DOWN are set to be without 2018 captain Niall McParland for the majority of next year’s campaign as he is due to take up a teaching post in Qatar.
Speaking to the Newry Reporter, the Glenn man said that he would be out of the country until next June, ruling him out of the Mourne county’s Division Three campaign and the start of their Championship season too.
Alan O'Neill: Down will feel Niall McParland loss
“It definitely wasn’t an easy decision to make,” said McParland. “It was a long and hard one, but when I weighed everything up I have to make money somewhere along the line.
“I massively enjoyed playing for Down this year and it was an honour being captain, but I just felt it was time to step aside and let some of the other boys at it.”
McParland also revealed that he would like to see Steven Poacher and Paddy Tally seriously considered as possible replacements for Eamonn Burns, who stepped down as manager at the end of last season.
He is the latest player to go on record giving his view with Kevin McKernan telling The Irish News last week that Tally would be a great addition for the county.
“It would be a massive coup for the county to get him because his record speaks for itself,” he said.
Darren O’Hagan, meanwhile, announced his preference for Poacher in another media outlet.
