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Hurlers in the last home game of the league tomorrow. Hosting Tyrone in Ballycran.

Im looking forward to this novel pairing.

Tyrone have made some serious progress, but they're bottom of the league whilst Down are on top. Im not expecting Down to walk it, but it is important Down pick up the points.

I haven't seen a team sheet, but the management have 2 options: do they name a normal starting XV and aim to get the best possible score difference in case things go pear shaped in Tralee or Trim, or do they start a team of young or fringe players and give them the chance to get some competitive game time.

Personally, I would like to see players from smaller/junior clubs involved tomorrow. Every club has at least one or two fellas who could be a great addition to the county. Connolly from Castlewellan, McGreevy from Ballela, Malone from Ballyvarley, Beggs from the Point- players like these could develop even further in the county set up, and it would be a good opportunity tomorrow for them to get game time. We need more players to feature from outside the traditional clubs, and not just for the sake of it. We need them for what they can actually bring to the table.

I don't think it'll happen, but it would be great to see.

Tyrone have really kicked on, and they've shown they won't lie down. Always great to see an Ulster team in Ballycran. They haven't quite reached the level of Down or Antrim yet, but they'll be happy with their season.

Would recommend anyone interested to take a look at this match. Hopefully it should show what Down can do.

Kerry did us a favour today beating Meath, meaning we are the only undefeated team in the division. Delighted with how things have been going so far, and hopefully Down can keep the heads down and march closer to Division One.

Also best of luck to the minors tomorrow in the final against Antrim in Ballycastle. It'll be tough but would be great boost if they could get the win.



Sickened for the footballers. As has been said, it's nearly worse because all those games could have been won on another day. Correct me if I'm wrong, but technically, relegation isn't inevitable- although it is out of Downs' hands.

Down have seriously come on in 3 or 4 years. But they still have a long, long way to go it would seem. There's a lot of potential in Down football. How it is utilised is the question.

It is a pity the game was cancelled, but it is what it is. Despite not playing, Down are still well clear at the top of Division 2, with the most points, best scoring difference, and head-to-head over second placed Kildare.

What a result for Donegal. Amazing for them. The work that seems to be going on is very admirable.

Looking forward now to the novel pairing of Down v Tyrone. Despite being yet to record a win in the league, Tyrone have been impressive. They'll not lie down.


Unfortunate for the footballers. It's frustrating as there hasn't been a single game where they seemed out of their depth. Relegation will not do them any good at all, and hopefully victory in next few rounds will ensure Division 2 football next year. 

It is only a few weeks ago it looked like Down could potentially make it back to back promotions. Things have improved a lot in the past couple of years.

Hurlers away to Meath this weekend in a top of the table clash.

Very important Down don't take their foot off now. They are in very good form, and need to keep it up. Down and Meath are the only undefeated teams left in the league- and it could be a tricky game for Down.

On paper, Down are favourites. Meath looked in danger against both Donegal and Down in their opening games, and whilst Down didn't shoot the lights out in the last round, they always looked comfortable.

But, things are never that simple. Meath won't fear Down. It is not that long ago they were a bogey team for Down, and beat Down well in the 2019 Christy Ring Final.

However, things have changed since then. Down have managed to retain Division 2 and Joe McDonagh status at the expensive of Meath in recent years.

Down certainly seem to be going well at the moment. Meath are more than capable of making an upset, but hopefully Down are able to tackle this challenge in a similar way they did with Donegal, Derry, and Kildare.

Best of luck also to the minors and the u20s who are both away to Derry this weekend.

you have it well sold there!

Haha!

It's the sort of thing you can make a day out of when you have the kids with you.

Lots to do and see on the way there and back 

My wee lad is always asking why we don't go to down hurling games.

You should take him. I understand depending on where you're coming from, it can be a hike, and it's not feasible to do it every week, but if you can make a day of it, why not try it and see what you think?

The last home game is against Tyrone next Sunday in Ballycran. Not to be too confident, but Down will be big favourites. You could make a day out of it. Kids love the buzz of getting the boat, could drive back round and stop at Scrabo Tower depending on where you're coming from/going to?

Alternatively, with any luck, Down will be in the league final in a few weeks time. But we'll not get ahead of ourselves.

