BY RONAN SCOTT

National Hurling League Division 2B

Down v Roscommon

Sunday, Ballycran, 1pm

The National hurling league comes and goes quickly, and counties need to take their chances.

Down are already on the back foot, and if they are to meet their promotion goals then they need to get a win to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Derry.

Oisin McManus was a key player last week, and scored 13 points, 12 from frees.

He explained what the Ardsmen need against Roscommon.

“A performance is needed,” he said.

“If we perform and get the ball moving the way we know we can then the result will take care of itself.”

Last week, Down manager Ronan Sheehan explained that Down are building upon the work that was done last season. He wants them to continue to play a fast-moving game of hurling, away from the physical style that was formerly adopted by the Ards men.

McManus says part of that is bringing new men in.

“It is a case of getting the younger boys in. I am actually one of the older ones and I am only 23.

“They need to get out there and experience the way National League is played.

“They are startign to get the hang of it. We are a smaller team but we can hurl. The younger boys play to our strengths.”

They learnt a tough lesson last weekend.

Down spent part of the week ruminating on the defeat to Derry in the opening round of the League.

“It was a bit disappointing to not get the win. Everyone was a bit down after the match. We thought we were going to win.”

“If you get off to a good start [In the league] then you are flying. We didn’t seem to get going in the first half and that cost us. We played a lot better in the second half.”

Derry had led by 1-11 to 0-7 at half time. Down had been briefly in front after a couple of McManus frees, but the Oak Leafers got back in front, and stayed ahead for the remainder.

“Derry were well set up, and very well organised. They knew what we were going to do, and they had a plan for us. They knew where the ball was going to be. I was impressed by them. They have the Sleacht Neill boys back and they will be hard to beat.