Monaghan manager Mark Counihan is expecting a stern test from Down in this evening's Ulster MFC preliminary round clash at Clones.

After reaching the All-Ireland semi-finals last year and the Ulster MFL final last weekend, which they lost to Tyrone after extra-time, the Farney County are highly-rated, but Counihan isn't taking anything for granted.

"We see Down as a big obstacle in this preliminary round tie and it's a long way from here to winning honours so we're looking no further than this game. It's a quick turnaround from the league final last Saturday but we have to go with it," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"They have some very good forwards, there are All-Ireland colleges' winners in their side and they have players who are coming back in after missing out on the league so they will be stronger.

"We need to get off on the right foot and maintain our concentration. Whoever wins will face an away trip the following weekend so you could say that the pressure is on."

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