From Down to Shunde: A story of GAA progress


In our latest look at the GAA scene overseas, we take a look at the story of four Down men and Shunde Gaels in China By Michael McMullan IT’S a long way from Castlewellan to Shunde, south of Guangzhou and north west of Shenzhen on the Southern tip of China. That’s where Castlewellan’s Ciarán McCann, […]


Down creep into the last four


ULSTER SFC Down 0-13 Antrim 0-9 By Michael McMullan THREE points from Oisin Savage helped Down steer clear of Antrim on Saturday night in Páirc Esler. Advertisement The Saffrons won the toss and played with the wind but went in at half-time 0-6 to 0-3 in arrears. There were yellow cards for Joe Finnegan and […]


Keeping the head down


Dermot McAleese missed six games in the middle of last season but is back in full flow and hoping for a complete Antrim performance on Saturday in Newry. He spoke with Michael McMullan DERMOT McAleese has always been the same. Quiet and modest off the pitch. Inside the whitewash, he is always front and centre. […]


Team news for Down’s Croke Park clash with Westmeath


By Michael McMullan CONOR Laverty has named an unchanged team for Saturday’s National League final against Westmeath at Croke Park (7.15pm). It’s a rematch of the recent drawn encounter in Mullingar when a late Ryan McEvoy points earned Down a share of the spoils. McEvoy is one of seven players to have started all of […]


PREVIEW: Down can end wait for silverware


By Niall Gartland IT was quite a line – last weekend Leitrim boss Andy Moran issued a defiant rebuttal to those who call for the league finals to be consigned to the dustbin of history. Moran, whose team play in the Division Four showdown this Saturday, said “I heard a lot of noise during the […]


BREAKING: Smyth signs NFL deal


CHARLIE Smyth has signed a deal with NFL side New Orleans Saints, NFL Ireland are reporting. The Mayobridge man, an u-20 winning goalkeeper with Down, was invited to try out with the Saints this week. The move came after impressing at an NFL combine in Indianapolis earlier in the month in front of scouts from the […]


Smyth to work out with the Saints


CHARLIE Smyth’s chances of securing a NFL contract have been given a further boost with the news he will train with New Orleans Saints later this week, NFL Ireland are reporting. The Mayobridge man, who was a Ulster u-20 winner with Down, was has been in America as part of the IPP (International Player Pathway) […]


Down hoping to get off the Laois


By Michael McMullan DOWN are fully aware of the reward for beating Laois on Saturday, insists Eoghan Sands. Before a ball was pucked this season and in light of the new format for the National League in 2025, the Down camp targeted a league final. The winners from Saturday will not only play Carlow in […]