DOWN played Louth in a challenge match last weekend as Conor Laverty ran his eye over some of the promising youngsters hoping to force their way into his squad for next year.
Those who do will be brought in to add value to a panel that enjoyed some memorable moments throughout a promising 2023 season for Down. Right from the first game in the Dr McKenna Cup, there was an intensity about the Mournemen that had been missing and it continued through the League and into an Ulster Championship campaign that peaked with victory against Donegal.
Armagh stopped Down’s run at the semi-final but Laverty’s men regrouped and reached the Tailteann Cup decider. Ultimately the season ended with defeat and Down coach Declan Morgan says the men in red and black were glad to get back together.
“It’s been a long few months since the Tailteann final,” he said.
“Obviously our season ended in a bit of disappointment so we just wanted to get back in amongst the lads and, thank God, we’re there.
“We got a good draw in the McKenna Cup – Cavan are a great side, we had a couple of good battles with them last year (Cavan won in Division Three but Down avenged that defeat in the Tailteann Cup) and Derry with Mickey Harte so there’ll be a big crowd out and a lot of interest in it. It gets the juices flowing straight away.”
Down are likely to be without goalkeeper Charlie Smyth in the League since the Ulster U20 winner who made his senior debut last year is off to Indianapolis for the American Football NFL Draft. Apart from Smyth, last year’s squad have confirmed their availability.
“We are trialling players at the minute,” said Morgan.
“We will have to cut the squad down and name a panel for the McKenna Cup and you could see a few new faces in it. Nobody has stepped away, they’re all in there training away and that shows that they want to play for Down.
“We know there are footballers in the county, they showed flashes of it last year of a bit of potential there and a bit of progression and we want to build on that.
“We want the boys to go out and put in a shift every time they put on a Down jersey.
“People from any county want to see their team work hard and they want to see a bit of intensity and drive.
“Our supporters are no different and the lads, from what we can gather from being with them last year, have a great desire to play for Down and there’s a great pride in them to play for their county. They all want to do well.”
After just missing out on promotion last season Down begin their 2024 campaign with a trip to Oisin McConville’s Wicklow in Aughrim on January 29.
“You want to get promoted whatever division you’re in,” said Morgan.
“Every county will set their stall out at the start of the year – last season it was tough and this year it will be no different - there are a lot of good sides in there.
“You have Sligo and Wicklow up from Division Four. Wicklow are managed by Oisin and they have a Down man (Mark Doran) in coaching them as well so there’ll be no secrets there at all, they’ll know all about us so it’s going to be a tough League, no doubt about that.”
Perhaps the biggest change to the camp is a canny bit of coaching recruitment by Laverty. Ciaran Meenagh, the man who steadied the Derry ship and took them to an Ulster title and the brink of an All-Ireland final, has joined the management team.
“He’s been very friendly with Lav over the years,” explained Morgan.
“Mickey Donnelly and myself know him too and he’s come into a coaching panel where he knows people and we know him and we’re all on the same page.
“He’s made a great impact straight away. His record with Derry over the last few years speaks for itself and I don’t think it’s any secret how well Derry were coached. He was a massive part of that and our lads are really buying into what he’s saying and already he’s got a great relationship with them. It’s great to see.”
