Down manager Conor Laverty has expressed that the battle for promotion in Division Three remains unpredictable, especially as his team prepares to face Wexford this Sunday at Chadwicks Wexford Park.
With three victories under their belt, Down leads the division, yet each game has been a closely contested affair. Their largest margin of victory came against Clare, where they secured a five-point win, thanks to late goals from Odhran Murdock and Daniel Guinness. Against Limerick, a last-minute point from Shane Annett clinched the victory, and although they held a 13-point lead against Westmeath, they ultimately won by just three after a late rally from their opponents.
Heading into the match against Wexford, who recently faced an unexpected defeat against Limerick, Laverty is cautious about the division”s dynamics. “Many people might assume that certain teams are favorites for promotion, but I see teams here that have been around for a long time and are very well coached,” Laverty stated. He noted that the nature of winter football leaves little room for teams to dominate, with most games coming down to the final minutes.
In contrast to their upcoming opponents, Donegal, who are nearly assured a position in Division One and can shift their focus to upcoming matches, Down must balance achieving results with developing squad depth. Laverty has been proactive in integrating new players, particularly after the injury of Danny Magill. None of the starting half-backs from their last game against Westmeath were part of the previous year”s squad, yet they have all made significant contributions to the team”s success.
Laverty emphasized the importance of depth, commenting, “Losing a player like Danny Magill highlights our need for quality and youth in the squad. The new players have truly stepped up.” He specifically praised Pearse McPolin for his exceptional performance throughout the McKenna Cup and league games.
Additionally, Down has been enhancing their offensive capabilities with the return of Clonduff forward Barry O”Hagan, who is recovering from two ACL injuries. O”Hagan”s limited minutes in previous matches have been carefully managed, as Laverty noted the importance of slowly reintroducing him to ensure he regains his match fitness.
“Barry”s coming back from serious injuries, so we need to approach his reintegration thoughtfully,” Laverty explained. He acknowledged the guidance of the medical and conditioning staff in helping O”Hagan regain his form. “It”s crucial to get him playing time to build his fitness, as training alone doesn”t replicate the demands of a match.” Laverty is pleased to have given O”Hagan opportunities to contribute in recent games.
