Hurling & Camogie

Down hurlers intend to put poor start to League behind them against Roscommon

Gareth 'Magic' Johnston has come out of retirement and will see so action against Roscommon
Gareth 'Magic' Johnston has come out of retirement and will see so action against Roscommon Gareth 'Magic' Johnston has come out of retirement and will see so action against Roscommon

Allianz Hurling League Division 2B: Down v Roscommon (tomorrow, Ballycran, 12.30pm)

By Andy Watters

DOWN can put a rude-awakening to the new League season behind them when they host fellow early strugglers Roscommon in Ballycran tomorrow.

Martin Mallon’s Ardsmen returned home from Navan last Sunday bruised and dazed after Meath smashed four goals past them to win by 20 points.

Down were some way short of full strength but the defeat should certainly have focussed the players’ minds. Mallon and co-managers Paul Coulter and Danny Savage have made five changes for the visit of a Rossies’ side that won Division 3A last year but also lost heavily last weekend; 2-17 to 0-7 at the hands of Wicklow.

Into the starting line-up come Johnny McManus, James McGrath, Conor Woods, Conor O’Prey and former dual player Malachy Magee who will concentrate on hurling this year. Meanwhile, Gareth ‘Magic’ Johnston will see some action after coming out of retirement.

“It wasn’t a big surprise last Sunday, Meath have improved big-time and we were short,” said Mallon.

Down lost full-back Conor O’Neill to a hamstring injury after five minutes last Sunday and were also without Andy Bell (ill), James McGrath and Conor Woods (suspended) and Johnny McManus who was unavailable due to work commitments.

“They are big players and they’re all available for us this week bar Conor O’Neill so we’re a lot stronger,” said Mallon.

“We need two points, we need to get up-and-running and we need to go unbeaten to the end of the League to even challenge for a play-off place and that’s our goal. We want to win this game, get points on the board and get moving forward again. Our League starts on Sunday really.”

Down had six points to spare when they saw off Meath in 2016, but the Royal county turned the tables in spectacular fashion at Pairc Tailteann last Sunday.

A goal from Kevin Keena after 30 seconds set the tone and although Down rallied and got back into the game after Danny Toner hit back, Sean Quigley’s 27th-minute major underlined the home side’s superiority on the day. Adam Gannon added a third goal before the break and Adam Gannon’s fourth put the result beyond any doubt in the second half.

“We found out a lot about where we’re at,” said Mallon.

“If we can pick up two points against Roscommon we have two weeks before we play Mayo and we’ll look at getting boys fit. Gareth Johnson has come back into the picture and he’s working hard at the minute so we’re adding as we go along.

“Gareth is a long way off being fit but he’ll get a run-out on Sunday and he gives us a presence in the forward line that we haven’t got.

“He’s a big plus but we can’t say a word about the players. There was 27 at training on Thursday night, there’s no crap going on. They accept that there had to be changes and they accept the team that’s out.

“We’re happy with where we’re at but they need to step up a bit on Sunday and they know that.”

Like Mallon says: “The League starts on Sunday” for Down.

The Ardsmen have lost just once at home in the League (against Mayo last year) in the past three seasons and should get their season up-and-running against a Rossies side that is still finding its feet at this level.

Down: S Keith; J McManus, M Hughes, S Ennis; J McGrath, C Woods, M Ennis, C O’Prey, D McManus; C Mageean, C Taggart, M Magee; E Sands, C Bailie, D Toner

Roscommon: TBC

Allianz: for more information visit www.allianz.ie