Caolan Mooney signals the end of the road with Down

Caolan Mooney looks to have retired from inter-county duty following Down’s two-point defeat to Galway at Páirc Esler in the preliminary quarter-final of the All-Ireland series.

Mooney made a massive impact off the bench after entering the fray during the second period, kicking two scores that helped Conor Laverty’s side battle back into contention having trailed by ten at the break.

An underage star in the Mourne County, Mooney won back-to-back Hogan Cup titles with St Colman’s College in 2010 and 2011 and spent three seasons with the county minors in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

He was called into James McCartan’s senior squad in 2011 and kicked a point on his debut in a qualifier clash with Clare and also hit the net against Ulster rivals Antrim during that championship campaign.

A journey that started in 2011 when I made my debut for @officialdowngaa , it’s coming to an end in 2025. To much time on the physio beds this last 2 years played it part as does the essence of time, the body can only take so much. pic.twitter.com/jCDnpYhPb5

— caolan mooney (@caolanmooney) June 22, 2025

He spent three seasons on Collingwood’s books in Australia, following in the footsteps of his county colleague Marty Clarke. Mooney has been key to the Down cause since Laverty took charge and will leave a huge gap for Down to fill next season.

Mooney took to X on Sunday evening to announce his retirement. “A journey that started in 2011 when I made my debut for Down, it’s coming to an end in 2025,” it read.

“Too much time on the physio beds this last 2 years played it part as does the essence of time, the body can only take so much.”

Check out this week’s review show, looking back at the Tailteann Cup and All-Ireland series, with inteviews from Declan McCusker, Conor Laverty and Jim McGuinness.