By Peter McGrath Jnr
DOWN boss Conor Laverty was delighted to secure a first win of the season over Cork at Newry on Sunday and praised the impact of the new solo and go rule.
Laverty said the players, “all really enjoy the tap and go. They really like that, that’s the one [new rule] that’s most obvious. It really speeds up the game and allows you to add pace to the game, move forward and it probably takes out that lateral hand passing.”
Ryan Magill’s view is that the players are still getting used to the new rules and some people like them, some don’t. But it’s been a case of just knuckle down and get on with it.
He shed some light on how Down are adapting as he said, “We have a strong running team, but we are trying to kick the ball more this year.
“We opened up Cork once or twice near the end of the first half so there was belief from that at half time.
“Cork are a great side. We knew what they’d come with. They’ve great forwards. They’re a big physical team and they kick it in.
“We knew if we were brave, and showed what we can do, we would be there or thereabouts.”
In the full report Ryan talks about the Newry support. Read the report now in the current issue.
