Allianz Football League: Down's fate in our own hands - Marty Clarke
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Down's Ceilum Doherty challenges Luke Loughlin of Westmeath
Down coach Marty Clarke says the county's fate in the Allianz Football League is in their own hands ahead of a winner-takes-all match with Clare.
The Mourne County are unbeaten in Division Three and level with Westmeath but know a draw would be enough to secure promotion in Newry.
Clare are one point behind the leaders and can earn promotion with a win.
"It's a massive occasion for us and it's our target to get out of Division Three," Clarke told BBC Sport NI.
Down have had an impressive campaign with the coaching ticket of Conor Laverty, Clarke and former Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh.
They narrowly missed out on promotion in 2023 but bounced back with five wins in their opening five matches in the new Division Three campaign.
Both Down and Westmeath could have secured promotion to Division Two with a win in their penultimate match but the league leaders drew 0-13 to 1-10 in Mullingar.
That leaves it down to a three-horse race for promotion on the final day on Sunday with Down and Westmeath, who face Sligo, in pole position to reach Division Two ahead of Clare in third.
"To come to our seventh game and have an opportunity at home to Clare, it's in our own hands," said Clarke, who added his side have not looked at the Ulster Championship, which is looming following the conclusion of the league in a packed schedule.
"Last year, when we came into this round, our target was to get out of Division Three and by the sixth round Fermanagh had beaten Westmeath, which meant it wasn't possible for us to get promoted.
"The major thing is that promotion. Getting up to Division Two is something that we know we need for the group to develop and push on.
"It's very difficult to get out of any division but that is the priority. In the background, that prize is there for teams who can earn themselves promotion, to potentially get into the Sam Maguire and that would be another massive step for the group."
'Clare an excellent side'
Clarke added that he hoped home advantage would come into play at Pairc Esler but stressed his side would not underestimate a Clare side who have been flying under the radar.
"Home advantage is something that we do cherish and something we will be hoping to take advantage of," the 2010 All-Star said.
"Clare have a number of players who played in Division Two much longer than our lads, several years they've been there.
"They have played in All-Ireland quarter-finals. People seem to forget that in this part of the world, but as a management team and as a squad we are under no illusions that Clare are an excellent side.
"They were thoroughly unlucky not to beat Westmeath, so we have done our homework as best we can."
Conor Laverty (right) brought former Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh (left) on his coaching team
Clarke added that there is a "fairly healthy list" in terms of injury concerns but Caolan Mooney is doubtful after sustaining a knock against Westmeath.
Down brought Meenagh, who led Derry to the All-Ireland semi-finals as interim manager last year, into the coaching team and Clarke added that he has a "great relationship" with manager Laverty.
"The energy and passion and knowledge that Ciaran brings, he really has helped a lot," he said.
"Tactically, but also the emotional side of things and the energy you need to bring to every training session in order to be a winner.
"Fingers crossed that preparation can stand us in good stead."