IT SEEMS that continuity is key for the new Down manager, Colm Donnelly.
The Monaghan man takes over at the helm after dual management of Peter Lynch and Caoibhe Sloan stepped down last year.
But he made it clear that by only making small changes, they can hit the ground running in what is another crucial year for the county’s ladies footballers.
“Hopefully there is not a whole pile that will change, it is just a different voice from my side as the manager.
“I have been lucky in that I have worked with a lot of good club teams in Ulster. I would have worked a lot under good managers and for me our approach towards different games and our coaching language, quite possibly, could be the difference.”
The backroom remains pretty much exactly the same with Mark Poland as coach, and the rest of the back room staying in place.
According to Colm, that’s a good thing.
“It brings continuity within the group. They know what to expect from the girls, and the girls know what to expect from the people within the group.
“Sometimes when a new manager comes in and changes the whole backroom team, it takes them a long time to learn the habits of the group.
“I am familiar with the players because I went in in April this year as one of the coaches with Mark Poland.
“That is how I know all the girls and all their abilities.
“We all know what to expect from each other.”
He added that he is honoured to be working with a group of players who possess such great talent.
“They are no different to a men’s team. They are elite athletes. They want progress. Their attitude is unbelievable. Their commitment is unbelievable. You are not chasing anyone. They all want to be here. They all want to represent Down.”
