Down aiming to build confidence


By Kieran Lynch DOWN haven’t enjoyed the easiest of seasons to this point, and whilst Sunday’s upcoming clash against Carlow won’t impact their Joe McDonagh Cup status, it’s a chance to build confidence and momentum ahead of a relegation decider in round five. The Mourne County have yet to win a competitive fixture in 2023, […]


Performance the priority for Down against Offaly


By Niall Gartland DOWN boss Ronan Sheehan says they’ve adopted a stoic approach to their league opener against Offaly in Sunday’s Division 2A opener. The Leinster side are new to the second-tier following last year’s relegation, but Sheehan is more conscious about the departure of some Down stalwarts, some temporary and some permanent, and what […]


Pre-season hurling action continues


By Shaun Casey THE pre-season hurling competitions continue this weekend for Down and Antrim, who are involved in the Walsh and Kehoe Cups respectively. Both counties also entered Ulster’s preseason tournament, the McGurk Cup, so plenty of players earned lots of game time. Last year’s Joe McDonagh Cup winners Antrim take on Galway on Saturday, […]


A season of ups and downs for the Down hurlers


By Shaun Casey THE 2022 season was a roller-coaster ride for Down hurling and was quite literally a year of highs and lows. The Mourne men topped the Division Two league table but produced their worst performance of the year in the league final against Westmeath. A huge win over Kerry followed in the McDonagh […]


Pearse Og looking forward to Ulster final


By Kieran Lynch LIATROIM are hoping to become the first team from Down to win the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship when they take on Middletown in the final on Saturdary. The Fontenoys overcame Monaghan’s Castleblayney and Antrim’s Clooney Gaels to reach this stage, and star man Pearse Óg McCrickard reflected on their performances in the competition […]


DOWN PREVIEWS: Trophies up for grabs in the hurling championships


DOWN SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL BALLYCRAN V PORTAFERRY Sunday, Páirc Esler, 3pm THE big two have been lined up for a heavyweight showdown and a repeat of last year’s final. Ballycran got their hands raised 12 months ago but form this time around would point to a Portaferry victory. Advertisement Verdict: Portaferry DOWN INTERMEDIATE HURLING […]


Important points at stake in the Down Hurling Championships


THERE are championship games in both football and hurling in Down this weekend. The hurling scene is heading towards a conclusion, while the Junior Football Championship gets under way. DOWN SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP STAGE BREDAGH V BALLYGALGET Advertisement Sunday, Carryduff, 2pm BOTH these sides have a sole win to their name – against Newry […]