Preview: All-Ireland SFC qualifier: Down v Leitrim
June 28, 2014
Pairc Esler Newry plays host to Down and Leitrim this Sunday. INPHO
Leitrim are not "intimidated" by the prospect of taking on Down in their own backyard.
"Belief remains high among the team, we have to perform on the day," insists manager Sean Hagan who watched his side suffer a heavy 0-13 to 1-18 Connacht SFC defeat to Roscommon.
"We don't feel too intimidated about going to Newry. I know that three years ago Leitrim went to Newry and put in a fantastic performance."
Down manager James McCartan will have to make do without the holidaying trio of Kilcoo brothers Jerome and Ryan Johnston and their club-mate Paul Devlin which is a far from ideal scenario.
Corner-back Dan McCartan had a word of warning for his team-mates: "We go into every game expecting to win, but know if we don't work hard we can become very ordinary."
Long-serving stalwart Benny Coulter hinted during the week that this could be his last year in the Mourne County jersey but his distinguished inter-county career is unlikely to come to an end this weekend.
Verdict - Down.
Down team: Micheal Cunningham; Brendan McArdle, Niall Donnelly, Darren O'Hagan; Conor Garvey, Aidan Carr, Kevin McKernan; Dan Gordon, Peter Turley; Brendan Coulter, Conor Maginn, Mark Poland; Donal O'Hare, Niall Madine, Conor Laverty.
Leitrim team: tba.
Match details: Sunday, Newry, 2pm, extra-time playable.
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).
Odds: Down 1/25, Draw 20/1, Leitrim 10/1.
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