When Down took delivery of the Tailteann Cup last summer, it reinforced the belief in the side that they can scale another peak this year.
But while the Mournemen terminated their county’s trophy famine, they also set their sights higher for 2025.
While retaining their place in Division Two of the Allianz League will be a prime goal, Conor Laverty’s troops can certainly entertain aspirations in relation to the capture of the Ulster Championship title
It was a case of so near yet so far for the team in 2024 when they were only edged out of the provincial Championship by the narrowest margins — 0-13 to 2-6 — by an Armagh side that went on to land their second All-Ireland title.
Odhran Murdock’s influence will be key to Down’s prospects
The upsurge in Down’s fortunes was welcomed within the county with 1991 All-Ireland winning defender Brendan McKernan leading the plaudits while at the same time sounding a warning note in relation to the 2025 Championship season in particular.
“I think Down’s immediate goal will be to retain their place in Division Two of the League,” insists McKernan, whose son Kevin has given outstanding service to the county. “I think the team’s handicap last year was that they lacked that little bit of consistency. And they could be doing with a little extra firing-power. To be fair, they are scoring reasonably well but when you come up against the big guns, you need all the ammunition you can muster.”
With players like Odhran Murdock, Danny Magill, Liam Kerr and Pat Havern helping to pull the strings within the side, McKernan is hopeful that they can make an impact in the League.
Brendan McKernan (front row, fourth from left) was part of the Down side that soared to All Ireland glory in 1991
Their 3-21 to 1-20 loss to Roscommon in round one was a setback and when it is considered that Cork overcame Meath last weekend by 2-19 to 0-21, it can be clearly seen that Down conceded rather too much.
Little wonder, then, that manager Laverty is seeking greater resistance from his side on Sunday.
“When you look at Division Two, you see a team like Monaghan in there who have been in Division One for the last 10 years or so and Roscommon went down with them so the going can be very tough,” insists McKernan, “Down will need to get into their stride on Sunday and show that they can make an impact in the League. It won’t be easy but if they pull out all the stops, anything is possible.”
For their part, Cork will undoubtedly be keen to sustain their early momentum in the League. Indeed this is something quite new for them given that eight years have elapsed since they made a winning start to the League.
They showed against Meath that they have the pace, guile and experience to bolster their efforts and in Chris Og Jones, Mark Cronin and Brian O’Driscoll, they have accurate marksmen who are more than capable of making life uncomfortable for opponents.
And in Matty Taylor, Paul Walsh and Sean Powter, the Rebel county have a trio of players who keep the pot boiling because of their intensity in foraging for possession. Yes, it promises to be quite a battle.