Benny Coulter has expressed surprise and delight that Down have secured the services of Niall Moyna to be part of their backroom team.
The DCU manager, who led them to three Sigerson Cup and two O’Byrne Cups in recent years, is understood to have turned down the vacant Roscommon job last week, citing commitments with the Dublin university.
Coulter has revealed the players did not know Moyna was joining them until they turned up for a team meeting on Saturday morning.
“Nobody knew anything Niall Moyna coming to Down, so it was good they managed to keep quiet until it was definite,” he said.
“We’re happy James got it resolved and we’re delighted with who he got.
“I’m delighted James is staying on and he’s got a bigger name to join us than I thought he would have got.”
Prof Moyna was part of Pat Gilroy’s back-room which won three Leinster titles and the All-Ireland in 2011.
He is renowned for a scientific approach which Coulter is looking forward to experiencing at first hand.
“He didn’t say too much (at the meeting) but I’m sure his actions will do the talking over the next nine weeks.
“We are meeting up this week and we’ll take it from there.
“All in all, it seems like a good back-room team. Eamonn Burns is also coming in and he managed Ballymartin and Bryansford, so he has a good knowledge of Down football.” Jerome Johnston is staying on as team trainer.
