Allianz National Hurling League Division 2A: Down v Derry (Sunday, Ballycran, 1pm)
THIS game would have been ringed in the calendar the day the National League fixtures were released – if not for Down, then almost certainly for Derry. And here it is, make or break, winner takes it all, whatever cliché you want to throw at it, this one is huge for both counties.
With Derry travelling to Carlow on the last day, and Down away to Kerry, victory on Sunday will see one of those Ulster rivals safe if it goes to the head to head record.
After topping Division 2A last year, the Ardsmen had greater reason to believe survival could be sorted out before the teams take to the field at McKenna Park in Ballycran.
But a combination of factors has led to them entering the last chance saloon. For a start, the absence of Bredagh midfielder Donal Hughes, the Sands brothers, Eoghan and Daithi, allied to the retirement of Ballycran playmaker Conor Woods, has tested the depth of the Down panel.
The narrow victories in close-fought games that went their way last year have gone the other this time around, with Offaly and Kildare both edging across the line. The Carlow game last time out was different - a rare blemish and a rare beating for a side that seldom gives too much ground.
“We’ve had very few of those performances over the past four years, but those things happen too – sometimes you get days like that,” said boss Ronan Sheehan.
“You saw Wexford against Clare, even Man United against Liverpool… games sometimes take on a life of their own and things work away from you.
“The second half was far better and gives us something to build on heading into the Derry game. Every time it’s been put up to this group of players they’ve responded, so we’re confident we can perform on Sunday and come out the right side of the result.”
And the Newry man insists it is imperative that his side keep the free count down, or they will be punished by Derry captain Cormac O’Doherty.
“The reality is Derry have tended to get a lot of frees and score a lot of frees so far in the League,” he said, “so our discipline’s going to have to be good, because Cormac O’Doherty won’t miss.”
Down lost defender Darragh Mallon to concussion in the Carlow game, and he is unavailable on Sunday. However, Daithi Sands recently returned from America and could play some part, while Declan McCartney is back in the fold after missing the Kildare and Carlow games.
Finn Turpin and Tom McGrattan were only available off the bench against the Barrowsiders, having played for the county U20s against Derry the day before, but could be called upon again from the start on Sunday.
The Oak Leafs, meanwhile, have shown steady improvement even in defeat. Having waited so long to escape the clutches of Division 2B, they were under no illusions about the size of the challenge that lay ahead.
Throw in the fact manager Johnny McGarvey only came into the job at the start of the year, with the Lavey man unable to call upon key men such as Slaughtneil’s Brian Cassidy and Gerald Bradley and the Kevin Lynch’s pair of Odhran McKeever and Conor Kelly.
Reese McSorley is the only injury concern for a game that comes less than 24 hours after the Oak Leaf U20s meet Antrim in Saturday afternoon’s Ulster final at Owenbeg. Like the Ardsmen, they know exactly what is at stake in Ballycran.
And, after mixing it with the likes of Kerry, Offaly, Carlow and high-flying Kildare, the familiarity of a meeting with old foes Down may have been viewed as the greatest opportunity to secure the points that might keep them up.
“We are getting better, we are progressing, but we have to start taking that step,” said Slaughtneil ace O’Doherty.
“Yes it’s a step up, but we’re competitive, we still want to get wins and points on the board. Ultimately the aim is to stay in 2A because you want to be testing yourself at this level. It’s been the aim from the start of the year, where we get those points is irrelevant, as long as we stay up.”
Elsewhere, Kildare and Offaly bid to hold on to the top spots before their meeting on the final weekend of Division 2A action.
The Lilywhites, who occupy first place on scoring difference, welcome Kerry to Newbridge , with Offaly up against Carlow at O’Connor Park. Both games take place at 2pm on Saturday afternoon.
