Team news for Down’s Croke Park clash with Westmeath


By Michael McMullan CONOR Laverty has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s National League final against Westmeath at Croke Park (7.15pm). It’s a rematch of the recent drawn encounter in Mullingar when a late Ryan McEvoy points earned Down a share of the spoils. McEvoy is one of seven players to have started all of […]


PREVIEW: Down can end wait for silverware


By Niall Gartland IT was quite a line – last weekend Leitrim boss Andy Moran issued a defiant rebuttal to those who call for the league finals to be consigned to the dustbin of history. Moran, whose team play in the Division Four showdown this Saturday, said “I heard a lot of noise during the […]


BREAKING: Smyth signs NFL deal


CHARLIE Smyth has signed a deal with NFL side New Orleans Saints, NFL Ireland are reporting. The Mayobridge man, an u-20 winning goalkeeper with Down, was invited to try out with the Saints this week. The move came after impressing at an NFL combine in Indianapolis earlier in the month in front of scouts from the […]


Smyth to work out with the Saints


CHARLIE Smyth’s chances of securing a NFL contract have been given a further boost with the news he will train with New Orleans Saints later this week, NFL Ireland are reporting. The Mayobridge man, who was a Ulster u-20 winner with Down, was has been in America as part of the IPP (International Player Pathway) […]


Down hoping to get off the Laois


By Michael McMullan DOWN are fully aware of the reward for beating Laois on Saturday, insists Eoghan Sands. Before a ball was pucked this season and in light of the new format for the National League in 2025, the Down camp targeted a league final. The winners from Saturday will not only play Carlow in […]


Clarke backs Mourne County to seal promotion


By Shaun Casey ONE point is all Down need on Sunday to confirm their promotion to Division Two and a Croke Park date for a league final, but their opponents Clare are eyeing up that much sought after promotion spot as well. Even in defeat, Down can get promoted if Westmeath happen to lose away […]


Ulster ‘keepers to take part in further NFL trial


By Michael McMullan Ulster GAA goalkeepers Rory Beggan and Charlie Smyth have another chance to impress scouts from NFL club at trial in Florida on Wednesday. Along with Wicklow goalkeeper Mark Jackson and another Irishman, Darragh Leader, they will take part in a NFL pro day at the University of South Florida. It will involve […]


Mourne County aiming to secure promotion in Westmeath


By Shaun Casey WHILE not mathematically secured just yet, it looks likely that Sunday’s contest in TEG Cusack Park between Westmeath and Down could well be a dress rehearsal for a Division Three league final. The two teams currently sit at the top of the pile with an unblemished record of five wins from five […]


Mourne County in “redevelopment phase” says skipper Magee


By Shaun Casey DOWN have suffered back-to-back league defeats to Antrim and Limerick but their captain Dearbhla Magee insists they are willing to keep fighting in the hope of retaining their place in Division 1B. Antrim overcame the Mourne ladies in the opening round while Paul Donnelly’s side endured a 3-19 to 0-6 thumping at […]