By Niall McCoy

National Football League Division Two North

Westmeath v Down

(Sunday, TEG Cusack Park, 1.45pm)

THESE are testing times for Down as they head to Mullingar already knowing that they have a relegation play-off on the horizon.

It’s been a disappointing return to Division Two for Paddy Tally’s side. In round one they lost easily to Mayo, but at least there was the consolation that they were playing one of the top sides in the country.

Last week’s 0-14 to 2-15 defeat to Meath in Armagh was much more worrying as they were second best in every sector of the pitch.

The game was held at the Athletic Grounds as punishment for breaking the Covid-19 training ban, but it’s still a ground that the Down players know well. Still, it was Meath who looked much more comfortable with the surroundings as they dominated for the majority of the match despite two first-half black cards.

The margin of defeat could have been even greater only for a fine reaction save from Marc Reid from Thomas O’Reilly late in the first half while referee Niall Cullen awarded them a few sympathy frees in the last quarter.

It’s unlikely that Tally will go full strength for this clash, and he indicated afterwards that he wouldn’t risk players with the big play-off match to come.

The manager was already in experimentation mode against Meath as Cillian O’Sullivan’s two-goal salvo killed off the contest in the third quarter. Firstly he took out two of their better players on the day, Caolan Mooney and Liam Kerr, with the former hobbling a bit as he departed. Team captain Darren O’Hagan was also withdrawn early.

That was the preservation, and the experimentation came from those who came in. Game-time was given to Paddy Branagan, Stephen McConville, Conor Gough, Conor McCrickard, Danny Savage while Liam Middleton came in as a blood sub.

It would be a surprise if some of those don’t get more minutes this weekend, not least Liatroim man McCrickard who looked really lively during his 20-minute cameo.

One of the more interesting team selections will come in goals with Rory Burns and Reid battling it out for the number one spot. Burns was in nets against Mayo, Reid took over for the Royal encounter, so if the latter holds onto the jersey then he has clearly jumped ahead in the queue.

Full-back Gerard McGovern will miss out through suspension as he caught Matthew Costello with a high tackle in the closing stages, so there will be at least one change at the back.

Westmeath are also preparing for a relegation pay-off, but they can be much more satisfied with their efforts to date. Jack Cooney’s side started with a derby match against Meath and led by four points with 14 minutes remaining. They were unable to hold on though, and slipped to a one-point defeat.

They also caught the eye against Mayo in round two as goals from Luke Loughlin and John Heslin saw them lead at the break. They fought well in the second half too but Cillian O’Connor’s unerring accuracy from frees saw them lose by three points.

It may seem like there is nothing on the line here, but a third-placed finish will, in theory, see Down play the weakest team from Division Two South in the play-off. Whatever the outcome, Mourne fans will just want to see a lot more fight from their side.

Verdict: Westmeath

23 May 2021; Liam Middleton of Down during the Allianz Football League Division 2 North Round 2 match between Down and Meath at Athletic Grounds in Armagh. Photo by David FitzgeraldSportsfile