Down manager James McCartan is trying to come up with the right mix of youth and experience.

Having lost key men Martin Clarke, Caolan Mooney, Peter Fitzpatrick and James Colgan to emigration, the Mourne boss will welcome back some big names and also introduce some fresh blood for the McKenna Cup next month.

McCartan has been boosted by the availability of experienced quartet Damien Rafferty, Declan Rooney, Conor Garvey and Ambrose Rogers.

And, in his provisional squad named for the subsidiary provincial competition, Niall McParland and Conor Gough join fellow Hogan Cup winning captain Kevin McKernan, with other new faces including Damien and Peter Turley (Downpatrick), Arthur McConville (Clonduff), Ross McGarry (Warrenpoint) and Marcus Miskelly (Darraghcross).

Chairman Seamus Walsh says: "Obviously we are disappointed to have lost such a talented group of players who have now left this country but we feel we now have key men coming back from injury and others who are prepared to make a strong bid for places in the side. This is very encouraging.

"We got to the All-Ireland final in 2010 and that whetted our appetite for glory. But we will take things one step at a time.

"The McKenna Cup will give us an indication of where we are at and then we will see how we go in the national league.

"An Ulster championship title would be on our radar but there are eight other counties with the same ambition." Tweet

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