By Michael McMullan IT was a weekend to remember at Croke Park for Down hurling with their u-20s winning a second All-Ireland B title in three seasons. For manager Connor O’Prey, it was a satisfying way to finish the season and lays another layer of concrete on the county’s foundations. “You only get to enjoy […]
Down hurlers are ready for trip to the Kingdom
April 27, 2024
By Niall Gartland DOWN hurling boss Ronan Sheehan (pictured) hopes that his side can take a massive step towards Joe McDonagh Cup survival – and possibly more – when they venture to the deep south for their round two match against Kerry this Sunday. Sheehan’s side got their campaign off to a winning start with victory over […]
Taggart taking it all in his stride
February 15, 2024
By Shaun Casey STANDING in at corner-back as a young and fresh 19-year-old, Portaferry’s Caolan Taggart thought every year was going to be like this. Win the county title, pick up a provincial crown, and give the All-Ireland series a crack. Unfortunately, sports rarely follow such easy plans. That was back in 2014 when Taggart […]
Donegal and Down to fight for early season silverware
January 11, 2024
By Niall McCoy THE last two champions, Donegal and Down, will battle it out for some early season silverware in the Conor McGurk final at the Dub on Saturday. It’s the third straight final for Mickey McCann’s Tir Chonaill side who lifted the trophy for the first time last year after a five-goal final display […]
Familiar foes set for blockbuster Down SHC final
October 19, 2023
By Niall Gartland BALLYCRAN and Portaferry is the final many in Down hurling circles expected, it’s becoming somewhat of a norm at this stage. When they clash in Newry on Sunday it will be the sixth time in-a-row that they have battled it out for the Jeremiah McVeagh Cup with the ‘Cran holding a 3-2 […]
Down aiming to build confidence
May 6, 2023
By Kieran Lynch DOWN haven’t enjoyed the easiest of seasons to this point, and whilst Sunday’s upcoming clash against Carlow won’t impact their Joe McDonagh Cup status, it’s a chance to build confidence and momentum ahead of a relegation decider in round five. The Mourne County have yet to win a competitive fixture in 2023, […]
Fixture details for All-Ireland B-20 B hurling semi-finals
April 5, 2023
ULSTER rivals Derry and Down have been kept apart in the semi-finals of the All-Ireland U-20 B hurling championship next weekend. The Oakleafers were 3-21 to 1-8 winners over Donegal on Wednesday night at Owenbeg with Down seeing off Wicklow (3-26 to 1-12) on Sunday thanks to an impressive display from Finn Turpin Derry now […]
Performance the priority for Down against Offaly
February 3, 2023
By Niall Gartland DOWN boss Ronan Sheehan says they’ve adopted a stoic approach to their league opener against Offaly in Sunday’s Division 2A opener. The Leinster side are new to the second-tier following last year’s relegation, but Sheehan is more conscious about the departure of some Down stalwarts, some temporary and some permanent, and what […]
Pre-season hurling action continues
January 19, 2023
By Shaun Casey THE pre-season hurling competitions continue this weekend for Down and Antrim, who are involved in the Walsh and Kehoe Cups respectively. Both counties also entered Ulster’s preseason tournament, the McGurk Cup, so plenty of players earned lots of game time. Last year’s Joe McDonagh Cup winners Antrim take on Galway on Saturday, […]
A season of ups and downs for the Down hurlers
December 2, 2022
By Shaun Casey THE 2022 season was a roller-coaster ride for Down hurling and was quite literally a year of highs and lows. The Mourne men topped the Division Two league table but produced their worst performance of the year in the league final against Westmeath. A huge win over Kerry followed in the McDonagh […]