Great for any fella in Down to see the hurlers and see what they can aspire to.

Both about an hour and a half drive. Much the same according to Google Maps.

The last intercounty hurling game I remember in Newry was when Down knocked Offaly out of the Christy Ring in 2020.

I understand why Ballycran is used, and Down typically seem to perform well there, but I do think basing the hurling there is preventing it from getting exposure.

Ballycran surely must be the most eastern club in Ireland? Great club, with great facilities, but you can't expect many people to drive so far away to watch the hurlers.

I would like to see it moved around a bit. With a bit of advertising, and perhaps some sort of double headers, etc., a lot more people would go and watch and see what it's like.

I know Down played McGurk cup games in Downpatrick in recent years- I think that could be a good starting point. Still close to the Ards Peninsula, but a lot easier got to for everyone else.

People will say it shouldn't be played there as there is no hurling in Downpatrick (which I would disagree with), but I would suggest Liatroim in that case.

Regardless, changing things about would do no harm.

We need a big support on Sunday, this is a vital game for us.

In Trim?

Drogheda, Sunday at 2.30

Trim, Sunday, 1:15pm.

Very vital game - as is the football - but a good performance here and Down will be within touching distance of playing Division One hurling next year.

Trim could maybe even be easier for some around Newry/South Down to get to than Ballycran?

All tongue in cheek, and I wouldn't be expecting a huge crowd at the hurling.

In all seriousness, it is very poor that the footballers and hurlers have been arranged to play at nearly the same time in two different counties. Down is one of the few counties to have had dual county players in recent years. Not sure of the situation this year, but it would be a pity if any dual players had to choose.

Really something could have been arranged so that Down and Meath could play a double header, the same way Derry and Tyrone had. Would have gave some people a chance to see the hurlers who may not have seen them before, and would have helped both attendances I'm sure.

Hurlers host Donegal tomorrow in the league/ Revived Ulster Hurling Championship. 

Looking forward to this one.

Expecting a Down victory. Going very well and have to keep the pressure on. But Donegal could be another banana peel.

They beat Down in the McGurk final last year. A preseason tournament, yes, but they still beat Down. They'll not forget that tomorrow. There's also some very gifted hurlers there. McKinney is as talented as anyone in Ulster, for example.

On paper, Down should be coming away with the points tomorrow. But it really is cut throat in this division, and let's hope Down can keep up the good form.

Also, hard luck to the u20s who narrowly lost out to Antrim today. Good performance. Hopefully a good year in store.

On the U20's, they were beat out the gate at U17 with this group so to get to within 2 of Antrim is progress and with the management still finding their feet in terms of team layout there's hope for this group.

10 of the starting 15 are eligible again next year so they really need to be pushing on then.


Seniors struggled with the physicality of Donegal, but job done.

Kerry put Derry to the sword and that game will tell us more about this Down team.

The u20s did well to reign Antrim in after the hiding the Saffrons had previously given Derry. Hopefully there's a lot of potential in this group and they have some big things in store further down the line.

Seniors beat Donegal without too much to write home about, but Donegal certainly had opportunities to make Down sweat. They will rue their chances such as the missed penalty, but they are doing well at this level, and seem to have caught up to Derry. They will be looking to kick on in the coming years.

Down weren't at their best, but still came away with a 9 point win. They never really looked in danger, and probably could have put the foot down if needed be. There were a lot of missed chances- a lot of very scorable wides, and a few missed goal opportunities. Down got away with it on Sunday- they'll not get away with it in the future and it will need to be sorted.

But, there's a lot to be happy about. Down were without some key men for a lot, if not all, of the match (Sands, the McCrickards, Sheehan, etc.), used a lot of subs, and were still comfortable. The depth in the panel is amazing compared to what it was ten years ago, and hopefully it continues to grow in the coming years.

I've said it since the start of the year, but surely Beatty should be a regular starter after that performance. Set up the first goal and scored the next two. Very good player.

Second placed Meath away next will be tricky. It was not that long away they were something of a bogey team for Down, and they'll certainly be fancying a scalp given how they've performed so far. Down will need to do the basics right that day, but hopefully the good form continues.

