Down manager James McCartan has faced many challenges this season, but the biggest one could be trying to convince players to stick around for the forthcoming Tailteann Cup campaign.
The Mournemen’s interest in the Ulster Senior Football Championship was ended in comprehensive fashion by Monaghan in Clones on Saturday as the Farney claimed a 0-23 to 2-7 victory.
Caolan Mooney and Pat Havern bagged goals either side of half-time for Down, but the strikes couldn’t mask the alarming gulf in quality between the sides.
Read more: Monaghan vs Down: Player ratings from Saturday's Ulster SFC quarter-final tie
Monaghan now face Derry in the Ulster SFC semi-final at the Athletic Grounds on Sunday, May 15 while Down enter the inaugural Tailteann Cup following their relegation from Division Two earlier in the season.
When asked by reporters if he might struggle to motivate players for the new competition, McCartan replied: “The answer I’ll give you is, I hope not.
“I don’t know the answer to that. I put that question to the group in there. As a group, do we want to make progress?
“The Tailteann Cup is what’s left in front of us and it is an opportunity for young players and experienced players to try and turn a corner.
“There’s an opportunity there and certainly waving a white flag in the Tailteann Cup I don’t think is going to be much benefit to Down football.
“We just want building blocks in place for Down in the future. We’re going to be in Division Three next year and with the Tailteann Cup we’re going to try and win some football games. We know where we’re at.”
McCartan, to his credit, didn’t offer any excuses as he recalled a painfully one-sided affair at St Tiernach’s Park.
“A Division One team versus, next year, a Division Three team. They got a good start and we didn’t,” added the Down boss.
“The wide count was 10 to two - they were very economical in front of goals.
"We needed to be like that and we weren’t.
"We gave ourselves a bit of hope before half-time and, again, after half-time, but they quickly scored points after that. You can’t concede 23 points and expect to win a game.”
Monaghan manager Seamus McEnaney, meanwhile, said the thoughts and prayers of everyone in the county are with the family of Aoibhe Byrne, who was laid to rest on Sunday.
The 14-year-old from Lisnaclea in Carrickmacross died last Wednesday following a tragic accident. A talented sportstar, Aoibhe played Gaelic football for Magheracloone Ladies.
Speaking after his side’s impressive win over Down McEnaney said: “My first thoughts are with Aoibhe Byrne and the Byrne family in Magheracloone.
“I was at the wake yesterday (Friday). A 14-year-old girl. . . it is devastating for the club.
“She was a huge supporter of Monaghan and the family are huge supporters of Monaghan. “My thoughts and prayers are with those people after the game here today.”
On the footballing front, ‘Banty’ stated that he wasn’t overly concerned about the concession of two goals, one either side of half-time.
“I’m absolutely not concerned with any part of the day. If everyday went like today, I’d be very happy,” added the Monaghan boss.
“The most pleasing part was how we recovered from the two goals and how we controlled the game.
“I think there are a lot of positives for Monaghan today. We’d a lot of different scorers (11). “Those things are pleasing. Yes, we conceded two goals, but you are going to make mistakes in games.
“It is about how you recover from the mistakes - that’s the most important thing.”
Read more: GAA pundits in agreement regarding Tyrone’s performance against Derry
Read more: Monaghan vs Down: Score recap as Farney claim a 10-point win over Mournemen in Clones
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