By John Campbell, Belfast Telegraph
jcampbell@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Queen's University GAA Site

John Clarke's form for Queen's University in the Dr McKenna Cup is a source of encouragement to Down manager Paddy O'Rourke who now finds he has rather more options available to him for the National League. Manager Paddy O'Rourke can take satisfaction from three victories on the trot since the dawn of 2004.

But if the performances of a number of players in the famous red and black jersey have offered grounds for optimism, then the contribution which other Down players have made in January to date for their university teams is something of an added bonus.

In fact, Clarke rifled home the goal that proved so crucial in Queen's victory over Fermanagh at the week-end.

Although he has been turning out in defence for Down in the past, Clarke's scoring touch will not come as any great surprise to those who have been following club football within the county.

While competitors such as Sean Ward, Brendan Coulter and Gregory McCartan have been laying claim to the midfield berths for Down, Dan Gordon proved the essence of consistency in the St Mary's Universiy College engine-room against Armagh, Monaghan and Down themselves.

Gordon, still only 20, is very much in the Mourne frame as indeed is John Clarke, who was quite a lethal marksman with Queen's University in their outings against Cavan, Donegal and Fermanagh.

He is very much a sharpshooter with the progressive An Riocht club and now county boss Paddy O'Rourke may well ponder his value to the Mourne attack, depending on the defensive options that are open to him.

Aidan Carr, son of Down All-Ireland winner Ross, has also been making an impact in Queen's colours and, like Clarke, was on target against Fermamagh.

Daniel McCartan, younger brother of Queen's manager James, underlined his worth at full-back for the south Belfast students' side against the Ernesiders while a younger member of this famous footballing dynasty, Eoin, was introduced as a Down substitute against Armagh at Newry.

The performances of these players offer real hope for Down who, this time last year, were licking their wounds having fallen to an unrecognisable Armagh side in the Dr McKenna Cup at Ballykinlar.

Last week-end, the result was not the only thing that was different from the teams' meeting twelve months ago. For when did Down last host a 4,000-strong crowd in the month of January? Now there's a poser!

The bubbling enthusiasm of Paddy O'Rourke's side is convincing the fans to leave their armchairs and render that element of vocal support that can prove more than useful. Should they get another generous helping of this against Donegal in Clones on Sunday (2pm), then Down might just find themselves going through the first month of the year undefeated.

THE Sigerson Cup competition will be launched on Thursday Feb 19 when St Mary's University College will do the honours.

Chairman Ryan Feeney confirmed today that no stone is being left unturned to ensure the success of the competition.

"It's all hands on deck from here on in and the enthusiasm is tremendous," reports the Eglinton man.