Sheehan hopes for full McGrattan recovery


By Michael McMullan DOWN hurlers were dealt a significant blow with the loss of Tom McGrattan but manager Ronan Sheehan looks at the bigger picture. The Portaferry man, named on this year’s Gaelic Life hurling team of the season, sustained a season-ending ACL injury in training. McGrattan missed their Joe McDonagh Cup defeat to Laois. […]


Down hurlers must bounce back with the visit of Laois


By Michael McMullan DOWN hurlers don’t have much time to lick their wounds after shipping five second half goals in defeat to Carlow on Saturday as the Joe McDonagh Cup swung into action. They’ll host Laois on Saturday afternoon in Ballycran (1.30pm) hoping to pull their championship ambitions back on track. Ronan Sheehan’s side went […]


Keith ready for shot at silverware


By Shaun Casey IT’S three weeks since Down defeated Kerry and sealed their spot in Division 1B for next season, but their league campaign isn’t quite complete yet and the team are looking forward to competing in this weekend’s Division 2A league final, says goalkeeper Stephen Keith. The Mourne men will join Kildare in the […]


Tom continuing the McGrattan legacy


By Shaun Casey WHEN the half-time whistle sounded in last year’s Ulster Club SHC final, Portaferry looked well on their way. The Down champions flew out of the traps and rattled the Sleacht Néill cages in the opening half. At the interval, Portaferry were seven points clear and had one hand on the Four Seasons […]


Sheehan hoping Down hurlers start on the front foot


By Shaun Casey WHILE Down’s league fate won’t be determined on Saturday, Ronan Sheehan says his men are keen to start on the front foot as they take on familiar foes Kildare in the opening round of their Division Two league campaign. The two teams know each other quite well at this stage and the […]


Down boss delighted with Richie McElligott Cup success


By Michael McMullan IT was a weekend to remember at Croke Park for Down hurling with their u-20s winning a second All-Ireland B title in three seasons. For manager Connor O’Prey, it was a satisfying way to finish the season and lays another layer of concrete on the county’s foundations. “You only get to enjoy […]


Down hurlers are ready for trip to the Kingdom


By Niall Gartland DOWN hurling boss Ronan Sheehan (pictured) hopes that his side can take a massive step towards Joe McDonagh Cup survival – and possibly more – when they venture to the deep south for their round two match against Kerry this Sunday. Sheehan’s side got their campaign off to a winning start with victory over […]


Taggart taking it all in his stride


By Shaun Casey STANDING in at corner-back as a young and fresh 19-year-old, Portaferry’s Caolan Taggart thought every year was going to be like this. Win the county title, pick up a provincial crown, and give the All-Ireland series a crack. Unfortunately, sports rarely follow such easy plans. That was back in 2014 when Taggart […]