Which Gaelic football boss has called Division 1 a ‘cruel place’?

They say it’s tough at the top but Down boss James McCartan would go one further, calling life in Division 1 of the League a “cruel place”.

Following last Sunday’s 0-8 to 0-14 defeat to Kerry in Pairc Esler, Down are rooted to the foot of Division 1 of the Allianz Football League after just three games. With only four games left to escape the drop, the pressure is on James McCartan to get results.

And he tells today’s Irish Times that the Division is so tough that they are already in a battle for survival.

“Aye, Division One is a cruel place,” said McCartan. “No one is going to hand out points, but we always knew it was the bottom end of the table we’d be likely looking at. Everybody is scrapping for it.

“I think last year the fact that Galway got no points meant there was really only one place for relegation, in a way, because Galway weren’t picking up any points all the way along. But everybody has picked up some points at this stage, and looking for more. Cork losing to Donegal has set them back, given Donegal some points, but what you’d really like, from our point of view, is a couple of teams with no points. So look, it’s going to be tough, but we’re in for the fight.”

McCartan’s analysis is correct. After three rounds – excluding the replay required for Mayo v Dublin – things are very tight. Kerry are second with four points after two games. Down are bottom with two points from the same number of games.

Everyone has at least one win and only Mayo, after two games, are unbeaten. Every score will be crucial too as points difference could be, well, the difference between safety and the drop at season end.

Down play Mayo this Sunday, and James Horan’s side are joint top. Another defeat would leave Down in serious trouble, especially if the other teams on just one win (Dublin, Donegal and Laois) can grab a win this weekend.

It’s cruel for Down, but great for us to watch.