'As you were' for Down

Down manager Ross Carr has kept faith with the team that started last weekend's win over Offaly, although he has made a number of positional switches for tomorrow's SFC All-Ireland qualifier trip to O'Moore Park in Laois (throw-in 7pm).

Up front, Benny Coulter, who played a central role in the first round game, has been re-positioned to centre-forward, with John Fegan added to the Mourne men's full-forward line.

Carr has also rejigged his defence with Colm Murney going from full-back to centre-back and Luke Howard switches wings in a full-back line that includes the re-positioned Kevin McGuigan.

Carr has warned his players not to expect another high-scoring win this weekend.

The Ulster side ran out 5-19 to 2-10 winners over Offaly but Laois should provide a stiffer test.

He said: "If the players think they'll play the same against Laois as they did against Offaly, it won't happen.

"Instead of 5-19 to 2-10, I'd be happy if we won by 0-09 to 0-08 this weekend. That would be progress.

"I do feel the two Tyrone games and the Armagh match stood to us, but equally Laois were tested more than us against Longford than we were against Offaly.

"Laois gave a core group of quality players aged in their late 20s - Darren Rooney, Tom Kelly, Pauric Clancy, Ross Munnelly and Colm Parkinson.

"They're a very mobile team who have a good track record in Portlaoise."

DOWN (SFC v Laois) - B McVeigh; L Howard, M Cole, K McGuigan; A Carr, C Murney, P Murphy; D Gordon (capt), A Rodgers; K McKernan, B Coulter, D Hughes; J Clarke, R Murtagh, J Fegan.