Down squad named ahead of Sunday’s clash with champions Donegal

By Michael McMullan

DOWN have named their squad for Sunday’s Ulster Championship quarter-final with Donegal in O’Donnell Park.

Conor Laverty’s side added the league title to their promotion back to Division Three and look ahead to the championship.

There are three changes from their victory over Wexford in the league decider.

Paddy McCarthy comes in for Ryan Magill. Tom Close and Liam Kerr are named with John McGeough and Patrick Brooks dropping out.

McGeough is one of seven players to have started every game during the league.

It’s repeat of last year’s Ulster semi-final won by Donegal on the way to retaining the Anglo Celt Cup.

The winners will take on Armagh or Fermanagh in the semi-final but there is extra significance for Down.

The Mourne men need to reach an Ulster final to secure Sam Maguire football in the event of a team ranked below them in the league reaching a provincial final elsewhere.

DOWN
Ronan Burns
Peter Fegan
Pierce Laverty
Callum Rogers
Paddy McCarthy
Shane Annett
Daniel Guinness
Odhrán Murdock
Ryan McEvoy
Micéal Rooney
Ceilum Doherty
Tom Close
Adam Crimmins
Pat Havern
Liam Kerr
SUBS
John O’Hare
Patrick Brooks
John McGeough
Pearse McPolin
Finn McElroy
Ruairi O’Hare
Ross Carr
Eamon Brown
Jamie Doran
Ruairi McCormick
Barry O’Hagan

Check out our preview podcast with All-Ireland winner Niall Rowland looking ahead to the weekend’s action