By Michael McMullan THE million-dollar question for Down on Sunday was how they step out of the rubble of their Ulster exit at the hands of Armagh. With Westmeath’s win over Kildare, it combined to leave Conor Laverty’s side back in the Tailteann Cup. It was a tough day at the office as Armagh eased […]
UPDATED: 2026 Tailteann Cup draw
May 3, 2026
DOWN will host Leitrim when then Tailteann Cup gets underway later this month. Despite knocking Donegal out of Ulster , Sunday’s defeat in Clones and Westmeath’s victory over Kildare means Conor Laverty’s side miss out on Sam Maguire Cup football. Fermanagh face a home game against Longford with Antrim making the journey to Carlow. Here […]
Armagh were a machine there today: Laverty
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May 3, 2026
By Michael McMullan WHAT a difference a week can make. Ask Down. Ask Conor Laverty. From the highs of beating Donegal to Sunday’s chastening defeat at the hands of Armagh. “We are gutted now,’ he said, facing up the media despite their 3-33 to 0-14 defeat. “Listen, it's hard to put your finger on that. […]
Laverty hoping for Down momentum to continue
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May 1, 2026
By Michael McMullan THERE are two stories going into Sunday’s Ulster semi-final showdown in Clones. Firstly. Armagh are going in with one day extra of recovery having had a comfortable win over Fermanagh. On the flip side, Down had the rollercoaster of chinning the Ulster champions in their own backyard. Sunday’s result will write the […]
Down team named for Ulster semi-final showdown with Armagh
May 1, 2026
By Michael McMullan DOWN have named their squad for Sunday’s Ulster semi-final clash with rivals Armagh in Clones. Conor Laverty’s side booked their place after an impressive win over reigning champions Donegal on Sunday in Letterkenny. It's an unchanged team with Pearse McPolin and Caolan Mooney – late inclusions last week – retained. Danny Magill […]
Armagh firmly on red alert ahead of semi-final says Aaron Kernan
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May 1, 2026
COMING from Crossmaglen, Down were always Aaron Kernan’s big rivals. Sure, during his playing days there was a real hatred with Tyrone, but the historic rivalry with the Mourne men always stood out to him. And it’s back. Following their amazing win over Ulster and All-Ireland favourites Donegal, Conor Laverty’s side will be keen to […]
Nothing beats being there: The buzz of a packed championship venue
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April 30, 2026
There are two plum Ulster semi-finals this weekend. After Down’s electrifying win over Donegal, the Gaels of Ulster can taste another dose of action. Former Monaghan Karl O’Connell helps explain why. Michael McMullan writes… There were so many turning points in Down’s win over Donegal, it’s impossible to know where to dig the spade into […]
Antrim and Fermanagh Tailteann Cup fixtures confirmed
April 29, 2026
ANTRIM and Fermanagh will both be in action when the Tailteann Cup kicks into action later this month. The Saffrons travel to Carlow in a repeat of their January league meeting in Portglenone, won by Joe Murphy’s side. Fermanagh will host Longford as Declan Bonner’s side will also bid to bounce back from their Ulster […]
Mourne men not motivated by fear says Rooney
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April 28, 2026
By Shaun Casey DESPITE beating arguably the best team in the country last weekend, Down could still find themselves in the Tailteann Cup later in the year. It doesn’t seem fair, but rules are rules. Heading into the lion’s den of Letterkenny last weekend, the Mourne men knew that defeat could spell the end of […]
Ulster players named on the GAA Team of the Week
April 27, 2026
EIGHT Ulster players have been named in the latest Team of the Week. Down lead the way with four players – goalkeeper Ronan Burns, goal heroes Daniel Guinness and Micéal Rooney join man of the match Odhrán Murdock from their win over Donegal. Darragh McGurn’s 1-12 earns his a spot despite defeat at the hands […]