By Shaun Casey

DOWN manager Conor Laverty has made one change to his starting team as they welcome Louth to Newry on Saturday. Down defeated Clare in the opening round of the All-Ireland series by 17-points.

Eugene Branagan didn’t start that game in Ennis two weeks ago but has been named at wing half forward this time around. Adam Crimmins, who kicked 0-3 the last day out, drops to the subs bench.

The Mourne County are eyeing up a second successive victory in the All-Ireland series and a possible standoff with Ulster rivals Monaghan for that top spot which would secure their place in the last eight.

Down lost to Louth in the league by three points and that defeat ultimately saw them drop out of Division Two. Revenge will be sweet if they can overturn the Leinster champions this weekend, who head into the match off the back of a six-point loss to Monaghan.

Down: Ronan Burns, Patrick McCarthy, Peter Fegan, Ceilum Doherty, Ryan Magill, Pierce Laverty, Miceal Rooney, Daniel Guinness, Ryan McEvoy, Danny Magill, Odhran Murdock, Eugene Branagan, James Guinness, Pat Havern, John McGeough. Subs: John O’Hare, Finn McElroy, Aaron McClements, Donal Scullion, Shay Millar, Adam Crimmins, Oisín Savage, Caolan Mooney, Finn Murdock, Patrick Brooks, Conor McCrickard.