Laverty announces Down team for Wicklow visit

Conor Laverty has named his Down panel for Saturday’s Tailteann Cup quarter-final clash with Wicklow. The Mourne men reached the final of the Tailteann Cup last season but lost out to Meath at Croke Park.

They will enjoy home advantage this time around however as they welcome Oisin McConville’s side to Pairc Esler, a curtain raiser with Derry’s winner takes all clash with Westmeath.

Down breezed through the group, beating Limerick, London and Offaly to reach the last eight while Wicklow had to see off Leitrim in last week’s preliminary quarter-final.

Down fielded a weakened side for their last outing against Offaly, which was a dead rubber, but there’s a much stronger look to the name named this weekend.

Ryan Johnston, Oisin Savage and Pat Havern are the main men in attack while Odhran Murdock has continued to progress at midfield. Caolan Mooney, Liam Kerr, Ceilum Doherty and Ryan Magill will all be keen to make an impact off the bench.

Down: John O’Hare, Peter Fegan, Ryan McEvoy, Pierce Laverty, Miceal Rooney, Daniel Guinness, Shealan Johnston, Jonny Flynn, Odhran Murdock, Danny Magill, James McGuinness, Ryan Johnston, Oisin Savage, Pat Havern, Conor McCrickard.

Subs: Kevin Anderson, Finn McElroy, Paddy McCarthy, Ryan Magill, Shane Annett, Caolan Mooney, Liam Kerr, Ceilum Doherty, John McGovern, Gareth McKibben, Eamonn Brown.

Check out the latest podcast as the Gaelic Life team look ahead to a weekend of Sam Maguire and Tailteann Cup action.