"I wouldn't say it is a must-win, but it would be a good time to start"
February 18, 2022
Down's Niall McParland and Derry's Gareth McKinless ©INPHO/Lorcan Doherty
Down's Niall McParland expects a tense battle between the Mourne men and Meath in the Allianz Football League this weekend.
Both sides head into the Navan clash on Sunday gunning for their first points of the Division 2 campaign after suffering defeat in the opening two rounds.
James McCartan’s side are expected to have to wait a little longer before they get their All-Ireland winning Kilcoo contingent back and, that considered, McParland says it's the Royals that hold the slight advantage on home turf this weekend.
“It is two teams who are hurting and two teams who need points,” he is quoted saying by BelfastLive.co.uk.
“Us going down to Navan probably gives them a slight advantage as well. The two teams will come out swinging because, if you don’t come out of this with any points, you are looking towards relegation.
“If you don’t pick up points this weekend, you’d be looking over your shoulder. I wouldn’t say it is a must-win, but it would be a good time to start.
“After this weekend, things start getting a bit more tense if things aren’t going your way.”
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