Down are set to be without Peter Fitzpatrick for next year’s football season after the midfielder decided to emigrate to Australia.
The 22-year-old has decided to leave Ireland for work related reasons and he will be sorely missed by Down in the upcoming football season, especially as he has been a key component of the team.
This is the second such blow to hit the Mourne County, as All Star Marty Clarke has already returned to Australia in order to continue his AFL career.