In-form Linden back in Down squad

NINETEEN years after making his inter-county debut, Mickey Linden is back in the Down senior squad for this year’s Ulster championship.

Linden, who hasn’t played inter-county football since last year’s two-point defeat by Longford in the All-Ireland qualifier, was in sparkling form with his club Mayobridge in a recent challenge game against Leitrim, scoring 2-3.

The game was watched by county team boss Paddy O’Rourke, who was hugely impressed, and invited Linden to rejoin the county panel, which the player readily agreed to.