Without Division One hurling since 2007, this is a big year for the Ardsmen – a well-deserved crack at the big boys, having built steadily under Ronan Sheehan’s stewardship. The same, however, could not be said about the last time the Yellowbellies made the four-hour trek to McKenna Park. Storm clouds had been hanging overhead for a while and, as their league campaign drew to a close, the heavens finally opened. “John just felt that it would be in the best interests of Down hurling to leave,” said then hurling board chairman, Brian McAvoy. We knew probably coming down the line was a few bad days, but we weren’t even giving ourselves a chance.