Down coach Mickey Donnelly says the current Allianz League format doesn’t make sense and feels teams who have four away games out of seven are at a massive disadvantage.

Of the six teams relegated in 2024, five played four games away from home. Kildare were the exception, although technically they didn’t have any home games as they played their four ‘home’ games at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow as St Conleth’s Park was being redeveloped.

After gaining promotion from Division Three last season, having had four home games in 2024, the Mournemen begin life back in Division Two with four away games, starting with Sunday’s trip to face Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park.

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“The four-three split is a big thing and I’m surprised more of the media don’t latch on to it,” said Donnelly.

“It is huge - five of the six teams who were relegated last year had four away games and three at home.

“Even if it was three at home, three away and one neutral venue, it would be much fairer. Or one game at a provincial ground.

“It is a big thing. It is not a normal League. In the Premier League, you have 38 games, 19 at home and 19 away. It doesn’t make sense.”

As well as having four games on the road this season, Down’s management have to adjust to life in Division Two with the additional challenge of the new playing rules which come into effect this weekend.

Conor Laverty’s men gave eventual All-Ireland champions Armagh a serious scare in the Ulster semi-final and, despite losing Liam Kerr and Shealan Johnston for 2025 , are expected to fare well this season.

When asked if the new rules will benefit Down in particular, Donnelly remarked: “I think we pride ourselves on having an athletic group of players and the physical condition players need to be in is definitely greater.

“The fitter the players are, the more they can get about the park. That’s one attribute we have.

“Teams in Division Three might not have been at that level, but we are now up a level and playing teams like Roscommon and Cork, who’ve played in All-Ireland quarter-finals in recent years. We are under no illusions that, while we have those attributes, will it be enough to compete with these teams? That is the challenge for us.”

He added: “I think we are going to see a very different product. I think people will get bogged down in the minutiae of the rule and maybe forget that it is still about catching, kicking, blocking, winning break ball and kicking scores.

“None of the fundamental skills of the game has changed, just how they are being governed and rewarded has changed dramatically. I think, ultimately, you are going to see more scores.”

While Down came up from Division Three last term, Roscommon lost their Division One status along with Monaghan and are the favourites to return to the top-flight this season.

Davy Burke’s men claimed a famous win against Donnelly’s native Tyrone last summer before losing out to Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-final and the Down coach is braced for a tough battle on Sunday.
“Going to Hyde Park- it is historically one of those grounds in GAA folklore that people talk about,” said Donnelly.

“You are talking about a team that, squad wise, have maybe the best group of forwards in the country.

“They have six or seven forwards who could play for any Division One team. We are going to have to keep a lot of men quiet - Diarmuid Murtagh, Conor Cox, the Smiths (Donie and Enda), Daire Cregg, Ben O’Carroll - Jesus they just roll off the tongue!

“It is a big challenge, but we are looking forward to it. We talked for two years about wanting to be in Sam Maguire football and we have that to look forward to. Part of that will be playing teams like Roscommon.”

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