly back tonight after he missed the Derry game because of St Colmcille’s appearance in the All-Ireland club final. 

Ruairi O Coileann comes in to the full-back line with Mickey Burke making way and dual star James Toher resumes his midfield partnership with Bryan Menton after lining out for the Meath hurlers last Sunday.

The returns of McKernan, Maginn, O'Hanlon, Turley and Ryan Johnston mean that Down have experienced leaders on the field and Burns will set his stall out, pack the defence and look to grind out a result.

The dark clouds will lift if Down can get a victory, but Meath have to start as favourites tonight. 

Down: M Reid; R McAleenan, G McGovern, D O'Hagan; D O'Hanlon, C McGovern, C Mooney; A Carr, P Turley; K McKernanm C Maginn, J Murphy; S Millar, B O'Hagan, R Johnston

Meath: P O'Rourke; D Keogan, C Gill, R O Coileann; W Carry, B Power, S McEntee; B Menton, J Toher; A Forde, C O'Sullivan, C O'Brien; G Reilly, B Sheridan, D Lenihan

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