National Football League

Division Three

Offaly v Down

Sunday, Bord Na Mona O’Connor Park, 2.30pm

PADDY Tally has issued a stern warning to any Down fan that feels that promotion is a formality as they prepare for their final three league games.

The Mourne county may currently sit fifth in Division Three despite Saturday’s win over Longford but given various head-to-head scenarios and the fixtures yet to come, three wins from three would guarantee that they will be in the tier they are aiming for – and that refers to both league and championship.

Six points from six would be a difficult ask for any team in the National League, but there is no doubting that the fixtures are looking kind to them.

They start with a visit to Tullamore to face Offaly on Sunday before finishing off with games against Leitrim (h) and Louth (a). Undoubtedly, they will be warm favourites in all three.

Tally, however, is speaking from experience. Promotion looked a formality last season too but a round seven loss to the Wee county ruined the party.

“We are not silly enough to think like that,” said Tally.

“We were here last year with promotion in our hands and we didn’t take it.

“We were sitting in our last game with Louth at home to go up and we didn’t do it.”

Of the three remaining games, it would be a fair guess that Offaly away is the match that Tally is most wary of.

John Maughan’s side have enjoyed a good 2020 so far. They started with a run to the O’Byrne Cup final, losing out to Longford, and they have collected five points from their first four league games.

They made it back-to-back wins last weekend with an impressive eight-point win over Leitrim in Carrick-on-Shannon.

“We are very aware that it’s an Offaly team that are going really well at the moment,” Tally continued.

“It’ll be a very hard game so all we can do is prepare for it as well as we can…

“There are going to be more twists in this league before the thing is over. The leagues are very, very tight.”

Goals from Cory Quinn and James Guinness eventually helped Down to a 2-13 to 1-14 win over Longford on Saturday night.

The home side were absolutely coasting but a bad mix-up in defence allowed Liam Connerton in for a goal and a few quick Longford points left Down reeling as the game entered the final stages. Those two majors deservedly swung the result back their way but Tally was far from satisfied.

“I’m disappointed in the way we didn’t close the game out earlier.

“At times we looked very good but we made a horrible mistake for the goal and let Longford back into the game.

“We had to go and kick on again but, listen, the two goals were super. Two goals out of very little room.

“They showed the right spirit to keep coming back, it was good to get the win.

“When we were four up we were very comfortable and next thing we were four up, there was a six-point swing and we were two down.

“That was disappointing and at that stage we knew we needed something different and thankfully the lads came on and made a big contribution.”

The Galbally native said that sloppiness has been a constant in their matches this season, and it’s something that needs fixing if they are to move up into Division Two.

“Most of our games we are creating enough chances to win games, we’re not taking them,” said Tally.

“We’re turning balls over at vital times, a lot of silly mistakes and careless mistakes.

“It’s not for a lack of effort, the boys are trying so, so hard not to make them.”

Tally also took the opportunity to praise a pair of Burren players for their performances against Longford.

New vice-captain Donal O’Hare had an excellent final quarter when the game was in the balance while league debutant Liam Kerr was a thorn in Longford’s side all night.

The St Mary’s pair will likely have the chance to link up against next weekend in what is a huge match for the side. It should be a case of one down, two to go.

n.mccoy@gaeliclife.com