Down positivity ahead of League decider

Down head into Sunday’s Irish Daily Star National League Division 2 Final in a unfamiliar but very welcoming position of having won all their games so far in the league. They face the Cork second string side but after impressive showings in 2014 Down are hoping to join Derry in competing in the first division in 2015. There’s a positivity amongst the Down set up added by a more focused squad which means Down could be challenging for honours across various competitions this year.

Alistair McGilligan believes that a some tweaks in management and player attitudes has reaped huge benefits so far. ‘It’s been a very positive year so far and the players have bought into the squad and with Mickey McCullough coming in the management has been freshened up and a lot of players have been added to the squad. It’s been a long time since we have had a panel of 38 players who are prepared to put a big effort in. besides Sara Louise Carr we have been lucky with injuries and there’s big competition for places’.

Down have went through the league without many of their Liatroim Fontenoys and third level players allowing an extended squad to be looked at. Having players who recognise they will get opportunities to play means the response has been good so far according to McGilligan.  ‘There’s nothing better for the players than competitive games and getting this run in the league means players are getting the opportunity to show what they can do. This gives the management a feel for where we are at. The league initially was for trying out players but this Sunday will probably be the first time we will be going close to our first team and we’ll have many other options on the bench.

After a couple of years of near misses at Croke Park in Premier Junior Finals and inconsistent campaigns Down will certainly be worth watching this year.