Down assistant manager Marty Clarke says they are expecting to come up against “a bit of a wounded animal” when they face Donegal in Sunday’s Ulster SFC quarter-final clash in Newry (2pm).

The Tir Chonaill men saw manager Paddy Carr depart after just five months in charge before their relegation from Division 1 of the Allianz Football League a little over three weeks ago.

Nonetheless, Clarke reckons the Mourne men will “be up against it” in their provincial opener this weekend.

"It's never nice to hear of a GAA manager leaving in the middle of the year but we are obviously fully aware that this is a top Division 1 team and have been for a number of years," the 2010 All-Star told BBC Sport NI.

"Yes they got relegated this year but they came to Newry less than two years ago and scored 2-25 in an Ulster preliminary round tie and with a lot of those players, there will be no fear of Down and we know we'll be up against it and we'll obviously be planning for a bit of a wounded animal as well."

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