By Shaun Casey SATURDAY evening was a difficult one for Newry native Steven Poacher. He brought his Leitrim side to Páirc Esler, plotting the downfall of his own county, Down. Poacher was short a number of key men, namely Barry McNulty and Tom Prior, and while they were just four points adrift at half time […]
Donnelly proud of Down’s resilience
May 18, 2026
By Shaun Casey DOWN bounced back from their crushing Ulster Championship exit with a comfortable victory over Leitrim in the opening round of the Tailteann Cup, and selector Mickey Donnelly was proud of the “resilience” the Mourne men showed. From the highs of beating Division One league champions Donegal in Letterkenny to the unthinkable lows […]
From the archives: Down advance in Ulster, league success for Clare and Galway
May 16, 2026
10 YEARS AGO CRUCIAL points from Tony Kelly made the difference as Clare reeled in Waterford in the Division One final replay. The Banner County came from three points down in the closing minutes to snatch an incredible victory and dethrone last year’s champions with Kelly landing two injury-time points. There was a moment of controversy […]
UPDATED: The 2026 Tailteann Cup draw
May 11, 2026
By Michael McMullan THE draw for Rounds 2A and 2B of the Tailteann Cup have been made with all three Ulster counties kept apart. Antrim and Fermanagh booked their places in the winners’ pot for Round 1A after wins over Carlow and Longford respectively. Antrim will host Tipperary who beat the Saffrons in the league […]
Down camog Saoirse Sands battling on many fronts
May 7, 2026
By Michael McMullan DOWN’S Saoirse Sands has played enough camogie to know what’s at stake in Friday’s Ulster final with reigning champions Antrim in Cargin. The Portaferry star has been looking on from the outside as her teammates prepare for another decider. A troublesome knee problem was diagnosed as the dreaded ACL injury and she […]
Sheehan glad to look up against goal-hungry Carlow
May 6, 2026
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 […]
Ulster players on GAA team of the week
May 5, 2026
EIGHT Ulster players have been named on the latest GAA team of the week. Armagh and Monaghan booked their place in the Ulster final with wins over Down and Derry. Rory Beggan’s two-pointer sent M0naghan through after extra time. He joins Dessie Ward and captain Mícheál Bannigan in the side. Advertisement Armagh trio Jarly Óg […]
Down need to check in on the hunger ahead of the Tailteann Cup
May 4, 2026
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
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. […]