Former Down captain Darren O’Hagan would like to see Steven Poacher take over Down, and he hopes Gearoid Adams is involved too

DOWN defender Darren O’Hagan has become the first Mourne county player to go on record supporting a potential managerial candidate – and he has thrown his weight behind Steven Poacher.

The Carlow coach is part of a ticket that has Shane Mulholland alongside him as joint manager.

O’Hagan, a former captain and senior figure in the changing room, has said that it’s time for past disputes to be put aside and has also called on the Down County Board to speak to the players before coming to a final decision.

“I probably only have two or three years and I want to make something of my career, I don’t want to finish my career without any medals and I think Stevie could be the boy that can bring us that one step further.

“The last couple of years it’s been a bit dead and there hasn’t been much bite in the players. Any team he’s with he has them eating out of his hand and maybe we need that.”

O’Hagan also indicated that he’d love to see Gearoid Adams still involved in some capacity next season.

The full interview with Darren O’Hagan  is in this week’s Gaelic Life, in shops now or available here.