Down vs Laois: Marty Clarke says 2023 semi-final rout was “a freak” game as Mournemen gear up for Tailteann Cup rematch

Wednesday 10th July 2024

Down vs Laois: Marty Clarke says 2023 semi-final rout was “a freak” game as Mournemen gear up for Tailteann Cup rematch

Clarke insists Justin McNulty has reinvigorated the O'Moore County and is expecting a different test from the Division Four champions at Croke Park this weekend

By Paddy Tierney belfastlive.co.uk

Down coach Marty Clarke insists the Mournmen are ready to take the step up in class as they bid to secure Sam Maguire football next season when they face Laois in Saturday’s Tailteann Cup final.

Since Conor Laverty took the reins in 2023, Down have squandered a host of opportunities to move into football’s top 16.

Two chances to gain a place in the All-Ireland series came and went last year when they failed to reach the Ulster final and lost the Tailteann Cup final to Meath.

Winning Division Three this season would have secured a place in the group stages, but Down were beaten by Westmeath and they were edged out by a single point by Armagh in the Ulster semi-final.

This is, therefore, a fifth opportunity for the current crop to book their place in the top-tier competition and it is one Clarke says Down are keen to grasp.

"There is no doubt that the prize of getting into the Sam Maguire is a very big one as is winning a national competition in Croke Park,” said Clarke.

“I still think that our biggest target going into this game is to see if we can put together a performance where we feel we do ourselves justice in those areas. Because we feel that we haven’t reached the heights we would like but we are working hard to do that.

"The thing about it is, that you have to factor in, is every opposition gives new challenges and at the minute because we have been down in the Tailteann Cup for a few years every side is always raising their game to play you - we found that out against Sligo.

"We give every opposition maximum respect but there is certainly a lot on the line for us individually and certainly if we were to get that cup and be in the Sam Maguire next year, it would be a fantastic year."

Westmeath, inaugural Tailteann Cup winners in 2022, have shown that teams operating in Division Three can hold their own in the All-Ireland series and Clarke feels the current Down squad would relish the chance to rest themselves against the top sides in the country.

“We feel we’re building in the right direction,” added Clarke.

“If we can go there on the 13th and get the job done then we can push pause for a few months, go back to their clubs and give it all there, and you’re starting in Division Two and the Sam Maguire next year.

“We know that’s the prize at stake, and that’s certainly tangible progress, and it would have to be taken up another few levels to play in Division Two and play in the Sam Maguire.

“That’s our ambition, if you get those things right then potentially you could get on a roll and that’s where we would like to be.

"We would like to be ambitious and see where we could go, and have the county right back up there towards the top tier.”

Standing in Down’s way is Justin McNulty’s Laois, a team that lost to the Mournemen by 22 points in the semi-finals in 2023.

Clarke labelled last season’s Tailteann Cup clash at Croke Park “a freak” game and feels the O’Moore County are a completely different animal under the guidance of the 2002 Armagh All-Ireland winning defender.

“I’m been very impressed (with Laois), any side that gets promotion and wins that national title in Croke Park, you know they have their shop in order,” said the Down coach and former All-Star.

“It is difficult to get out of any Division. (Justin) McNulty has come in as new management and they really have looked the part.

“If I looked back and watched that game the last day, it was just one of those games when everything falls for you. We are under no illusions that it was a bit of a freak game.

“The Laois of this year are much improved, even though they have plenty of the same players as do we.