Down football team manager Conor Laverty is setting his sights on seeing his side concede as few goals as possible in the 2025 season.
This year, Down turned in some impressive performances but in other games their tendency to let in goals proved a setback.
That’s why Laverty has turned to Thomas ‘Postie’ Mallon to fill the goalkeeping coaching role with his county team squad following the departure of John Devine to fulfil a similar role with his native Tyrone.
In a lengthy playing career, Devine rendered outstanding service to his club Errigal Ciaran and to his county Tyrone and is now regarded as an invaluable acquisition for the Red Hands. And while he will have a big part to play with Malachy O’Rourke’s team, newcomer Mallon could do likewise with Down in helping to ensure that fewer goals are conceded.
Having won the Tailteann Cup this year — they beat Justin McNulty’s Laois in the Final — Down are now particularly keen to make an impact in the Ulster and All-Ireland Championships this year given that they have been unable to make their presence felt at a higher level of late.
They showed, though, that they are capable of catching the eye as they did in holding All-Ireland champions Armagh to a one-point win in this year’s Ulster Championship (0-13 to 2-6).
Marty Clarke, who gave magnificent service as a player to Down, will remain as manager Laverty’s right hand man which is a role he will also fulfil with south Armagh club Killeavy. It was after the club’s exit from the closing stages of the Armagh Senior Football Championship this year that Killeavy turned to their 2002 Armagh All-Ireland winning forward Steven McDonnell to take over the reins.
McDonnell proved himself to be one of the best forwards in the business during his playing career and is now keen to see his Killeavy club sample Championship success going forward.
Meanwhile, the return of veteran Gearoid McKiernan to the Cavan football squad is viewed as a substantial bonus by manager Raymond Galligan. McKiernan can play at midfield or in the attack and he will bring considerable experience to the table as Cavan bid to show a step up in form in Division Two of the League.