Murdock a huge plus for Down as their Allianz League campaign begins, with Aussie Rules not on the cards for the time being

The 20-year-old Burren star, who was nominated as Player of the Year at the Down Club All-Star Awards ceremony on Saturday, played a key role in helping Down win two Ulster U20 Championships in the last three years and his talents transferred seamlessly to senior level when Conor Laverty’s side came close to promotion to Division 2 last season and reached the Tailteann Cup final where they were piped to the post by Meath in Croke Park.

Last September, Murdock was one of two Ulster players who participated in the Combine in Australia, whereby AFL clubs try out new talent with a view to offering players a professional contract.

"Odhran is staying and I'm on record as saying how important he is to this group,” Donnelly told the Newry Reporter.

"We're delighted that he's not away to Australia. I suppose, the bottom line is now, if we can get Down to be successful and hopefully move up the divisions and playing against the bigger teams, it's a more appealing challenge for the likes of Odhran and maybe he'll think, 'do you know what, I'm going to stay'.

"Odhran is very, very pivotal to all we do, We're not blessed with a pile of big men in Down unfortunately and I suppose, because of that and because of how talented the lad is, he's just a pivotal player in the group even though he's only 20 years of age.”

Donnelly is also happy that Down are on an upward trajectory in terms of young players coming through and putting their hands up to play for their county.

“A lot of that is down to the work Conor [Laverty] and Marty [Clarke] and Decky [Morgan] have done at under 20 level. Winning two U20 Ulster Championships in the last three years was a great return.”

For full interview and previews of both Down and Armagh’s Allianz Football League campaigns see the Newry Reporter out on Wednesday.