'We're going well and there's no-one to fear,' says Havern

The excitement is building for the Mourne county on the back of their one-point victory over Louth in Pairc Esler a couple of week's ago that made it two wins from two in the group stages.

The last time Down played in front of such a massive crowd in Newry was six years ago when they lost out to Mayo in the second round of the All-Ireland Championship qualifiers.

“We said that when we were playing against Clare, it’s been a long time since Down went into an All-Ireland series - Covid obviously hit, and then they brought in the Tailteann Cup,” said Down forward Pat Havern who was held to a single point back in 2019 but is consistently clocking up big scores these days and registered 0-6 during Down's 0-24 to 2-16 win against the Farney men in their last Division 2 Allianz League fixture.

Most of the current Down panel weren't in the starting 15 in 2019 but this crop of young players are relishing being in the battle for Sam with the support of the county fully behind them.

“It’s good to see days like that and having so many people here and the buzz it brings,” said the Saval player after the Louth game.

“There was a time where [the referee] was giving a call against them [Louth] and, with the crowd, I couldn’t hear myself think. You’re trying to get out, trying to get that kick-out, trying to win that ball, but you can’t hear yourself think. Those are the moments, that’s Championship football. You have to have those games and get over the line because it’s not too often Down get into those games. Hopefully, that’s the start of it.

“Monaghan’s a good side, everyone knows that, they have pedigree from playing in Division 1 for years, and they’re a Championship team too. But we’re going well, and there’s no one to fear - just go at them and see how things go.”