By Niall Gartland

DOWN vice-captain Erin Sands recognises that they’ll need to produce something special if they’re to get their All-Ireland Intermediate Championship campaign off to a winning start.

The Down ladies host Cavan this Saturday afternoon – the very same team that recently achieved promotion to the top flight for the first time in the county’s history.

Nor does Sands need reminding of what transpired the last time these two counties met – they overran Down at Omagh, scoring six goals in a one-sided decider. It’s fair to say that Down are underdogs then.

Sands said: “We know from last year how strong a team Cavan are and the quality they have throughout their squad. We definitely know how strong they are. We know how well we’ll need to play because they’re operating at a very good level.

“There are only three teams, including ourselves, in the group, so we’re really hoping to get a win. Our next game is Roscommon and we’ve played them already this year. We beat them towards the start of the league. I think it’s good to come up against teams you’ve already played because you have an idea of what to expect.”

On that note, Down enjoyed a productive enough Division Three campaign but ultimately fell narrowly short in the race for promotion. Subsequently they lost to Monaghan in the Ulster Intermediate Championship, but they’ve been playing well and putting in the hard yards on the training pitch.

“Yeah, I think we were a bit disappointed not to get promoted, but we do know we have it in us and we know we have the ability.

“We built up a good bit of momentum at the start of the year and training has progressed well. Sessions are getting tougher now as we prepare for the All-Ireland stages.”

Sands was part of the Down team that landed All-Ireland Junior honours three years ago, but there have been plenty of changes in the meantime, particularly on the personnel front. She has every confidence in the younger players coming through the ranks though.

“There are a lot of new girls in the squad. Thinking back to the team that won the All-Ireland, there was Natasha Ferris, Orla Boyle, Orla Swail, Natalie McKibbin, and Amy McGivern was in goals. None of those girls are playing now.

“There are a lot of younger girls coming in as well. We’re a young enough team, but there are still experienced players there too. Some girls have moved on, getting married and having babies.

I’d say there’s a really good blend of players. They’re all different types of players, but they’re all good in their own way. It’s great to see the young girls coming through. Wee Cara Donnelly has come on a few times and has definitely made an impact on games. You like to see that when they get their chance on the pitch.”