New boss believes Down minor hurlers have great potential

DOWN u-17 joint-manager Sean Young believes that Down hurling is set for a very bright future following their Peadar Ó Liatháin Cup (Leinster B) Championship success.

With a young senior squad already making big strides, the former Portaferry boss feels that a real conveyor belt of talent is starting to develop with the u-17s set to supplement them in the coming years.

“That’s one of the main reasons why you are swayed to take on a role like this,” Young said after their 1-14 to 0-15 win over Meath in Navan.

“Coming from the club scene you know the talent that is there and it’s all about keeping the conveyor belt going and getting the thing stockpiled.

“I think there’s a group of coaches there that has come in over the years and we’ve a good base of coaches doing great work not only at county level but at club level too.”

Young, part of a management team with Barry McGrattan, Gerard Mallon, Francis Caldwell and Dermot Donnelly, said that another boost was the fact that the team was not dominated by the traditional big three – Ballycran, Ballygalget and Portaferry.

Nathan Kelly, Fionn McFall (both Kilclief), James Duggan (Newry Shamrocks), Jarlath McCollum, Cormac Blaney (both Bredagh), Fergal McManus (Liatroim) and Oisin Magone (Warrenpoint) were all part of the 27-man squad.

“That should push Down hurling on and it can only be a good thing,” Young continued.

“Even if you’re getting one or two out of each club to supplement the Ards contingent it will make a big difference.

“It’s what’s needed to drive us forward.”

Young, who believes his squad could have held their own at Leinster A level too, wants the GAA to look at ways to close the gap between u-17 and u-20 hurling.

“There is maybe a wee bit of a void now between u-17s and u-20s.

“We’ll sit down with county secretary Sean Og (McAteer) and discuss a way to keep these lads together.

“We had some players asking us was there a u-19s, they’re used to the two-year levels, so there is a gap there.”

By Niall McCoy