Down Senior Football Face Kildare - 22/02/03

Allianz National Football League Division 1B
Kildare v Down @ 3.30 p.m. Kildare, Sunday 23rd March 2003

After the disappointment of losing out to Cavan last time out in the NFL, Down have another huge test tommorow - Sunday 23rd March when they clash with Kildare at the Newbridge venue. Nothing less than a win on this occasion will be good enough for Paddy O'Rourke men.

Down are still on a learning curve an can only get better with the experience. However, as far as this seasons national league is concerned time and games are running out. Kildare are a tough side to beat in Newbridge. They had a narrow win over Sligo but then lost the points as they did against the Yeats county last season when Sligo protested that the Kildare team list was incomplete. The Kildare Co. Board are appealing that decision, and all await eagerly the result.

If Kildare have the points reinstated they could still stave off relegation, provided they defeated Down and then Laois in Portlaoise in their last game. The Down defence manned by Martin Cole, Ciaran Byrne, Liam Doyle and John Clarke will be given a thorough examination by a Kildare attack which has huge potential given a plentiful supply of the ball. John Doyle, Tim Rossiter and Phil Murray are all potential match-winners when 'on song'. The game could be won and lost in the midfield sector - and the clash of Down's Gregory McCartan and Sean Ward against Kildare's Raymond Sweeney and Kieran Brennan could turn out to be a real battle.

The loss of Benny Coulter will be a huge setback to O'Rourke's side. However, the management team will be hoping that players such as Michael Walsh, Ronan Sexton, Dan Gordon and Aiden O'Prey will deliver on this occasion. A real championship-like encounter should be the order of the day on Sunday. Whatever side loses on Sunday will be relegated, although such is the precarious situation both teams find themselves in that they are already tipped for Division 2 football next season. A win on this occasion could well make or break the Down sides season. Remember, they were in a similar situation a few weeks ago against table-toppers Laois in Portlaoise, and they rose to the occasion to come away with a vital point.

A similar display is needed on this occasion, and the outcome of this game will give the Down supporters and indeed management a true indication of the true potential of this side, and their chances in the forthcoming Ulster S.F.C. campaign!

The Down Team for Sundays game (Kildare team at bottom of page)

1. MICHAEL McVEIGH - M.MAC an BHEATHA (CASTLEWELLAN)
2. JOHN CLARKE - S.Ó CLÉIRIGH (AN RIOCHT)
3. CIARAN BYRNE - C. Ó BROIN (BURREN)
4. MARTIN COLE - M. MAC COMHAILL (ROSTREVOR)
5. ADRIAN SCULLION - A. Ó SCOLLÁIN (CARRYDUFF)
6. AIDAN O'PREY - A. aPRÉITH (LIATROIM)
7. DECLAN ROONEY - D. Ó RUANAIDH (MAYOBRIDGE)
8. SEAN WARD (Capt.) - S MAC AN BHAIRD (BURREN)
9. GREGORY McCARTAN - G. MAC ARTÁIN (CASTLEWELLAN)
10. LIAM DOYLE - L. Ó DÚGHAILL (LIATROIM)
11. MICHAEL WALSH - M. BREATNACH (MAYOBRIDGE)
12. RONAN MURTAGH - R. MAC MUIREARTAIGH (BALLYHOLLAND)
13. RONAN SEXTON - R. SEASNÁIN (MAYOBRIDGE)
14. DAN GORDON - D. MAG MHUIRNEACHÁIN (L'INISLAND)
15. ANTHONY DEVLIN - A. Ó DOIBHILIN (KILCOO)
16. BRENDAN Mc VEIGH - B. MAC anBHEATHA (AN RIOCHT)
17. BRIAN BURNS - B. Ó BROIN (BRYANSFORD)
18. COLM McCRICKARD - C.MAC RIOCAIRD (LIATROIM)
19. DANIEL McCARTAN - D. MAC ARTÁIN (BURREN)
20. JOHN LAVERY - S. MAC LABHRAÍ (AN RIOCHT)
21. DECLAN SHEERAN - D. Ó SÍORÁIN (DRUMGATH)
22. JOHN FEGAN - S. Ó FAOGÁIN (ANNACLONE)
23. JAMES McCARTAN - S. MAC ARTÁIN (BURREN)
24. PATRICK P. McCARTAN - P.P. MAC ARTÁIN (LIATROIM)
25. SHANE WARD - S. MAC AN BHAIRD (CLONDUFF)
26. SHANE KING - C. Ó CIONGA (BRYANSFORD)
27. MICHAEL HIGGINS - M. Ó hUIGINN (LONGSTONE)
28. GLEN McMAHON - G. MAC MATHÚNA (MAYOBRIDGE)
29. BRENDAN GRANT - B. GRANT (MAYOBRIDGE)
30. SHANE MULHOLLAND - S. O MAOLCHALLANN (BALLYHOLLAND)

Kildare introduce a completely new midfield partnership for the visit of Down to Newbridge in the Division 1B of the Allianz NFL on Sunday next. Sarsfields' Alan Barry gets his first inter county start and is partnered by Mick Wright who has started the last two games in the full forward position. Brian Lacey returns from suspension at right full back, with David Lyons moving to the half back line.

Kildare:
Christy Byrne, Brian Lacey, Ronan Quinn, Andrew McLoughlin, David Lyons, Damian Hendy, Anthony Rainbow, Alan Barry, Mick Wright, Karl Ennis, Glenn Ryan, Ronan Sweeney, Tadhg Fennin, Derek McCormack, Johnny Doyle.

Division 1B Results and League Table

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