OVERVIEW
THERE were no body language experts required to read Conor Laverty’s mood in the wake of last month’s Tailteann Cup final defeat to Meath.
The Mournemen came into that game on the sugary high of a spectacular semi-final lashing of Laois, while last eight victory over favourites Cavan at Kingspan Breffni represented a season-best performance.
Down had peaked at just the right time, and were ready to sign off on a first year under new management with a trophy - and a secured spot in next year’s All-Ireland Championship - in the last game of the campaign.
The nightmare of 2022 would be banished, and the county left with a warm, fuzzy feeling heading into the club championship.
That was until the Royals ripped up the script, their knack of bringing out the worst in Down – demonstrated during the round robin win at Parnell Park six weeks previous – to the fore once again.
A flukey goal put paid to a storming start for the Mournemen and, while Meath’s physicality and power off the bench turned the screw, Down exhibited so many of the shortcomings that dogged different stages of their campaign during a dreadful second half - too predictable, too panicky in possession, too prone to running into traffic in the face of an organised defence.
It was a doubly disappointing day given Down just missed out on promotion to Division Two during the League, consigning the Mournemen to another year of watching the big boys go toe-to-toe while they attempt to escape the Tailteann Cup (unless an Ulster final place is achieved).
Yet that day at Croke Park should not come to define a campaign that ultimately brought more positives than negatives.
After all, the previous year was as low as Down have been in many a decade. Relegation to Division Three was followed by limp Championship defeats to Monaghan and Cavan, all played out against a background of noise and conjecture as late appointment James McCartan struggled to steady an idling ship.
Worst of all, though, interest in the county’s fortunes had bottomed out. There may have been little to celebrate since the glory days of the early ’90s, but this was a new low.
Pairc Esler was more sparsely populated than ever, with around 100 there for Down’s last League game against Clare. The panel had become a revolving door as manager after manager struggled for continuity of selection.
This year, a lot of those wrongs have been put right. Culturally, there has been a significant shift. Eventually, that could prove to be much more important than short-term gain.
The work put in through the winter bonded the panel, while early results added to a growing sense that Down were on the right track. The League brought stirring comebacks against Antrim and Westmeath, the manner of those late rallies helping bring supporters along for the ride, believing that, while still a work in progress, this team was at least up for the fight.
Pairc Esler was packed for the Championship visit of Donegal when, even in the absence of Odhran Murdock – one of the star turns through the League - the Tir Chonaill were put to the sword. Armagh showed the distance still left to travel in the Ulster semi, but those more realistic supporters understood where the team was on its journey.
So where do they go from here? Rome wasn’t built in a day, and Laverty will be keen to refine Down’s approach during his second year at the helm, with alternative options also required when the running game runs aground.
The loss of the best forward in the county, Barry O’Hagan, early in the year left the Mournemen without that bit of pace and unpredictable edge against the best sides.
His return would be a boost, so too the likes of Caolan Mooney and Owen McCabe, while Carryduff’s Ronan Beatty could provide another option among the forward division.
In terms of continuity, landing a second Ulster U20 title in the space of three years bodes well for the future. The 2021 crop gifted the likes of Murdock, Charlie Smyth, Paddy McCarthy, Ryan Magill, Danny Magill, Shealan Johnston, Eamon Brown and Ruairi O’Hare, while Loughinisland livewire Oisin Savage and others have the potential to make the step up to senior in the near future.
Having come so close this year, promotion will be the priority once.
GRADE FOR THE YEAR: B
DOWN’S number one objective at the beginning of the year was to achieve promotion from Division Three – a narrow loss in Fermanagh disrupted momentum, before Cavan left the Mournemen relying on others.
It was a missed opportunity, and one they cannot afford to repeat next year.
Cavan and Fermanagh have gone up, Clare and Limerick come down and join the mix, with Sligo and Wicklow – under Armagh pair Tony McEntee and Oisin McConville – completing the new look third tier. Promotion definitely looks achievable.
Also crucial for Conor Laverty is ensuring continuity within the panel. This year saw players want to be involved with Down, proud to be a part of something exciting. While there was no promotion or Tailteann Cup to show for their efforts, the endeavours of 2023 shows the potential for development should everybody remain on board.
The amount of young talent emerging is also encouraging, with Danny Magill a revelation after coming into the fold at the end of the League, while Burren club-mates Murdock and Paddy McCarthy also excelled.
Ceilum Doherty was impressive throughout, Eugene Branagan is improving at county level, Daniel Guinness will have had a proper pre-season under his belt next year, while experienced heads like Anthony Doherty and Pat Havern demonstrated once more what they have to offer.
In short, 2023 could have been better, and the Tailteann Cup final ended the year on a bitter note, but there remains plenty for Down supporters to be cheerful about heading into 2024.
MANAGER STATUS
AFTER a tumultuous few years, there will be relief among Down fans that they can enjoy a quiet off season without worrying about any managerial upheaval.
Continuity is badly needed now after constant chopping and changing since Jim McCorry’s tenure came to an abrupt end just a year in, and Conor Laverty looks well placed to take the Mournemen into the future having also led Down to Ulster U20 titles in 2021 and 2023.
With Jim McGuinness returning to his native Donegal, Laverty might well delve into his big book of contacts to pull out another coaching alternative as Down bid to kick on.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: PIERCE LAVERTY
THE likes of Odhran Murdock and Pat Havern would definitely be in the conversation here, but Laverty gets the nod after his best year in county colours.
Namesake and new boss Conor Laverty ran the rule over his panel during some tough months before and after Christmas before deciding to hand the captaincy to the Saul man. It proved a wise call.
A strong character and a natural leader, Laverty was combative and consistent even as the peaks and troughs of Down’s campaign unfolded, keeping Jamie Brennan scoreless as Donegal were toppled on a memorable Ulster Championship afternoon in Newry.
