White not worried about Championship

Carrickmacross's Mark Downey

CARRICKMACROSS manager Stefan White admits that any progression in this year’s championship will be a bonus as the side have lost a number of players to emigration, including former county player Mark Downey.

The forward is away to Canada for the foreseeable future and his loss, amongst others, has White’s focus on more realistic goals this year ahead of Saturday night’s championship opener with Ballybay in Aughnamullen (6pm).

“We’ve lost a number of players in the last few weeks so we have, boys emigrating and things like that,” said White. “A few of the younger lads are away, it’s unfortunate but we wouldn’t stand in their way, it’s just the way things are.

“We can just hope that a few boys step up this weekend, but our main aim this year is very much to consolidate our senior status, anything after that is a bonus.”

The team haven’t picked up a point in three games and carry a scoring difference of -25 in those trio of defeats.

One of those defeats was at home to Ballybay, who emerged 1-10 to 0-10 winners on May 11.

“We shipped a few heavy defeats alright, but we have still won five games out of nine this year and we would be looking for some of that early season form.”

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published June 8. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent or, for only 90p, purchase the online edition by clicking here