By Shaun Casey WINNING is a habit, and that may be a cliched statement but for the Down footballers, that sentiment is seemingly ringing true. Conor Laverty’s side got their league campaign up and running with a win over Tipperary last weekend, although it was closer than it needed to be going down the stretch. […]
Down well placed for trip to Tipp
By Shaun Casey IT’S a long way to Tipperary, but it’s a longer trip home if the journey isn’t worthwhile. That’s how Down fans will feel this weekend as they flock in their droves towards Munster to support their team, and finally things are starting to look up. After a bleak, winless 2022, the Mourne […]
Wins for Down, Armagh and Tyrone in the McKenna Cup
THE Dr McKenna Cup began on Wednesday night with three group games to get the county scene up and running for 2023. Conor Laverty got his Down senior manager career off to a winning start with a 2-10 to 0-12 win over holders Monaghan in Castleblayney. Andrew Gilmore’s 15th minute goal had Down 1-6 to […]
McKenna Cup gets off to a midweek start
THE 2023 inter-county football season gets underway in Ulster on Wednesday night with three group games (all at 7.30pm) in the Dr McKenna Cup Castleblayney will host a clash between two managers cutting their teeth at inter-county level. Vinny Corey begins life as the Farney senior manager, with new Down manager Conor Laverty in the […]
Review of the year – Down
1 Things can only get better Things literally couldn’t have gone worse for Down last season and all of the Mourne County fans will be glad 2022 has run its course. James McCartan was appointed manager, filling the gap that couldn’t be filled, and had a torrid time at the helm. Down were relegated to […]
Fresh start for Down’s new faces
A COUPLE of days can make such a difference. On Sunday, October 16, Donagh McAleenan and Conor Laverty went to war as their two tribes, Warrenpoint and Kilcoo, battled it out for the Frank O’Hare Cup. Kilcoo, the Down kingpins, claimed their tenth county title in 11 years while the ‘Point left Páirc Esler empty handed, […]
Dates and venues confirmed for 2023 McKenna Cup
ULSTER GAA has revealed the full fixtures itinerary for the 2023 McKenna Cup, which is set to commence on Wednesday, January 4. Defending champions Monaghan begin their campaign on that evening against Down, with both teams under new management for the coming season. Each county will pay two group stage games, with the semi finals […]
The groups for the 2023 Dr McKenna Cup have been drawn
THE 2023 Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup draw was made on Tuesday night in Cookstown’s Glenavon Hotel. Champions Monaghan, under new manager Vinny Corey are grouped with last year’s runners up Donegal and Down who have Paddy Carr and Conor Laverty respectively in charge for the first time. Ulster champions Derry will face neighbours […]
Another battle of fine margins
Ulster Club SFC final Kilcoo v Glen Sunday, Athletic Grounds, 1pm By Michael McMullan WHEN Conor Glass kicked his ‘45 over the bar to put Glen ahead for the first time, early in extra-time, the Derry men looked to have turned the final corner. Kilcoo almost won last year’s semi-final in normal time until Emmett […]
Kilcoo’s comfort comes from years of practice
By Michael McMullan A LOOK at Kilcoo’s starting team from their win over Enniskillen. From the games they’ve played across the Down and Ulster championship, scores are dripping across every line. Niall Kane’s four points all came from placed balls. Every bother person has scored from play. Eugene Branagan didn’t start, but add in his […]