By Shaun Casey FOR the last number of seasons, Down have been more concerned about what’s happening below them than looking up in the Joe McDonagh Cup, but that has changed, Ronan Sheehan is happy to admit. After two rounds, they sit joint top of the table with Carlow and both sides put their winning […]
Down must back up Antrim result says Sheehan
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April 21, 2026
By Michael McMullan DOWN manager Ronan Sheehan says their victory over Antrim will be a waste of time if they don’t beat London on Sunday in their latest Joe McDonagh Cup group stage match. Now in his eighth season as manager, Down are in the competition for the sixth time since promotion after winning the Christy […]
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 […]
An exciting new challenge for Down
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January 20, 2026
By Michael McMullan THE Down camp are excited about this weekend’s return to top-flight hurling but manager Ronan Sheehan is aware of the challenge ahead. The Down manager says they will be favourites for relegation and underdogs in all their games, beginning on Saturday afternoon in Carlow. Sheehan also feels even though they beat Kildare […]
Review of the year in Down: More to come from Mourne men
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December 24, 2025
Mourne men on the rise RONAN Sheehan has done an absolutely fantastic job with Down hurlers, and while the championship didn’t go to plan for them, 2025 was still a year they will reflect on fondly. Next season, they will compete against the elite of hurling as they earned promotion to Division 1B, having won […]
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 […]
Antrim and Down still searching for their first points
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May 15, 2025
THE two top-ranked hurling teams in Ulster are still searching for their first positive result after three rounds of championship action. Antrim and Down have nothing to show for their efforts after three rounds of action in their respective competitions, and with only two games remaining, relegation could be in the pipeline for both teams. […]
Down focus shifts to McDonagh run-in
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May 9, 2025
By Michael McMullan DOWN manager Ronan Sheehan said the focus is on getting at least four points from their remaining three games in the Joe McDonagh Cup. After defeats to Carlow and Laois, the frontrunners for the title, Down face Westmeath on Saturday in Mullingar on the back of conceding 12 goals in two fixtures. […]