Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pete Down to business once again
ALMOST three decades after starting his first senior county assignment with Pete Mcgrath begins his latest one against them tomorrow.
It’s a case of deja vu for Mcgrath as 12 months ago he took Fermanagh to Pairc Esler in the opening round of the League and scored a ninepoint victory.
Down looked a safe bet to suffer another relegation on the back of that but the fortunes of both teams went in opposite directions. Eamonn Burns’ side finally ended their lengthy losing streak and stayed up before going on to reach the Ulster final.
Fermanagh made the drop instead and after an uninspiring Championship showing, Mcgrath left amid player unrest.
Given Down’s proximity to
and the fact Mcgrath has managed at club level in the county in the past, the job seems a natural fit, albeit somewhat surprising that he didn’t take it up previously.
However, the feeling Louth hit a glass ceiling under Colin Kelly is difficult to shake and with Down having turned a corner, Burns can get one over on his old boss.
and two counties with designs on promotion, meet at Hyde Park tomorrow but the home side’s credentials appear stronger. Today welcome
to Cusack Park, where they have a decent record while they will need to maintain to avoid relegation.
The developing rivalry between and
continues at Pairc Ui Chaoimh this evening, with the Rebel footballers getting their first run out there since its redevelopment in a double header with the hurlers and a bumper home crowd expected. Amid that backdrop, you’d have to fancy a winning start for Ronan Mccarthy.