New Down manager Jim McCorry admits that a number of players caught his eye in yesterday's game between a Down Select and a Club All Stars side in Newry.

The Down Select won out on a 6-15 to 3-13 scoreline and McCorry says there were players on both sides who put their hands up for county selection.

"Players like Gerard Collins, Packie Downey and Jerome Johnston were very impressive in the Down Select side and obviously there were guys too on the Allstars team who showed what they can do," the former Kilcoo boss explained to the Belfast Telegraph.

"The task will be to harness the talent into a winning combination. There is a revolving door policy in terms of selection. There were some players whom we approached who were unable to give the level of commitment we sought while there are others who have been nominated by their clubs that we still have to look at.

"At the moment we are working with a 38-strong squad and there may well be some additions and deletions. Obviously, though, we will be working on our defensive strategy."

Down have suffered a raft of retirements of late, but McCorry insists he won't be using that as an excuse once the new season gets underway.

"We are not going out to fulfil fixtures in the McKenna Cup in order to prepare a team. We're going out to win and we will be trying to win every competition," the Armagh native continued.

"Obviously there has to be a level of preparation in terms of assessing how players can play in different positions. Our first competitive match is at home against Cavan in early January and it's nice to be facing them at Newry."

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