Down are well ahead at the top of the table, but there is still plenty of time for things to go pear shaped. Down have been very impressive so far this year, and hopefully they keep stepping closer to Division One.

Tough day for the hurlers against Wicklow yesterday. There were times Armagh seemed like they might kick on, but Wicklow were just superior.

A lot of potential for Armagh to be performing at a higher level than they are currently. I wonder what has to be done for them to do so?

Good performance from the hurlers against Meath. Were leading and looked like a shock may have been on the cards, but Meath pulled away in the second half.

Whilst Tyrone still haven't got a win, and very likely won't get one against Down, Kerry, or Kildare, they have done well I think this year. Put in some good performances, and are definitely going in the right direction.

Disappointing for the hurlers against Kerry yesterday. Was expecting Kerry to win, but thought it would be alot closer given the way they were dismantled by Kildare.

Two heavy defeats in a row now for Derry, and Kildare in the next round could be a similar story is their luck doesn't change soon.

It's been a disappointing year so far for Derry. I'm sure they'll improve as the year goes on, but there are some great clubs with top hurlers in the county. What is the thing that will take them to the next level?

Hurlers host Donegal tomorrow in the league/ Revived Ulster Hurling Championship. 

Looking forward to this one.

Expecting a Down victory. Going very well and have to keep the pressure on. But Donegal could be another banana peel.

They beat Down in the McGurk final last year. A preseason tournament, yes, but they still beat Down. They'll not forget that tomorrow. There's also some very gifted hurlers there. McKinney is as talented as anyone in Ulster, for example.

On paper, Down should be coming away with the points tomorrow. But it really is cut throat in this division, and let's hope Down can keep up the good form.

Also, hard luck to the u20s who narrowly lost out to Antrim today. Good performance. Hopefully a good year in store.

Big win for the hurlers today up in Owenbeg.

A good spread of scorers too.

Sets them up well for promotion to 1B.

Great win for the hurlers. Almost a 20 point win over Derry, in Derry. 

Almost every forward got on the scoreboard, as did a few of the backs. Didn't concede any goals, which is a rare enough thing in a game of hurling. Very complete performance. Delighted.

Was nervous going into this game, but Down look to be in very good form at the minute.  Leaves Down top of Div 2,  with both a very strong points difference, and head-to-head advantage over second placed Kildare.

I was surprised at how Kildare hammered Kerry. Kerry will need to beat Down to keep their promotion hopes alive, so there will be a target on Down's back, but we'll worry about that in a few weeks.

Next up is Donegal at home. After the first few rounds, will be expecting a Down victory, but it could be tricky enough. Donegal have improved massively in the past few years. Perhaps the most improved team in Ulster, and a few very handy players. Beat Down in the McGurk final last year, so it's not out of the realms of possibility.

But we've a lot to be hopeful about. Division One hurling is looking a real possibility. Carlow beating Waterford shows teams of our level can compete.  A lot of good work being done around the county.


Well done to the footballers. Delighted.  Some turn around. Hopefully this is the start of better things for the big ball. First time they've beat Cork since the 2010 All Ireland loss is it? Never a bad thing to beat Cork after that

Great to see a bit of chat and a bit of buzz about the football again. It's been missed the past couple of years.

Hurlers start their league campaign away to Roscommon tomorrow. No two ways about it- it'll be a tough game. Roscommon are a team Armagh have struggled with in recent years.

Armagh should be hoping to get promoted to Div 2 this year, but it could be tricky. They could easily find themselves in Div 4, either.

Will be an interesting year.

I think Donegal are a bit ahead of Tyrone at the moment, but both have come on leaps and bounds in the past few years and Tyrone are catching up with them.

Tyrone surprised me with how close they got to Derry, so who knows what they may have in store this year.

Realistically, the games Tyrone should be targeting now to stay up are Donegal (Away) and Meath (Home).

I'd say Roscommon in Div 3 are of a fairly similar standard to Tyrone, and if Armagh get their house in order they could be, too, but yes I agree that I would expect Tyrone to beat the majority of teams in Div 3.

Tyrone have come on well in previous seasons, and getting to Div 2 is a massive achievement. The quality of hurling in Ulster is certainly rising.

I think we definitely need to have conversations about bringing back the Ulster Championship given the progress.