By Niall Gartland AUTOMATIC progression to the Tailteann Cup quarter-finals is the prize on offer for table-toppers Down and Meath in Saturday’s final group stage clash in Parnell Park (1pm). As things stand, Down’s superior score difference separates them from Meath at the top of group two. However, if Down lose this one, they’ll face into […]
By Shaun Casey CONOR Laverty’s first competitive outing as Down manager, after the pre-season competition of the McKenna Cup, was a long trip south to Tipperary. This weekend, the Mourne men will make the same journey in round two of the Tailteann Cup. Down will be hoping for a similar result as goals from Pat […]
Shaun Casey investigates the art of man-marking by talking to two of its finest exponents “WHEN Derry ended a 24-year wait for an Ulster title last season, Chrissy McKaigue was the man fortunate enough to climb the steps in Clones and raise the Anglo Celt above his head. It was a long and at times […]
Down 2-14 Waterford 1-6 Down got their Tailteann Cup campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable victory over Waterford. There was little to excite the crowd in the first half and Down dominated proceedings after the turnaround. Pat Havern traded scores with Jason Curry (two frees each) before Conor Murray rifled home the […]
All-Ireland U-20 FC semi-final Down v Kildare Saturday, Parnell Park, 7pm (Live on TG4) By Michael McMullan IT was a disappointing day for Down on Sunday in Clones, but their u-20s can kick the county back on track in Saturday’s All-Ireland semi-final. The Ulster champions take on last year’s All-Ireland runners-up Kildare who have seven […]
By Michael McMullan WHEN Conor Laverty talks football, there is very little fluff. He gets to the point. The words are clear. You immediately see how players buy into what he is selling. The boom box vibes were echoing from behind the Down dressing door in the aftermath of last Wednesday’s Ulster final win over […]
ULSTER CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL Armagh v Down Sunday, Clones, 4pm By Niall Gartland THEY say that a week is a long time in politics and the very same maxim could be applied to the dog-eat-dog world of inter-county football. It wasn’t long ago that Armagh were being written off as a contender to the big prizes […]
IT’S just minutes after Down’s win over Donegal. The sun is out and the fans pour on. Ceilum Doherty had that pleasant smile across his boyish face. For a footballing fanatic, life is more than good. This is living. These are the days you kick against the gable wall for. Soaking up every nugget of […]
DOWN teams have always historically been associated with a certain type of football: fast ball, kick-passing, good scoring forwards, playing on the front foot – some people would describe it as swashbuckling. The rise of Down started with their 1960 All-Ireland football win, Down had a level of team-play never seen before at Croke Park, with even […]
Ulster SFC quarter-final Down v Donegal Sunday, Páirc Esler, 2pm By Michael McMullan WHAT a difference two years can make. Donegal were facile winners, 2-25 to 1-12, over Down in Páirc Esler in the 2021 championship opener. A lot has changed. Declan Bonner was Donegal’s manager. Paddy Tally was in charge of the Mourne County […]
