The new Down team-manager Jim McKernan faces an uphill task to turn Mourne county’s fortunes around. The Ardsmen have struggled to find the form that led them to three Ulster senior title during the ’nineties. Antrim man Sean McGuinness guided the Down hurlers to two Ulster senior crowns in 1992 and 1995, before Frank Dawson - another Antrim man - won the provincial title in 1997.

Since then the Down senior hurlers have struggled to recapture the glory days of the ’nineties. Former manager, Jimmy O’Reilly went close on a few occasions to take the provincial crown away from Antrim, before highly rated hurling coach, John Crossey was given a chance at the job. Under the management of Crossey the Down senior hurlers forced Antrim to an Ulster final replay three years ago, before he was replaced by Cork native, Sean Farrell.

Ger Coulter assisted Farrell for two seasons before taking the reins last season. Coulter, of course was deprived of the services of key forwards such as Paul Braniff and Gareth Johnston last season, and it was no real surprise that his side lost heavily to Antrim last summer in the Ulster senior hurling decider, and also crashed out of the Christy Ring Cup at the group stages.

McKernan during his term as manager of Antrim senior hurlers literally worked wonders winning the Ulster title and also the Christy Ring Cup. He also safeguarded Antrim’s NHL Division One status. Despite these achievement he failed to retain the managerial post with his native county. Similar achievement in his new job with Down next season would make him a legend in Down hurling circles, and would definitely satisfy the hurling fraternity in the Mourne county.

His many friends and admirers in the hurling world not alone in Antrim and Down but throughgout the province wish him every success with the Down senior hurlers in the coming season.