Experimentation will be out for Down football manager James McCartan as soon as the National League kicks off.

And that means that newcomers who are hoping to catch the manager's eye will have only the Dr McKenna Cup competition in which to do so.

"I had players over the past few years who were dissatisfied that they didn't get chances in the National League," McCartan said in the Irish News.

"But as far as I am concerned you get your chances in the challenge games, the McKenna Cup and at training sessions. When it comes to National League games, you put the best team out that you think is going to win the game. You don't give out chances just for the sake of it."

McCartan believes Down will have to be at their best to stay in Division 1.

"From last year, Monaghan and Galway got relegated. Both teams were in a bit of transition and I don't think they would be in any way insulted if I was to say that Division 1 looks a bit stronger now that Donegal and Laois have come into it.

"It was a tough test last year and it looks like a tougher station this year. With the players that have gone to Australia (Marty Clarke and Caolan Mooney), I'm sure people are earmarking us as one of the teams that will go down, but I'm sure they did that last year too." Tweet

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