THE driving force of the Monaghan team. At a shade over 6'4" and with the physique to match, Eoin Lennon knows that a lot will be expected of him against Down this afternoon. The midfield battle between himself and Dan Gordon will dictate the supply of the ball through to the respective attacking channels.

He admires Gordon. A good player, a versatile player, he says.

"When we last played Down back in 2003 Dan was at full forward. Being beaten that day was something that was hard to take. In the first round we had put out Armagh who were then All Ireland champions. We thought we had done all the hard work. Perhaps the attitude wasn't absolutely right."

Six seasons in the middle of the park for Monaghan hasn't blunted Lennon's enthusiasm.

Another championship Sunday afternoon can't come quickly enough. "There is no better feeling in the world than getting ready to go out on the pitch for the start of it."

This time the expectation levels generated by the Monaghan supporters will be even higher than usual. Ever since the Ulster championship draw was made Monaghan looked to have got a place in the softer side. Lennon doesn't buy into that though, especially with Down at home in Newry.

"It's a long, long time since we have beaten Down in the championship. They were supposed to be out of the title chase by now. Down will always be hard to beat when it comes to championship."

But compared to Down's limp league returns the bookmakers have graded Monaghan's workmanlike performances as a better barometer of quality. There is of course the unpredictability factor. That was emphasised when Meath's momentum gave them a comfortable Division Two semi-final win. The post mortem questions centred on the defence, and in particular on the full-back line.

"Look, that was a bad performance all round. The truth is we didn't play well as a unit.

There were no fingers pointed at the back line through a reasonable league run. The last line is the hardest to play.

One mistake, and there is very little margin for recovery."

Down, with two games already completed in the championship should have that harder edge. But while Monaghan don't have matchtime reserves to call upon, Lennon stresses that they won't lack anything in fitness.

The new training regime developed by Martin McElkennon has been focused on the individual as part of the wider Monaghan team collective. "Martin has really freshened things up this season. The training is sharp and aggressive. It's tailored to meet the specific needs of the position and of the player."

The decision to draft fresh faces into the Monaghan attack is another move that the midfielder welcomes. Both Ciaran Hanratty and Shane Smith are fast and direct.

"Thomas Freeman is the player that has to cope with very tight marking. At times he has to carry a huge burden.

Shane and Ciaran are excellent young players. Both have the game that will suit Thomas. I expect them all to link well."