Down selector Mickey Donnelly on this year’s All-Ireland series: ‘We’re here now and we want to make the best out of it’

AFTER years spent languishing in the Tailteann Cup, the boys in red and black were back with a bang in the Sam Maguire series.

Conor Laverty’s side romped to a 17-point success in Ennis and, although the tests only get harder from this point on, it gives them every chance of progressing to the knockout stage.

Goals from John McGeough, Daniel Guinness and the second half clincher from Caolan Mooney were among the highlights for the Mournemen who also had 10 points from Pat Havern.

• Down beat Clare convincingly and Cavan come back against Mayo in a good day for Ulster in the All-Ireland series
• Cavan full value for victory over Mayo as Paddy Lynch returns
• Fermanagh footballers back on track with win in Longford

“The subs all came in and made an impact so that’s all very encouraging and I think that’s a reflection of what we’ve done all year.

“We felt a wee bit aggrieved that we were relegated, we were just unlucky because most of our games this year have come down to the last play and that’s a reflection of the fact that the lads have played for 70 minutes.

“So, it’s encouraging that we played to the death.”

Patrick McCarthy of Down and Dermot Coughlan of Clare contest a kickout during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Clare and Down at Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chíosóg in Ennis, Clare. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Down missed an early goal chance but throughout the game played in sweltering heat they were competitive in midfield, well organised and disciplined in defence, pacey on the counter and potent in attack and Donnelly agreed that those factors augur well for them as this season unfolds.

“We’ve waited three years as a group to play in the All-Ireland series, to play at the top table,” said Donnelly.

“We’re here now and we want to make the best out of it.”

Losing in Ennis would have made it very difficult for Down to get out of this group but with two points on the board they now look forward to facing neighbours Louth in Newry on May 31 with confidence.

Down take on Leinster champions Louth in Newry in two weeks in their second All-Ireland group game

“Louth have already beaten us in the League,” said Donnelly.

“We’re aware of the quality they have. They won the Leinster Championship in front of 60,000-odd people and they have played a lot of big games.

“We’re just delighted to be looking ahead to a big game in Newry on Saturday week, we’re just delighted to be playing these types of games. We know we have a hell of a lot of work to do but if we can get anything out of Newry it would be fantastic.

“Louth will be on the crest of a wave, they’ll probably be bringing maybe three-quarters of the crowd and they’ll come with some bounce in their step.”

Meanwhile, Clare manager Peter Keane and his men face an uphill battle to get out of Group Three. After defeat in their only home fixture, the Bannermen now face a trip to Monaghan before they finish against Louth.

“The first half was difficult,” said Kerry native Keane.

“We never got to grips with the game early on and then we were trying to get back into it.

“Even at the start of that second half we had two great chances and the two of them went into the goalie’s hands.

“You need to be clawing at everything and we didn’t but Down were very impressive and they won well.”

Clare manager Peter Keane, formerly of his native county Kerry, said that his Banner side rued leaving themselves chasing the game early on.

The former Kingdom manager guided Clare to this year’s Munster final but he said that Down’s experience in Division Two had left them better prepared for the meeting.

“Down have been in Division Two this year, if you look at the scores for and against in Division Two they have been quite high so they’re very capable of putting a big score up,” he said.

“We were coming from a weaker position in Division Three and that matters when you go out into the battle.”