Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup Section B: Down v Cavan (Wednesday, Pairc Esler, 7.30pm)
AFTER opening defeats to Ulster champions Derry, Down and Cavan lock horns in Newry knowing only victory will give them any chance of securing a place in this weekend’s Dr McKenna Cup semi-finals.
The Oak Leafs and north-west neighbours Donegal had claimed two of the three top spots, while the outcome of Wednesday night’s Brewster Park meeting between Fermanagh and Monaghan will determine who tops Section C.
However, having fielded ineligible teenager Finbarr Roarty in victory over Armagh, Donegal have since lost the two points awarded for that win – though they didn’t go to the Orchard County either.
As a result the race to finish as the best third-placed side, and move into the last four, is muddied further, with Down and Cavan among those harbouring hopes heading into the last round of group games.
And both will come into this clash heartened by aspects of their performance against Mickey Harte’s men. Perhaps Derry were suffering a bit of a hangover from that trip to Kingspan Breffni when they ran out at Celtic Park four days later, but it wasn’t until the second half that they finally started to click into gear.
However, credit for that first half no-show must also go to Down, who set their stall out from the opening ball, pressing their opponents high and remaining patient in possession before picking Derry off – far too easily for Harte’s liking on occasion.
James Guinness returned from his cruciate nightmare to curl over a superb early score, while Pat Havern gave impressive youngster Eoin McEvoy plenty to think about in that opening 35.
Peter Fegan has long been considered one of the best man-markers in the county, and stuck close to Shane McGuigan, holding him scoreless from play – though the Slaughtneil ace also won three frees and, on another night, could have improved his tally.
Jonny Flynn’s athleticism was a boost around the middle, though the star for Down in the first half was midfielder Odhran Murdock. How relieved Conor Laverty must be that the Burren man isn’t currently finding his way in the AFL amid interest from Down Under last year.
Aerial ability, eye for a pass and a score, even with Allstar Brendan Rogers for company, the 20-year-old continues to shine in county colours.
Miceal Rooney left the action early with a shoulder injury and it remains to be seen whether he features in Newry, while injury sidelines Danny Magill for the McKenna Cup, with Laverty hopeful the Burren speedster will be back in time for the start of the National League.
Eamon Brown and Ryan Magill (Ulster University), as well as Rostrevor’s Finn Murdock (St Mary’s UC), are ruled out due to Sigerson Cup commitments.
The returning Caolan Mooney played no part in Celtic Park, but could be involved on Wednesday.
John O’Hare is expected to continue in goals as regular number one Niall Kane recovers from injury, with 36-year-old Kevin Anderson – last involved in the Down panel during Laverty’s playing days – called up to the bench as back-up goalie on Saturday.
Like Laverty, Raymond Galligan will have taken plenty of encouragement from his first competitive outing as Breffni boss.
Although up against a Derry side without Gareth McKinless and the experienced Slaughneil trio of Rogers, McGuigan and Chrissy McKaigue from the start, their intensity in the tackle caused the Oak Leafs problems at times, either with their willingness to kick the ball for the counter or run right at the Derry defence.
Indeed Niall Carolan almost bagged a goal before half-time after slaloming through a sea of red jerseys, only to be denied by debutant goalkeeper Jack Cassidy.
However, Carolan is unlikely to feature against Down due to his Sigerson Cup commitments with Trinity University, who play University of Galway on Tuesday night, while Ryan Donohoe – who started against the Oak Leafs – is involved with DCU against Queen’s University at The Dub, also on Tuesday.
With experienced heads like Geaoid McKiernan and Marty Reilly unavailable to their former team-mate, Galligan has plenty to consider before Cavan’s Division Two campaign gets under way – and another game this weekend would be of huge benefit to both.
