Sport

Danny Hughes: Darker days could be around the corner unless Down slide is addressed

James McCartan's Down side slipped out of Division Two at the weekend, relegated following defeat in Cork. Picture by Philip Walsh
James McCartan's Down side slipped out of Division Two at the weekend, relegated following defeat in Cork. Picture by Philip Walsh James McCartan's Down side slipped out of Division Two at the weekend, relegated following defeat in Cork. Picture by Philip Walsh

I WILL give you a reason why Down are where they are. Last winter a development squad mentor, involved with county underage teams, requested that players within the squad collectively train in S&C and skills.

The manager will secure the venue, secure the necessary funding and co-ordinate all sessions personally.

This was deemed by the decision-makers in Down as ‘unnecessary’, despite the fact the county wouldn’t be asked for a thing. This is just one example - there are many more.

In many ways I gave up my life for Down, and I recall at times when my mum was dying of cancer, I prioritised county training and matches. I didn’t do this under duress or for thanks; I did it because I wanted to.

Across many counties and indeed clubs, players will identify with that sort of commitment. No matter how bad things are in the background, there is always the GAA.

I don’t regret one minute. There were tough times and hard roads. Elite sport means being able to take criticism from supporters, ex-players and even neutrals during an entire career which brought more losses than wins.

A large part of a sporting journey is character building and to get to the top you need to be thick-skinned to survive and come out fighting. When you accept the county jersey, the pressure of wearing that famous red and black strip, you accept that every day won’t be a bed of roses.

The criticism and hard days can make or break you as a player. There are individuals who will stand and fight and there are some who will run.

It was my club, Saval, who made me the player I was. To a lesser extent, my progress was also down to my primary and secondary school influences in sport within the Abbey, Newry.

It was the coaches and managers at club and school level who made me what I was and what I became.

While Down was very much the Promised Land, there was no structure at that time to help develop me, or many of my peers, except if chosen at minor level, normally reserved for those turned 17.

Structurally, Down offered nothing to our development. Slip through that minor net and Down still had no mechanism to help you become a senior player.

For example, using the 1999 minor team that I missed out on as an example – only two players on that winning team started the All-Ireland final in 2010, Benny Coulter and John Clarke.

Simply put, there is no conveyor belt of talent facilitated in Down; no consistency, neither back then or now. The entire operation is one of chance. We are a shambles at administrative level.

James McCartan and his management team have been handed the responsibility to oversee the consequences of what has gone before. I feel hugely sorry for the players.

Many are missing out on some of the best footballing years and memories of their life, missing out on potential success, because they are unable to compete.

There are too many roadblocks outside of their control to make a difference– to be fair they just want to get on with the business of playing games. I have no vested interest in tickets, nor a seat on the county board or a nice meal or the prestige of being a board member. I wouldn’t last the length of a meeting.

I want things to be done properly, done so that Down have a chance in the future. I see honour and integrity in speaking up when others stay silent. Down patrons have stayed silent for a long time.

I view dropping into the Tailteann Cup football as a disaster. But I see it also as a clear sign of how Down have fallen behind other counties, both on and off the field. What chance have we given James McCartan, Paddy Tally, Eamonn Burns (RIP) or, in his brief tenure, Jim McCorry? None.

We are on a downward trajectory and this could spiral further. I fear the race to the bottom has not yet entered its final straight.

McCURRY COMMENTS REFRESHING - BUT A SUBS' LIFE IS FAR FROM EASY

TYRONE did enough to beat Mayo last weekend and give themselves a chance of surviving the drop.

I would say that the patrons of Tyrone enjoyed the win, but will also be slightly concerned that they have yet to return to anything close to last year’s form.

Red Hands fans will be also taking note of Darren McCurry’s recent interview with the BBC’s Thomas Niblock and Oisin McConville.

I applaud McCurry speaking his mind, communicating emotions and opinions on his life and football career thus far.

His feelings toward Mickey Harte’s management may have raised a few eyebrows but it is refreshing to see a player give an honest opinion when so many others these days opt to take the non-controversial party line.

McCurry’s take on players opting off the panel is also interesting - he pulled no punches. As a first 15 player, it is easy to forget that the mental fortitude required of a substitute is probably even greater than those guaranteed a start.

A player could be giving the exact same level of commitment as any other yet find themselves - through form, injury or tactics - with no guarantee of playing any part. That can be a tough space to occupy, and the mental struggle week to week can take a toll.

For many the price is too much to pay. For every Kevin McManamon, the ultimate super-sub, there are so many others who cannot reconcile themselves to a career on the bench. With an All-Ireland medal in the pocket, perhaps their race is then run.

For McCurry it’s important to retain the respect of your playing colleagues and understand their individuality, as it is in later years this respect will be their bond - not medals.