Allianz League Division Three: Down v Westmeath (tonight, 7pm, Páirc Esler)
IT was very close to being gone for Down, even this early.
Had Caolan Mooney not popped up in the final seconds of stoppage time to break Sligo hearts, then the promotion race would be one from which the Mournemen would look distinctly removed.
Given that only once since 2011 has a team won promotion from the third tier with a final points tally of less than 10, the potential value of that goal cannot be underestimated.
It has been a relatively quiet beginning to the Paddy Tally revolution, yet there were signs of promise last weekend. There wasn’t much glamour about anything in Collooney, but in the end that little bit of experience and grit saw Down through.
Theirs was a slightly harder-edged side than for the opening game with Laois, and their manager showed his own ruthlessness by tearing up the script after 15 minutes.
Sligo had hit them with an early ambush, landing 1-2 as the Ulster side scrambled against the ropes. Tally took young full-back Shay Murnin out of it, moved Darren O’Hagan to the edge of the square and brought Ryan Johnston in on the wing.
Before the half-hour, Donal O’Hare was on in place of Jerome Johnston. The Burren man looked sharp and he too had an impact that helped them cut the gap to two by the break. Daniel McCarthy’s introduction then helped at midfield.
It was as much grounded in the experience of the men that were being introduced, and yet they still went behind again in stoppage time before Mooney rescued it.
The next two weeks are pivotal for Down. Westmeath at home, Longford away. If promotion is a live ambition then you fancy that they’ll have to start with a stronger hand in Páirc Esler tonight.
Westmeath are a bigger, more powerful and more edgy unit than Sligo were. By all reports, their clash with Carlow last weekend wasn’t for the faint of heart.
Their new boss Jack Cooney served for two years under Rory Gallagher in Donegal, and his setup wouldn’t be all that dissimilar. They tried to suffocate Carlow in the middle third last weekend.
Kieran Martin played a roving role and ended up sent off on two bookings, but in attacking terms it was Ger Egan – who hit 0-9 – and the constantly dangerous James Dolan from wing-back that caused the Barrowsiders most strife.
John Heslin, having initially looked set for a limited involvement this year, has rejoined the Westmeath panel of late and is almost certain to play some part in Newry tonight.
He may not be parachuted in from the start but if he joins a sub bench off which they brought Luke Loughlin and Jamie Gonoud last week, Down will have to be wary of a late charge.
The latter is named to start tonight, the solitary change in place of Finbar Coyne, who was their goalscorer last weekend. Cooney has shuffled his charges on paper, with Sam Duncan named at 15 rather than midfield, but how that translates on the pitch remains to be seen.
Down will hope their own reserve options are enough. Connaire Harrison is still working his way back in, while Barry O’Hagan offers pace and energy as the game tires.
Expect that Ryan Johnston, who scored two points in a fine display from wing-back, will start this weekend, though his brother Jerome could be in a scrap with Donal O’Hare for a slot in the inside forward line.
Down are just that bit naturally lighter in the shoulders and if Westmeath bring the same hard edge as last weekend, Tally needs to have his men ready for that.
Westmeath are perhaps slightly fortunate to have three points having squeezed past Offaly and then come from four behind to get that draw with Carlow, but this is a different challenge from a youthful Sligo team.
Down’s fate will most likely depend on how many of their experienced men are on the pitch come the end of it. If they can reach double figures on that front, they could squeeze through.
THE TEAMS
Down: TBA
Westmeath: E Carberry; K Daly, R Wallace, B Sayeh; D Lynch, J Gonoud, J Dolan; D Corroon, N Mulligan; R O’Toole, C McCormack, G Egan; K Martin, J Halligan, S Duncan
Start your sporting weekend on the winning team.
Listen in to The Irish News WEEKENDER Sports Podcast featuring former GAA county players Benny Coulter and John Clarke in conversation with Irish News journalist Neil Loughran.
Listen in to the WEEKENDER for expert sports insight, news, analysis and.. maybe even the odd winning tip... up online from early evening every Friday
