Collins calls time on 10-year Mourne career
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By Michael McMullan GERARD Collins has announced his retirement from inter-county football Gaelic Life can confirm. The RGU Downpatrick man made his debut in 2015 in a comfortable win over Westmeath in Mullingar before making his first championship appearance against Monaghan the following year. While part of the Down squad this season and making substitute […]


Down enjoying step up
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By Shaun Casey LAST year’s Ulster Junior Championship Down winners are now one victory away from competing in the Intermediate decider, but their focus will first be on Antrim this weekend before they look that far ahead. Peter Lynch and Caoibhe Sloan’s side, who also clinched All-Ireland glory in 2023, have already clocked up one […]


Mourne County hoping to add to Westmeath woes
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By Niall McCoy GIVEN how the fixtures have played out to date, Down can all but guarantee one of their key objectives for the season when Westmeath visit Ballycran on Saturday – safety. Of course Ronan Sheehan’s side have ambitions higher than that, but it would be nice to go into the last few games […]


O’Hagan injury a blow to Down
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DOWN have been dealt a blow ahead of the Tailteann Cup with the news that Barry O’Hagan’s knee injury will keep him out for the rest of the season. O’Hagan came on during Down’s loss to Armagh in Saturday’s Ulster semi-final, a third appearance on his comeback from a knee ligament sustained in last year’s […]


Donnelly well aware of Orchard talent as neighbours set to meet
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By Shaun Casey NO one has to inform Mickey Donnelly of the talent that’s inside the Armagh changing room. He’s got to witness it first-hand having worked closely with a number of their players and even helped develop them as footballers. During his years teaching at St Ronan’s College, Lurgan, he’s got to witness up close […]


McNeice backs Armagh to secure back-to-back final appearances
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By Shaun Casey MATTHEW McNeice guarded the goals for Armagh in Kieran McGeeney’s first-ever championship game as county manager back in 2015 when Rory Gallagher’s Donegal proved far too strong in the opening round of the Ulster Championship. Patrick McBrearty rattled the net early on and the Tir Chonaill men cruised to a nine-point victory […]