By Shaun Casey WHOEVER comes out on top of Saturday’s meeting between Down and Laois will be in pole position to challenge for a spot in the Joe McDonagh Cup final, but Caolan Taggart hopes that pressure won’t get to his side. Ronan Sheehan’s men head to Portlaoise off the back of a three-point loss […]
JOHNNY MCINTOSH: Down’s day but plenty for Antrim to ponder
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April 23, 2026
DOWN’S win over Antrim should be the starting point here, not a footnote. It wasn’t a smash-and-grab or a freak result – it was fully deserved and we shouldn’t forget their recent league win either. From start to finish last weekend, Down matched Antrim puck for puck, handling the intensity of an away day, a […]
Sheehan’s Down turning attention towards the championship
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March 6, 2026
By Shaun Casey WITH two games remaining in the league, Down need a miracle to save their Division 1B status and boss Ronan Sheehan says they are starting to focus on the Joe McDonagh Cup. The Mourne men currently sit at the foot of the table with zero points from four outings and look destined […]
Taggart says Down will play with ‘freedom’ as huge Clare test awaits
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February 6, 2026
By Shaun Casey DOWN defender Caolan Taggart says his side can play with freedom when they head south this weekend in their Division 1B league clash with 2024 All-Ireland winners Clare. Ronan Sheehan’s side have lost both their opening round ties, against Leinster opposition in Carlow and Wexford, but are excited by the prospect of […]
Down hurlers eye late league return for McGrattan
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January 22, 2026
By Michael McMullan DOWN manager Ronán Sheehan is full of praise for Tom McGrattan’s efforts in recovery and hopes to see him in action by the end of the league. The Portaferry ace sustained an ACL injury in training last season and missed crunch games for club and county. “He’ll hopefully feature in the final […]
Down’s Joe McDonagh status hangs on the final weekend
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May 23, 2025
By Michael McMullan DOWN know what their final game of the Joe McDonagh Cup looks like this Saturday. A win over Kildare in Newbridge and they are safe. Four points will be their best tally since they made the step up. Ronan Sheehan’s side were winners over Kerry on Saturday and should Westmeath beat the […]
Sheehan hopes for full McGrattan recovery
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May 8, 2025
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
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April 25, 2025
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
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March 28, 2025
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 […]
Down set to lock horns with Oakleafers
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January 30, 2025
By Shaun Casey TWO of Ulster’s unbeaten teams put their records on the line this weekend as Derry and Down do battle at Owenbeg on Saturday. Both teams got their Division Two campaigns up and running with first-round wins and will aim to continue that trend. It’s two years since these sides crossed paths in […]