Down have been hit with four exits ahead of the start of their Tailteann Cup campaign.

The Mourne County will find out their opponents in the new competition on Monday, but James McCartan will be down a number of players who featured in the Ulster Championship quarter-final loss to Monaghan last month.

Kilcoo defender Ryan McEvoy, who started that 0-23 to 2-7 loss in Clones, has left the panel, as has Gerdie Collins who came off the bench.

Mayobridge pair Cory Quinn and goalkeeper Charlie Smyth have also departed.

The confirmed entrants in the new tier-two competition alongside Down are Antrim, Carlow, Cavan, Fermanagh, Laois, Leitrim, London, Longford, New York, Offaly, Sligo, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow.

Tipperary and/or Westmeath will also enter if they lose their provincial semi-finals this weekend.

New York automatically advance to the quarter-finals while the first-round draw, or preliminary rounds if required, will be made on a ‘north-south’ divide.

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