Down need Mayo tails up like they need a hole in the head.
Already relegated after six defeats from six Allianz Football League Division 1 matches this Spring, the Mournemen, to keep themselves out of the record books, must avoid a heavy defeat in McHale Park against a Mayo buoyed by their derby win over Roscommon.
This is not a record you want next to your name.
In the past decade only three teams have finished with no points from their seven matches in the top tier of the National League – Westmeath (twice) and Fermanagh.
Conceding 8-81 and scoring just 4-53, the Fermanagh side of 2007 recorded a scoring difference of -40 points, comfortably the best average of the white-washed teams.
The Westmeath side currently battling for their Division 3 survival started down this slippery slope when they were relegated with a scoring difference of -68 in the 2014 renewal of Division 1.
However the worst record in modern times belongs to the Westmeath of 2009 – Tomas O Flatharta’s side conceding a whopping 11-105 and scoring just 3-59 for a points difference of -70.
To avoid equalling or surpassing this unwanted record Eamonn Burns’ side – who have scored just 1-44 and conceded 5-89 for a difference of -57 – must avoid defeat by 13 points or more against the five-in-a-row Connacht champions.
Only Kerry and Donegal, in the opening three rounds of the league, have racked up those kind of scores against the Ulster side so far this season, but Stephen Rochford’s Mayo are desperate to defend a proud record of their own.
Present in Division 1 since 1997, the Westerners need a win to ensure their impressive top flight occupancy goes into a 21st year.
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