By Michael McMullan DOWN hurlers were dealt a significant blow with the loss of Tom McGrattan but manager Ronan Sheehan looks at the bigger picture. The Portaferry man, named on this year’s Gaelic Life hurling team of the season, sustained a season-ending ACL injury in training. McGrattan missed their Joe McDonagh Cup defeat to Laois. […]
Down hurlers must bounce back with the visit of Laois
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April 25, 2025
By Michael McMullan DOWN hurlers don’t have much time to lick their wounds after shipping five second half goals in defeat to Carlow on Saturday as the Joe McDonagh Cup swung into action. They’ll host Laois on Saturday afternoon in Ballycran (1.30pm) hoping to pull their championship ambitions back on track. Ronan Sheehan’s side went […]
Down turn attention to championship
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April 17, 2025
By Shaun Casey THE celebrations and claps on the back for gaining promotion and getting their hands on the Division Two league title will long be forgotten about when Down line out at Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday afternoon. Ronan Sheehan and his men will have put an unbelievable league campaign behind them as they […]
Sheehan savouring Down’s league success
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April 3, 2025
By Shaun Casey WITH 40 minutes played, Down’s hopes of a National League title looked well and truly dashed but Ronan Sheehan never lost faith in his men and they rallied to come good see off Kildare by seven points. Two goals at the start of the second half from the Lilywhites left Down eight adrift […]
Keith ready for shot at silverware
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March 28, 2025
By Shaun Casey IT’S three weeks since Down defeated Kerry and sealed their spot in Division 1B for next season, but their league campaign isn’t quite complete yet and the team are looking forward to competing in this weekend’s Division 2A league final, says goalkeeper Stephen Keith. The Mourne men will join Kildare in the […]
Taggart revels in Down ascension
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March 15, 2025
By Shaun Casey WITH promotion to Division 1B secured for next year and a league final to look forward to, Down could be excused for taking their foot off the gas ahead of their final round clash with Meath, but Caolan Taggart insists that won’t be the case. Having stormed through the Division 2A league, […]
Down embracing pressure as promotion comes into view
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March 8, 2025
By Shaun Casey WITH Division One hurling at their fingertips, there will be a pleasant mix of nerves and excitement in the Down changing room this weekend, but there’s a difference in pressure and anticipation says boss Ronan Sheehan. Like all the other weekends the Mourne men have played in so far this season, they’re only […]
Down heavy favourites for Ulster derby victory
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March 1, 2025
By Shaun Casey DOWN will be aiming to extend their winning streak in Division Two when they welcome Ulster rivals Tyrone Ballycran on Sunday afternoon and take another massive leap towards promotion and Division One hurling. Of the three games played so far in the campaign, Down have won all three, including two other Ulster […]
Taggart: Down not getting carried away
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February 22, 2025
By Shaun Casey DOWN won’t be getting carried away in promotion talk just yet and defender Caolan Taggart is just taking the league week-by-week and knows anything can change at any given time. Ronan Sheehan’s Mourne men have made an impressive start to their Division Two campaign and picked up three victories on the trot, seeing […]
Down keeping eyes on final spot
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February 8, 2025
By Michael McMullan TWO gone. Three more to go. That’s how Down hurling manager Ronan Sheehan is looking at his side’s target of getting to the Division Two final. They took plenty from an opening day win over Kildare. Two ruthless seven-minute spells sunk Derry on Saturday and they welcome Donegal to Ballycran this weekend. […]