Karol Keating has been confirmed as the new manager of Down hurling heavyweights Portaferry – and Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean is included in his backroom team.

The two-time Olympian joins a management team that also includes Gavan Duffy (head coach), former Down boss Martin Mallon (selector/coach), Richard Murray (goalkeeping coach) and Stephen Conlan (strength and conditioning). Former Down and Ulster hurler Andy Savage is also part of his impressive backroom team.

A cousin of player Conor, Mageean will help the squad with performance and preparation as they aim to regain the Down title lost narrowly to Ballycran in 2021.

Keating, a regular on the poc fada circuit, helped Portaferry to a number of county titles as goalkeeper and in 2014 he was between the sticks as they claimed their first-ever Ulster crown.