Matched sides with something to prove

THE FOOTBALL qualifiers have an uncanny knack of throwing together suitable opposition, and this is one such occasion. Sligo, beaten in the Connacht final just six days ago, come up against Down, a team who fell victim to the six-day syndrome a few years back – and neither one will truly fear the other.

It’s bad enough for a team to be out again so soon after losing a provincial final, but the additional problem for Sligo is that last Sunday was a game they really should have won.

Somehow they were strangled by the favourites tag, and allowed Roscommon impose their authority with too much ease. Sligo manager Kevin Walsh was widely praised for his tactics in beating Mayo the first day, and also Galway, in a replay. But who could have predicted that David Kelly wouldn’t even score, or that Sligo would fall behind 0-10 to 0-4 after 35 minutes?

They are effectively unchanged from last Sunday – with Walsh restoring Eugene Mullen to midfield, as he replaced the injured Tony Taylor early on the last day. Walsh emptied the bench last Sunday in an attempt to stem Roscommon’s flow, and once again has good men in reserve such as Seán Davey, Kenneth Sweeny and Stephen Coen.

Down reintroduce Danny Hughes and Daniel McCartan from the team that got past Offaly last Saturday, Hughes bringing his considerable pace to the half-back line, and McCartan, brother of manager James, returns from suspension to beef up the defence.

Up front they have considerable threat in Marty and John Clarke and Benny Coulter, although that threat has yet to be fully realised. Whatever momentum is there would appear to be with Down, but they can’t afford the stop-start display they produced against Offaly, because Sligo are unlikely to be as complacent this time.

SLIGO: P Greene; C Harrison, N McGuire, R Donovan; K Cawley, B Philips, J Davey; E Mullen, S Gilmartin; A Costello, M Breheny, E O’Hara; C McGee, A Marren, D Kelly.

DOWN: B McVeigh, D McCartan, D Gordon, D Rafferty; D Rooney; J Colgan, C Garvey; A Rogers, K King; D Hughes, M Poland, P McComiskey; B Coulter, J Clarke, M Clarke.

Referee: M Deegan (Laois).

In the last episode: In the first-round qualifier in 2006, Sligo ran out convincing winners 1-7 to 0-4 in Markievicz Park, with Seán Davey (1-1) and Mark Breheny (0-3) their top scorers.

You bet:Paddy Power have Down at 10/11, the draw at 7/1, and Sligo at 5/4.

On your marks: Sligo were slow out of the blocks against Roscommon and Down didn't begin brightly against Offaly, so a head start could prove decisive.

Gaining ground: Kingspan Breffni Park may slightly favour Down who will be more familiar with the Ulster venue.

Just the ticket: It's a pay-at-the- turnstiles fixture. Admission: Stand: €25; Terrace: €20; Students/OAPs (With valid ID): €15; Juveniles (U-16): Free.

Crystal gazing: Their desire to make a quarter-final may just swing it in Down's favour.