Allianz Football League Two: Down v Galway (tomorrow, Pairc Esler, 3pm)
GIVEN their awful recent record against Cork, there is a growing feeling that Down must win against Galway tomorrow to have any chance of Division Two survival.
The Rebels have suffered a steady decline from the dizzy heights of their All-Ireland final win over Down seven years ago, but so too have the Mournemen.
Cork have won all of their five meetings since 2010 – one in Championship, four in Division One – with the average winning margin almost nine points.
Considering Peadar Healy’s men might also need something to secure their own Division Two status, Down don’t want to be heading to Pairc Ui Rinn next weekend requiring the win that might spare them a second consecutive relegation.
You could sense after last Saturday night’s defeat to Kildare that boss Eamonn Burns felt an opportunity had been missed.
Coming in on the back of two morale-boosting victories, and having convincingly seen off a Derry side who got the better of the Lilywhites just three weeks previous, there was cause for cautious optimism.
Second half goals from Kevin Slattery helped bring Down’s momentum to a shuddering halt, but in truth Kildare were the better start for most of the game.
Lessons must be learned ahead of Galway’s arrival in Newry or else a similar outcome looms.
After a bright start from Down, Kildare soon stopped any decent ball reaching lone forward Barry O’Hagan as the Lilywhites set about unlocking a packed red and black defence.
O’Hagan had enjoyed the freedom of Celtic Park at times in Down’s win over Derry, but after some early joy he found himself with David Hyland for company as captain Eoin Doyle swept effectively in front of him.
That was well before the end of the first half yet, beyond that point, Down appeared to have little idea how else to make any headway.
From an offensive point of view, Kildare pushed up on Michael Cunningham’s kick-outs, forcing the Castlewellan netminder to go long more often than not.
As a result, the midfield pair of Aidan Carr and Peter Turley struggled to get to grips with Kevin Feely and Tommy Moolick, whose success provided the platform for the likes of Niall Kelly, Daniel Flynn and substitute Slattery to do damage.
No doubt Kevin Walsh will have taken note and, given the strength of his centrefield pairing of Paul Conroy and Fiontan Ó Curraoin, the Galway boss will fancy following the Kildare template.
The Tribesmen play a high pressing game in order to force opposition goalkeepers to go long where Walsh would fancy the likes of Conroy and O Curraoin to compete with whoever the opposition puts up in competition.
Galway are the second highest scorers in Division Two behind Kildare and, as evidenced by the 5-15 they hit against Derry in Tuam last weekend, boast plenty of attacking talent.
Even without injured full-forward Damien Comer, Barry McHugh, Danny Cummins, Eamonn Brannigan and Thomas Flynn are all capable of getting scores, with the lightning quick Shane Walsh and Michael Lundy super options from the bench.
Yet Down are not without hope. While they have been putting up big scores, Galway have also conceded exactly the same amount as the Mournemen and are guilty of occasional lapses on concentration.
Despite being in contention for promotion, they have only played in fits and starts thus far – coming on strong after half-time against Cork and Fermanagh, starting well in the win over Clare and finishing like a house on fire against Derry.
Down have looked solid enough defensively in recent weeks, and are likely to be boosted by the return of full-back Gerard McGovern tomorrow afternoon.
Burns will also be hoping that captain Darren O’Hagan can shake off a leg injury to line out as they attempt to keep the Tribesmen at bay.
Down have made strides forward in recent weeks, but could be looking at a second straight defeat in Newry. If that is the case, a long trip to Cork lies ahead next weekend.
Down (probable): M Cunningham; R McAleenan, G McGovern, D O’Hagan; D O’Hanlon, C McGovern, C Mooney; A Carr, P Turley; K McKernan, C Maginn, J Murphy; S Millar, B O’Hagan, R Johnston
Galway: R Lavelle; L Burke, D Walsh, C Sweeney; G O’Donnell, G Bradshaw, J Heaney; P Conroy, F Ó Curraoin; T Flynn, M Daly, E Brannigan; G Sice, B McHugh, D Cummins
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