Down manager Ross
Carr said that he and his players are
looking forward to the replay of the
Ulster SFC preliminary round replay on
Sunday, 20th of May at Pairc Esler,
Newry.
The former All-Ireland winner with his
native Down feels that Sunday’s game
is still very much a 50/50 affair.
“Both sides can improve on their
performances of last Sunday in
Kingspan/Breffni park, Cavan and the
team that improves the most will take
the win.
Carr said that he was pleased overall
with the attitude of his team going to
a top championship venue like Kingspan/Breffni
Park, Cavan and coming away with a
draw. “Many of our more experienced
players took up the challenge and
played well on the day, and this had
the desired effect on the newcomers to
the side, who upped their game and
competed for the duration of the
game.’’
Both sides showed in the drawn game
they have forwards who can win the
replay, and the game could well be
decided on which side dominated around
the middle of the field and gets a
good supply of ball into their attack.
With that in mind Dan Gordon and
Cavan’s Dermot McCabe hold a lot of
responsibility in that regard once
again.
“Dan Gordon and Dermot McCabe were on
top of their game last Sunday and how
they play and what support they get in
the replay will be vital to the
outcome,’’ said Carr.
He continued: “Cavan are making a big
thing about the contribution of Benny
Coulter to the Down side, and he is
our chief dangerman. This I will agree
to a point, as Benny is one of the
best forwards in the game for the past
number of seasons. However, if we were
going out and relying on one player to
get us a result it would be an unwise
practice.
“I feel the younger players in the
Down attack will relish playing in
front of their home supporters in the
highly impressive Pairc Esler pitch
and could be our trump card on the
day. However, being realistic both
sides were guilty of making so many
mistakes on Sunday last both in attack
and defence that we all must be
relieved to get a second chance.
“I am expecting another close and
exciting contest on Sunday, and
hopefully on this occasion we come out
on top,’’ added the astute Ross Carr.
