By Shaun Casey

DEFENDING All-Ireland U-20 B Hurling champions Down put their title on the line this weekend when they face off against provincial rivals Tyrone, at Kingspan Breffni Park, and there’s been an Ulster theme to the campaign for Connor O’Prey’s side.

The Mourne men saw off Donegal with seven-points to spare in the quarter-final before earning a five-point win over Derry in the semi-final. Now it’s Tyrone that stand between them and a third ever All-Ireland crown at this grade.

Having first claimed the Richie McElligott Cup in 2022, beating Roscommon in the final, Down backed up that success in 2024 with another decider win over the Rossies. Now, it’s about performing on the big day to retain that title.

“We played Armagh last year and the year before that we had Armagh and Derry in the quarters and semis, so we always seem to get the other Ulster teams by pure coincidence,” said Portaferry clubman O’Prey.

“We just prepare for each team regardless of where they’re from and hope that if it is a team from Ulster, you might be able to do a wee bit more research on them.”

While Down head into the contest as the defending champions, it’s a new look team to the side that triumphed in Croke Park last year.

That turnover of player has given others a chance to grasp a starting jersey,

“There’s been a lot of changes to the team that played last year,” added O’Prey. “Obviously there are boys that moved on because they’re too old and others that could have played that took themselves off the panel.

“That meant that others took their chances when they came in this year so it’s a good bit different in terms of the team, but we have 35 lads in our panel, albeit that we have a few injuries, but the numbers are still big.

“The commitment throughout the year has been excellent, we’ve been getting 28 out every night training so the preparations have been done and we’re looking forward to Saturday now.”

While collecting silverware is the goal at the start of every season, bringing players through to wear the red and black at senior level is the main objective. “I’ll judge my success during my period based on how many players I can get graduated to the senior panel.

“I think that’s how you have to look at it. Yes, if you win something along the way, it makes that particular time a bit more special but in the long run, I’ll very much judge myself on how many players go up.

“Last year we had four lads that trained with the seniors. This year we have different four and that has given those four the platform to go and play for their senior clubs at club level and then get the call up to the senior county panel.

“That’s one of the best things that came out of last year, that we were able to graduate another four players up into the senior squad.”