Downpatrick may be coming into Friday night’s Down SFC first-round clash with Ballyholland (Newcastle, 7.15pm) as underdogs, but they will approach the tie in a confident mood.
The RGU finished just a point behind neighbours Saul in second place in Division Two of the All-County League, but that was enough to earn them promotion to Division One for next season.
They will look to county star Caolan Mooney, who made a successful return from injury earlier this year and helped the county to All-Ireland success in the Tailteann Cup final win over Laois, having featured throughout the campaign.
Having won promotion from Division Two last year, Ballyholland finished comfortably in mid-table in Division One and will turn their attention to championship football, having reached the quarter-finals last year where they lost to Burren.
Last year, they were managed by former Down star Michael Walsh, but Ballyholland native Shane Mulholland is back in charge of his hometown club for the 2024 campaign.
The Harps also have players who have tasted success at national level this season. John McGovern was part of the Down squad that won the Tailteann Cup while his young brother Paul starred for the Mournemen when they won the All-Ireland minor Seamus Heaney Cup.
The Harps are a team with youthful vigour. As well as the McGovern siblings, Jamie Doran, who was part of the Down team that won the All-Ireland U20 B final - and has also starred in the soccer in the Irish League for Glenavon – and former Down U20 forward Seamus Loughran, spearhead a potent Ballyholland attack.
Downpatrick will have to rely on their experienced defence to combat their prolific opponents’ forward line.
Kevin Duffin’s side have inter-county experience in the form of Anthony Doherty and Gerard Collins, who were also in Conor Laverty’s panel at various points this year.
The RGU also reached the last eight in last year’s championship, where they lost to Clonduff.
