Ulster SFC Round One/Cavan v Down: These counties have in common that a poor final-day performance in the league deprived them of the advancement their hard work had placed within reach followed by a championship run-up marked by injury scares. But there the comparison ends.

In terms of injuries, Down's have cleared up whereas Cavan's have come crashing down on the panel in the past month. Their respective league blowouts were also vastly different in scale. Down were caught napping by the form team of the closing stages, Galway, whereas Cavan lost at home to the county, usually ranked 31st in the country, Waterford.

That astonishing result further underlined Cavan's unpredictability and sends them to Casement Park either demoralised by the trend of the past weeks or burning with a desire to prove themselves.

It should be a no-contest, because Down have been developing over the past few years, blending in new players and are expected to be a formidable presence in Ulster this year.

But Paddy O'Rourke's team aren't free from the taint of inconsistency themselves, and consequently there's a bit of anxiety as they head for a championship opener they're overwhelmingly expected to win.

The loss of Darren Rabbitte, Anthony Forde (with suspension), Nicholas Walsh and Michael Lyng has torn the seam out of the team, and for the side that takes the field tomorrow it will be hard to hold everything together with so many central influences unavailable.

By way of compensation, international hand-baller Paul Brady has re-joined the panel and has a couple of challenge matches under his belt.

The big questions for Down concern centrefield and the attack. Ambrose Rodgers has impressed in the middle during the league, but is named on the 40 this weekend.

O'Rourke will be hoping for Dan Gordon to raise his game, but the partnership with Alan Molloy looks a bit static and Rodgers may be needed there at some stage.

Cavan's best chances are based on Dermot McCabe dominating centrefield and making it hard for Down to get their attack moving, as well as creating opportunity for their own forwards, who have the experience of Larry Reilly - passed fit - as well as the scoring potential of Seán Johnston.

The problem for Cavan is that Down have their best team available and reasonable cover on the bench.

Paddy O'Rourke has options - Martin McElkennon is too stretched.

DOWN: B McVeigh; M Cole, B Grant, D McCartan; P Murphy, J Clarke, D Rafferty; A Molloy, D Gordon; E McCartan, A Rodgers, D Hughes; M Walsh, B Coulter, L Doyle.

CAVAN: See Sports Saturday, page one.