By Shaun Casey FOLLOWING three seasons in charge of Loughinisland, Kevin Duffin is now leading the way with RGU Downpatrick in Division Two and while he admits the standard is certainly different, he’s enjoying his first year in charge. “There’s a brave change between Division One and Division Two, RGU have been in Division Two […]
Mourne County hoping to add to Westmeath woes
May 3, 2024
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
April 30, 2024
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
April 27, 2024
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 […]
Armagh can master the Mourne men again
April 26, 2024
ULSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL Down v Armagh Saturday, 5.15pm, Clones By Shaun Casey A LOT can change inside 12 months, especially in the world of Gaelic football – and it’s been one whole year since Down and Armagh renewed their age-old rivalry that spans back much longer than any of us can remember. The two great foes […]
McNeice backs Armagh to secure back-to-back final appearances
April 26, 2024
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 […]
Down face vital visit of Donegal
April 26, 2024
By Michael McMullan DOWN minor manager Benny Coulter feels there is little to choose between the top seven teams in Ulster but knows it’s crunch weekend for his side. Donegal come to Páirc Esler on Saturday and it’s a must win game for Down if they are to have any chance of making the quarter-finals. […]
Armagh and Down name teams for Clones showdown
April 25, 2024
KIERAN McGeeney and Conor Laverty has named his side for Saturday’s Ulster SFC semi-final clash (Clones, 5.15pm). It’s an unchanged Armagh team from the win over Fermanagh but goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty has been named on the bench. Greg McCabe has also made a return ahead of what it a repeat of last year’s semi-final won […]
STEVEN POACHER: Down need variety for Orchard test
April 19, 2024
THE Ulster Championship last weekend felt like an extension of the National League – poor crowds, soft pitches and windy, wintery conditions. It was a far cry from the summer sod, when the sun is shining, the straw hats are out and the football is fast and intense. Down’s game with Antrim on Saturday was […]
From Down to Shunde: A story of GAA progress
April 17, 2024
In our latest look at the GAA scene overseas, we take a look at the story of four Down men and Shunde Gaels in China By Michael McMullan IT’S a long way from Castlewellan to Shunde, south of Guangzhou and north west of Shenzhen on the Southern tip of China. That’s where Castlewellan’s Ciarán McCann, […]