Season of hope

Season of hope

8 January 2025

DOWN’S footballers are stepping up their preparations ahead of a return to action at the end of the month.

Conor Laverty’s side are coming off the back of a successful 2024 campaign, where they clinched promotion to Division 2 of Allianz National League and  won the Tailteann Cup.

Down staved off dogged competition from Westmeath and Clare to take top spot in Division 3.

However, defeat came against Westmeath in the division final and while Down had already topped the table and secured promotion at that stage, they missed out on the title.

They put that behind them and went on to conquer Laois in the Tailteann final at Croke Park, winning by a narrow 0-14 to 2-6 margin.

Now in Division 2 Down will undoubtedly have to overcome a series of tough challenges if they are to replicate their form from last season.

They will look to get their campaign off to a flier when they travel to face Roscommon on Sunday, January 26.

Their opponents have got a point to prove following their relegation from the top division and enter the contest as the favourites for promotion.

Roscommon may be well-fancied to take the title, but Down do not lag very far behind.

They are highly rated amongst their competitors and while last term’s success will breed confidence, they are surrounded by other top sides in Monaghan and Cork.

Like Roscommon, Monaghan were ousted from Division 1, while Cork, a county that Down have All-Ireland history with, missed out on promotion to Armagh and Donegal.

Cavan, Louth, Meath and recent foes Westmeath make up the rest of the pack and if promotion comes close to the wire, Laverty’s men could have to reverse their fortunes, in the penultimate match, against the side that pipped them to the title.

Triumph in the Tailteann Cup also saw qualify for the All-Ireland series.

Looking further ahead to the coming season, Down have a home tie against Fermanagh in the quarter-finals of the Ulster Senior Championship. Victory would set up a semi-final clash with either Donegal or Derry.

Naturally, it is much too early to call a winner in any of these fixtures and Ulster notoriously known as the hardest provincial championship to win.

Nonetheless, the coming season is one of excitement and hope for Down as the squad resume their quest to put the county back on the footballing map.

Down’s opening National League game against Roscommon is scheduled for 2pm on Sunday, January 26, at Dr Hyde Park.