By Michael McMullan

RONAN Sheehan has done an excellent job in steering Down to the top of Division 2A and they’re now two at most, possibly one, game away from top level hurling.

Sunday’s win over Westmeath makes the final game with Kerry important as the winner will reach the league final while if Down lose they’ll still be in a semi.

Any time I have spoken to Sheehan, his enthusiasm coats every word of his hurling vocabulary.

Picking from a small pool of clubs, he has maximised their performances with wins over Carlow, Meath and Westmeath already.

Bringing Ryan O’Dwyer in has added a fresh face to the mix to back up the progress he had already made.

It’s a good job they are not relying on my predictions for results, as I’ve felt they’d narrowly be on the wrong side of tight games.

Thankfully, for the health of Ulster hurling, I was wrong and Down are on the up.