ULSTER SFC SEMI-FINAL Down v Armagh Saturday, 5.15pm, Clones By Shaun Casey A LOT can change inside 12 months, especially in the world of Gaelic football – and it’s been one whole year since Down and Armagh renewed their age-old rivalry that spans back much longer than any of us can remember. The two great foes […]
McNeice backs Armagh to secure back-to-back final appearances
By Shaun Casey MATTHEW McNeice guarded the goals for Armagh in Kieran McGeeney’s first-ever championship game as county manager back in 2015 when Rory Gallagher’s Donegal proved far too strong in the opening round of the Ulster Championship. Patrick McBrearty rattled the net early on and the Tir Chonaill men cruised to a nine-point victory […]
Down face vital visit of Donegal
By Michael McMullan DOWN minor manager Benny Coulter feels there is little to choose between the top seven teams in Ulster but knows it’s crunch weekend for his side. Donegal come to Páirc Esler on Saturday and it’s a must win game for Down if they are to have any chance of making the quarter-finals. […]
Armagh and Down name teams for Clones showdown
KIERAN McGeeney and Conor Laverty has named his side for Saturday’s Ulster SFC semi-final clash (Clones, 5.15pm). It’s an unchanged Armagh team from the win over Fermanagh but goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty has been named on the bench. Greg McCabe has also made a return ahead of what it a repeat of last year’s semi-final won […]
STEVEN POACHER: Down need variety for Orchard test
THE Ulster Championship last weekend felt like an extension of the National League – poor crowds, soft pitches and windy, wintery conditions. It was a far cry from the summer sod, when the sun is shining, the straw hats are out and the football is fast and intense. Down’s game with Antrim on Saturday was […]
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 ahead of Down’s visit of Antrim
By Michael McMullan THE Down and Antrim teams have been named ahead of Saturday’s Ulster SFC clash in Páirc Esler. Conor Laverty has made three changes from the team that lost to Westmeath including Ryan Johnston, Barry O’Hagan, who sustained a knee injury in their NFL win over Antrim in Newry last year, is on […]
Saint Smyth of the ‘Bridge – Charlie Smyth’s story
Mayobridge’s Charlie Smyth recently signed for NFL side New Orleans Saints. Michael McMullan spoke with two men who know him well, clubmate Tom O’Hare and former coach Philip McEvoy CHARLIE Smyth is in dreamland. Five years ago, a fresh-faced 17-year-old punched send on an email asking for a shot at the NFL. It took a […]