Eamonn Burns is leading Down into Sunday’s Ulster Championship quarter-final against Armagh

DOWN manager Eamonn Burns claims that he has been unmoved by the slings and arrows which have been fired in his direction during the past two seasons.

Speaking ahead of their eagerly awaited Ulster Championship quarter-final clash with Armagh on Sunday, Burns says that he has closed his ears to the avalanche of criticism that Down have received since he took up the post on November 5 2015.

The Bryansford man had to wait 15 games to get his competitive win as Down manager but a sliver of light has appeared after he steered the Mourne County to Division Two safety.

“I suppose if you believe everything you read you wouldn’t leave the house. That stuff wouldn’t really bother me at all. As long as you’re happy in your own mind with where you are and making progress you work off that basis.

“That’s your job to keep the players on the up, to lift them after a defeat. We’ve worked hard on that and I think the players have responded. It’s part of your job as a manager.”