Mark Copeland is aiming to complete the first leg of a notable double with the Down ladies footballers on Sunday.

Copeland will manage the Mourne County in the All-Ireland intermediate final against Fermanagh at Croke Park, having taken over the reins from Myles Cahill in mid-season. As assistant to new Down men's football manager Jim McCorry at Kilcoo, Copeland will have another final to look forward to on Sunday week when Kilcoo defend their county SFC title against Burren.

Copeland, who has also guided Southern Regional College, Newry into Higher Education Football, told the Newry Democrat that he is taking his hectic schedule in his stride.

"I am a busy man and I am fortunate enough to be involved in successful teams. I would like to think that I have brought some of the professionalism that I got from Kilcoo and the College into the Down ladies set-up," he said.

"They are a terrific bunch of girls and they have worked hard since November and anything we have asked of them we have done.

"We really have brought a professional approach this year. The training facilities alone, we are training in the Abbey, the same place as the Down men, and we have tried to add that professionalism this year and it has paid off so far."

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