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 defeat Waterford in Tailteann Cup opener
May 13, 2023
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 […]
Down embark on All-Ireland mission
May 5, 2023
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 […]
U-20 mode again for Laverty
May 4, 2023
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 SFC preview: Armagh are further down the road
April 29, 2023
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 […]
Doherty already looking to the next step
April 28, 2023
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 […]
STEVEN POACHER – The new Down way
April 27, 2023
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 […]
Preview: A different championship landscape
April 22, 2023
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 […]
KEVIN CASSIDY: Donegal are a wounded animal
April 20, 2023
THE Ulster championship continued to deliver last weekend with a pulsating encounter between old rivals Monaghan and Tyrone. The game was an absolute cracker that had everything you want from the game of football. This was a massive one for Vinny Corey and his players. When you consider their league campaign and the amount of […]
Down keen to build on remarkable victory over the Red Hands
April 11, 2023
By Niall Gartland DOWN u-20 coach Declan Morgan hopes they can carry the momentum of a truly impressive victory over Tyrone into Wednesday’s Ulster Championship semi-final against Monaghan. The Down youngsters pulled off a shock upset against the reigning All-Ireland champions when they claimed a thoroughly deserved 2-9 to 1-8 victory, the four-point margin of […]