Football

Down boss Eamonn Burns summons the spirit of 1994

Eamonn Burns believes Down can shock Monaghan in the Ulster SFC
Eamonn Burns believes Down can shock Monaghan in the Ulster SFC Eamonn Burns believes Down can shock Monaghan in the Ulster SFC

DOWN boss Eamonn Burns has pointed to one of the most famous wins in the Mourne County’s illustrious history as a reason to believe they can topple reigning Ulster champions Monaghan on June 5.

Burns was part of the Down side that travelled to Derry on May 29, 1994 to face the then All-Ireland champions at Celtic Park.

Heading into the belly of the beast, Pete McGrath’s men were big underdogs but, after an epic battle, Down ended the Oak Leafers’ title defence at the first hurdle and went on to lift Sam Maguire for a fifth time that September.

Burns’s relatively inexperienced side will need to summon something similarly special if they are to upset the odds in Clones in 10 days’ time, but the Mourne boss insists it can be done.

“It is what it is,” said the two-time All-Ireland winner at last night’s meet and greet session with fans at Pairc Esler.

“We are massive underdogs, but there’s always an expectation in Down that we can win games, that on any given Sunday they can perform, regardless of who they [the opposition] are.

“If you think back to ‘94 and my own playing career, we went to Celtic Park to play Derry and nobody thought Down was coming out of Celtic Park.

“The only people who thought that were the panel of players going to Derry that afternoon, but we knew we had a chance. It is a big task going to Clones, facing the Ulster champions, but we have a chance.”

Burns and his management team have kept a close eye on the club scene in Down during recent weeks, but he said the only player who has been added to the panel is county U21 goalkeeper Mark Reid, following the knee injury that ended Michael Cunningham’s season.

Captain Kevin McKernan has recovered from an ankle injury in time to face the Farneymen, while Benny McArdle - who has been sidelined since rupturing his Achilles tendon last July – played in a challenge match against Cork and is in contention for a starting spot.