Ambrose Rogers has given Down a timely pre-championship boost.

The former Mourne County captain missed the entire national football league campaign after undergoing knee surgery but returned to county training last week and was on club duty last night.

The inspirational Rogers came on for 26 minutes of the second half as his club Longstone lost to Rostrevor (1-13 to 1-7) in Division One of the ACFL.

The signs were encouraging at Petitt Park last night as the injury-plagued Down midfielder (who missed the 2010 All-Ireland final) moved freely and executed some excellent, trademark high catches.

Down manager James McCartan will be delighted at the prospect of having Rodgers available to him for the Ulster SFC opener against Derry on June 2nd, particularly as he has seen his squad depleted by injury and emigration. Tweet

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