Down heavy favourites for Ulster derby victory

By Shaun Casey

DOWN will be aiming to extend their winning streak in Division Two when they welcome Ulster rivals Tyrone Ballycran on Sunday afternoon and take another massive leap towards promotion and Division One hurling.

Of the three games played so far in the campaign, Down have won all three, including two other Ulster derbies against Derry and Donegal. They also recorded an impressive three-point win over Kildare on the opening day. Their round four clash with Meath was postponed last weekend due to the weather so it’s been three weeks since the Mourne men were last in action, perhaps that gap could halt their momentum slightly.

Tyrone will be hoping to capitalise if that is the case although the Red Hands weren’t in action last weekend either. Plus, their form as been the polar opposite to Down’s as Tyrone have gained zero points from three games.

They’ve come out on the wrong end of their two Ulster derbies against Derry and Donegal while Meath only added to their woes the last day out. Another defeat here will leave Tyrone in an incredibly difficult situation at the bottom of the table.

Ronan Sheehan’s Mourne men won’t be taking their provincial foes lightly though and he won’t want his team to take their foot off the gas. They’re so close to making that huge step up to the top tier.

Down have been in terrific form in front of the posts throughout the campaign and have claimed seven goals in their three outings. That will surely make the Tyrone defence wince as they had yet to keep a clean sheet in the league.

They’ve had six different goal scorers, showing that can score from all angles. Only Ronan Beatty has nailed two three-pointers while Daithi Sands, Shea Pucci, Tim Prenter, Eoghan Sands and Chrissy Egan have all found the net as well.

Tom McGrattan has been leading the line in terms of the attacking end of things and has rattled off 0-27 across three games. The Portaferry man’s accuracy, particularly from frees, has been incredibly important.

Promotion is well within Down’s grasp, and they’ll be keen not to slip up this weekend when they’re expected to go all the way. Tyrone are fighting for their lives however and won’t fear travelling to Ballycran, but they’ll have to play out of their skins to really upset the odds.