Down suffer second blow with Kilcoo star set to miss 2025 campaign
Down have suffered another blow on the eve of the new season with Shealan Johnston set to miss the 2025 campaign.
The Kilcoo star is set to travel to Australia and won’t be available for Down’s upcoming Division Two games and their subsequent Championship outings.
The Mournemen will be in the Sam Maguire Cup this year following their Tailteann Cup win last term while Conor Laverty will also be without Liam Kerr, who is also travelling to Australia.
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Both players featured in last summer’s Tailteann Cup victory over Laois at Croke Park and both scored points for Down in a win that sealed their place in the All-Ireland series for 2025.
The loss of Kerr and Johnston has been offset by the addition of former Tyrone defender Hugh Pat McGeary to the Mourne ranks.
The Pomeroy man lined out for Rostrevor, where he now lives, in last season’s Down Intermediate Championship and has been called up to Conor Laverty’s squad.
A brother of 2021 Footballer of the Year Kieran, Hugh Pat was also part of Tyrone’s All-Ireland winning squad in 2021 and was one of seven players who opted out ahead of their title defence in 2022.
However, Donnelly feels his fellow Tyrone native could have a big role to play for Down this year.
“It is great to have Hugh Pat (McGeary) in,” said Donnelly.
“He has an All-Ireland senior medal in his back pocket and he has those leadership skills.
“He has been a leader for his home club, Pomeroy, and he has shown that already with his ability to be vocal.
“The experience he brings is huge and we see Hugh Pat as a huge attribute to our squad.
Down, who were promoted with Westmeath last season, begin their Division Two campaign with a tough trip to Dr Hyde Park to face Roscommon on Sunday.
In addition to McGeary, Laverty has recalled Glenn duo Shay Millar and Paddy Brooks following their impressive run to the Down SFC semi-final.
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