SHAY Millar fully expects some of Down’s stars of 2017 to be “marked men” heading into this season’s National Football League campaign.
The Glenn man was one of the surprise packets in last year’s Championship alongside full-forward Connaire Harrison.
Millar and Harrison appear to be continuing where they left off last season with both men catching the eye in Down’s fine McKenna Cup win over Ulster University in Burren last Sunday.
After collecting his man-of-the-match award against the students, Millar said: “Obviously some players came in under the radar a bit last year – the likes of Connaire Harrison – so we’ll be marked men this year.
“It’ll be tougher but I think if we’re looking to progress we all need to step up and do more than what we did last year to go further again.”
Despite an excellent first season with the Down seniors, Millar insisted the step up was by no means easy but already feels more at home in 2018.
“Last year it was hard to get used to the lifestyle. I was coming from club football, obviously, so there were extra training sessions, the weights and the way your diet has to be.
“I thought I was a bit anxious on the ball last year and I didn’t how I was going to play, or if I was up to the level, but I feel more confidence in myself now.
“[Last year] I didn’t want to make any major mistakes and I was trying to affect the game the way I know I can. But I’m definitely more confident going into this year and hopefully fingers crossed it goes well again.”
Millar says he has no advice for his younger brother, Ronan, who has joined the senior ranks and posted two encouraging displays in the McKenna Cup against Armagh and Derry.
The younger Millar, a corner-forward and reliable free-taker, is another interesting attacking option for manager Eamonn Burns as he looks ahead to their Division Two campaign.
“I’ve no advice for him, not at all,” smiled the elder Millar.
“I was in the same position as him last year and he’s handled it alright. Against Armagh he showed what he can do and he’s probably better feet than I do.”
The modest wing-forward was probably selling his own shooting ability short after firing over three points from play against Ulster University.
There is much more to Millar than winning breaking ball and covering every blade of grass every day he goes out onto a football field.
His second of three points against UU showed that his scoring ability will be crucial to Down this year.
At the restart, he shifted the ball onto his weaker left foot and let fly from distance to put Down further ahead in their dead rubber encounter with UU.
And despite the losses of Mark Poland and Aidan Carr [both retired] and the unavailability of Joe Murphy, Conall McGovern and Cathal Magee, Millar is very happy with the strength of the Mourne panel this year.
Downpatrick duo Anthony Doherty and Conor McGrady have performed well in the McKenna Cup, while Aaron Morgan and Conor Poland looked very assured in midfield last weekend.
“We were discussing that during the week – the panel is strong, as strong as it’s been in a few years,” said Millar.
“In every position there are men fighting for the spot – at least two people for each position. We’re going well and we’re confident enough going into the League.
“We had a hard month’s training in December and a few challenge games so I feel in good enough shape at this time of year. We needed that win [against Ulster University] after suffering two defeats [to Armagh and Derry] so we’re happy enough going into the first game of the League against Louth [on January 28].”
