McCartan: Time to size up to Rebel challenge

Down’s Greg McCartan feels his county’s recent poor run of results against Cork is largely down to their players being dwarfed by Conor Counihan’s totemic side.

Since losing to Counihan’s men in the 2010 All-Ireland final, Down have suffered three heavy defeats to the Rebels and by margins of 11, 10 and 13 points respectively.

After that string of drubbings, McCartan isn’t certain if Down are suffering a fear factor of Cork. However, he is convinced their cause isn’t helped by their relative diminutiveness to their Division 1 semi-final opponents on Sunday.

“There are some boys who buy into beating or losing to teams. I remember there were a few teams that didn’t like to play against us.

“Cork are a physical side and Down wouldn’t be as big as them. We have Ambrose Rogers, Dan (Gordon), Kalum King... our fair share of big players, but Cork have physicality all over the field.”

The likes of Danny Hughes, Mark Poland and Conor Laverty are three examples of the more skilful players available to McCartan’s namesake, manager James. However he doesn’t argue for adopting a horses for courses attitude towards beating Cork.

“You have to make do with what you have. There seems to be an abundance of players in Down who aren’t as tall but are fast and free-scoring. I suppose you could go around the county and pick up boys from 6’1’’ to 6’5” in height and they could go out against Cork and do well.

“But you go with your best players and they are boys like Danny Hughes and Mark Poland, who has been the best player for Down in the league.”

Just 10 months after losing the 2010 All-Ireland final to them, Down met Cork again in last year’s All-Ireland qualifiers.

The 2-20 to 0-14 scoreline reflected just how much the Mourne men played second fiddle to the then reigning champions.

“That game came too soon,” reckoned McCartan. “Down didn’t want to face them after being so close the year before.”

Down’s hopes of ending their recent run of bad form against Cork got knocked during the week when it was confirmed Hughes and Rogers are out of the Croke Park game with injuries. Given the nature of the opposition and the physicality he brings to his game, former midfielder McCartan see Gordon as the bigger loss.

“I hope Danny Hughes doesn’t mind me saying but Dan Gordon would probably be a bigger loss against Cork.

“You could put in somebody to do Danny’s job in around the half-forward line and midfield.

“But for his ability to win aerial ball, we’re going to miss Dan Gordon. Not to be able to call on him around the middle or at either end. You would be assured of him winning his fair share of ball.”