Refreshed Down aim to stay on top of the table as they take on The Saffrons

​After a week’s hiatus, Down are back in Allianz League action this Sunday when they travel to Corrigan Park to take on Antrim in the third round of the competition.

While it’s been a successful campaign so far with two wins from two for the Mourne men, captain Pierce Laverty told the Newry Reporter after their last match – an emphatic 3-16 to 0-9 victory over Limerick in Pairc Esler – that the break was a welcome one.

“It definitely takes it's toll on the body, especially when you're playing 70 plus minutes every week,” said Laverty.

“Fatigue comes into play and the aches and niggles can be turned into something more so it's key to try to recover as much as you can between matches.

“When you go from club football into the National League those extra minutes feel like a lifetime sometimes. You just have to have the legs to do it and we're a very fit team.”

With the rebuilding of the team since Conor Laverty took charge last season there’s renewed faith in Down county football from players and supporters alike and with that the manager has a large panel to chose from. He’s been trying out plenty of new players as well as some older faces, including Annaclone’s Kevin Anderson who returned after a nine-year absence, taking up the unfamiliar position of netminder when he came on as a sub against Limerick.

“It was good to get Kevy in and give him minutes in the league,” said Laverty.

“Everybody needs to be used and to get some experience on the field. They might be called on at any stage so it's good to get those boys on the field.”

Another player who started against Limerick and stayed on the field until half-time was Rostevor’s Caolan Mooney who is on the way back from a cruciate ligament injury.

“It's good to get minutes in the bank. The likes of players like that coming back from injury, it's hard on them. He's put a lot of work in this past week and it's good to see him back out on the field.”

Burren’s Danny Magill is also on his way back from injury.

“Danny's been working behind the scenes. I don't know what the time frame is for Danny coming back but he's definitely working hard to get back on the field too,” said Laverty.

While Down top the Division 3 table on points difference with wins over Wicklow and Limerick, the Saffrons are also on maximum points with a 2-14 to 1-7 victory over Limerick in the first round and a narrow 2-5 to 1-7 win against Offaly in Round 2.

Dominic McEnhill is a player to watch out for, impressing against Limerick with a 1-6 tally, while Ronan Boyle also hit the net in horrendous conditions against Offaly. Down haven’t conceded a goal yet but were in danger of shipping three in Aughrim, something that the manager has been working on.

And although Andy McEntee’s men came out on top in their first two fixtures, they did let Offaly back in the game with a six-point lead dwindling to just one and were lucky to hang on for the win.

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