Down ease into the final round

By Shaun Casey

SIX wins from six games, it’s been a pretty positive National League campaign so far for Down, but they’ll want to keep that winning momentum going before they head into the Division Three league final.

Páirc Esler, Newry is the venue for their final round clash and Conor Laverty’s side will be keen to make it a seventh heaven when they welcome Laois, who aren’t clear of relegation just yet, up north.

Laois manager Justin McNulty will be fairly familiar with the trek, with the Mullaghbawn native growing up just a few miles out the road. He’ll have an interesting time on the sideline as well when he comes up against fellow 2002 All-Ireland winner Tony McEntee.

With a league final to look forward to and another outing at Croke Park, there’s never enough of them, Down could potentially take their foot off the accelerator and mix things up this weekend. Try things out when the pressure is off.

Some of their tactical initiatives have paid off throughout the campaign, such as the changing of position for Ceilum Doherty. He was their go-to man-marker in the last few seasons but is now pulling the strings from centre half forward.

His ability to get on the scoresheet was never in question, for club or county, even when he was positioned in the full back line, shadowing the opposition’s most dangerous player, but he’s been a constant threat up front this year.

And it’s been well documented that the Mourne men have more than enough firepower to contest with the very top sides in the country. Pat Havern is the leading light in that regard, but they are so much more than a one-man band.

Towering midfielder Odhran Murdock offers plenty going both directs when Daniel Guinness is another constant scorer from the half back line, and a real goal-getter too.

All in all, Laverty’s lads can play this whatever way they like. They know they’re in the league final and await the winners of Wexford and Westmeath, who lock horns in a straight shootout for the other spot in the decider.

The championship clash with reigning Anglo Celt holders and last year’s beaten All-Ireland finalists Donegal is on the horizon too and the Down management men have plenty of time to plot the downfall of Jim McGuinness’ men.

Sunday will be a case of getting the job done, without any casualties and moving on to headquarters were picking up some silverware will be the main objective.