GARVAGHEY, Owenbeg, Convoy – hitherto fairly obscure place-names now synonymous with GAA centre of excellences, and in time, you can add Ballykinlar to the list. It was announced last week that Down GAA will receive over £12.6million in funding to develop a new base from the EU-supported PEACEPLUS Programme. Here’s the nuts and bolts – […]
Niall Gartland takes a look at who’ll be in charge across the province in 2025 Antrim – Andy McEntee MEATH native Andy McEntee is set to manage Antrim for a third year in 2025 and the general feeling is that he’s doing a good job at the Saffrons. If you take this year, they finished […]
By Niall Gartland DOWN boss Conor Laverty recognises that it was crucial they successfully put a halt to their losing streak in finals as he reflected on Saturday’s Tailteann Cup final triumph over Laois. All the positive psychology in the world couldn’t gloss over the fact that they’d endured a miserable record in finals not […]
By Niall Gartland THIRD time’s the charm? Down were stumped by Meath in last year’s Tailteann Cup final, and their Division Three final against Westmeath back in March didn’t exactly go according to plan either, but there’s something to be said for sheer bouncebackability and they find themselves strong favourites to prevail in Sunday’s Tailteann […]
By Shaun Casey IT’S small margins at the highest level and just over two months ago, Down proved their quality against Armagh in the Ulster semi-final, with the Orchard County shading the contest by the minimum of margins. On the same day that Down compete in their second Tailteann Cup final in as many seasons, […]
By Michael McMullan DOWN manager Conor Laverty feels his side are made for the open spaces of Croke Park but is hoping they do themselves justice on Sunday. Last year’s beaten finalists face Sligo in the second half of a Tailteann Cup semi-final double header that includes Antrim’s clash with Laois. Headquarters hasn’t been a […]
By Niall Gartland DOWN have been rampant in the Tailteann Cup to date and it could be a considerable surprise if their momentum doesn’t carry them through Saturday’s quarter-final clash against outsiders Wicklow at Páirc Esler. Conor Laverty’s side have been scoring for fun from the outset of their campaign, racking up 1-20 against Limerick, 1-24 against […]
Conor Laverty has named his Down panel for Saturday’s Tailteann Cup quarter-final clash with Wicklow. The Mourne men reached the final of the Tailteann Cup last season but lost out to Meath at Croke Park. They will enjoy home advantage this time around however as they welcome Oisin McConville’s side to Pairc Esler, a curtain […]
By Niall Gartland THE Tailteann Cup doesn’t seem to have captured the imagination of the paying public, and Down selector Mickey Donnelly believes the GAA need to look at ways of making the competition more palatable for fans. Plummeting football championship attendances hit a new low a fortnight ago when fewer than 100 spectators watched the […]
By Niall Gartland DOWN are odds on favourites to cement a top-place finish as they gear up to take on Offaly at Kingspan Breffni in their third and final group stage match this Sunday. Conor Laverty’s side have won both their matches to date while Offaly having nothing to show for themselves after successive losses to […]
