RETURNING defender Benny McArdle believes Down are capable of winning an Ulster title “in the next two or three years”, despite the Mourne County’s recent struggles.
Eamonn Burns’s side failed to pick up a single point en route to relegation from Division One of the National League, and face a daunting trip to Clones on Sunday to take on reigning Ulster champions Monaghan.
Few inside or outside the county are giving them much chance of springing an upset, but McArdle insists Down don’t have an inferiority complex coming up against any other county in Ulster.
And the versatile Annaclone clubman – whose return after almost a year sidelined with injury is a major boost for Burns – believes there are good days ahead for the Mournemen.
“I always think, every year I go into Championship, that Down are fit to win an Ulster title. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we could do that,” said the 29-year-old, who is in his ninth season at inter-county level.
“Year on year you come back and you’re looking at the best in Ulster – Down can definitely compete with that.
“I know in the last few years we haven’t always got some of the results we should have or wanted, but there’s definitely – at some stage – an Ulster title in this team, in the next two or three years.”
McArdle has been out of action since rupturing his Achilles tendon the week before Down's All-Ireland Qualifier defeat to Wexford last July, and admits he is wary of rushing back into action and suffering a relapse.
But after playing a full challenge game against Cork, as well as a handful of club outings, McArdle says he will be ready if called into action on Sunday afternoon.
He said: “It’s a frustrating process.
“You maybe take a step forward one day and a step back the next. But, just slowly, I’m getting there. Every day you go out there’s a bit less pain with it as well, so we’re getting there over time.
“These things take time, but time I don’t really have at this stage because we’re running in close to the game. Hopefully I can contribute in some way but at this stage I’m not sure what.
“I know one thing, when you’re playing county football you need to be 100 per cent fit. You can’t go into a game 90-95 or you will be shown up. Personally, if you’re asked to do a job, then the management obviously do feel you’re fit enough.
“A lot of the testing and recovery, I’ve hit my targets with that, so I would be pretty confident of going in to do a job if asked.”
Along with Darren O’Hagan, Kevin McKernan, Aidan Carr, Mark Poland and Donal O’Hare, McArdle is one of the survivors of the 2012 Ulster SFC semi-final when Down came from nine points back to pull off a remarkable win.
And, although the counties have enjoyed differing fortunes since that day – the Farneymen lifting two out of the last three Ulster titles – McArdle feels Down are capable of springing a surprise.
“Since then, of the two teams, probably Down have changed more,” he said.
“Monaghan have had a more stable unit over the past three or four years and that has shown. But every team goes through transition and hopefully this is the start of building for something bigger and better.
“We are going in as big underdogs, but we feel as if our 15, lining out against Monaghan’s, that we’re every bit as good and better than Monaghan.
“We’re looking towards a semi-final place at this stage.”
