Down’s preparations for their forthcoming Tailteann Cup campaign have suffered another huge blow with the news that former captain Caolan Mooney is the latest player to leave the panel.
Earlier this week, Ryan McEvoy, Gerard Collins, Charlie Smyth and Corey Quinn exited James McCartan’s squad.
McEvoy was visibly upset at being withdrawn in the second half of last month’s Ulster SFC loss to Monaghan at Clones.
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However, the latest fallout to engulf the Down camp leaves McCartan without two of his starting team from the 10-point loss to the Farney.
Mooney bagged a goal on the cusp of half-time while Pat Havern was Down’s other goal-scorer at St Tiernach’s Park.
Collins replaced McEvoy while Cory Quinn was named in the starting programme, but didn’t feature.
Last year’s U20 goalkeeper Charlie Smyth didn’t make the match day squad against Monaghan.
McCartan’s second term as Down boss has been besieged by problems. The Mournemen were relegated from Division Two and were without their Kilcoo contingent for the early stages of the season.
They picked up just one point from seven games - a draw against Meath in Navan.
However, Ceilum Doherty and Jerome Johnston opted out of the squad following Kilcoo’s All-Ireland success while Liam Kerr and Finn McElroy also departed.
Prior to their Ulster Championship clash with Monaghan, there was an alleged breach of discipline at a training weekend in Dublin.
Following the 0-23 to 2-7 loss to the Farney, experienced attacker Barry O’Hagan dismissed the Tailteann Cup campaign as “pointless” despite McCartan later claiming his side would try and give the new competition their best shot.
The Mournemen will learn their fate on Monday morning when the draw for the second tier competition takes place.
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