Down manager Gerard Monan feels that winning the Christy Ring Cup last year has renewed interest in hurling in the county.

Last year, the Ulster side caused a bit of surprise when they defeated Kerry to win the second tier All-Ireland hurling championship.

Speaking to the Mourne Observer, Monan admitted that the win had renewed interest in the small ball game, which was great for the county.

"Winning the Christy Ring Cup has given hurling in the county a big lift. All of a sudden we have big numbers at training who want to plat for the county," said Monan.

Down opened their 2014 campaign with a comfortable 4-15 to 0-08 win over Queens in the first round of the Kehoe Cup. Tweet

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