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The hurlers live to fight another day. They will play in the Joe McDonagh Cup in 2026 for the 6th consecutive year.

A return to the Christy Ring wouldn't have been disastrous, but with Down making the jump to Div 1, it is far better to avoid regressing.

It must be said, Down were well beat by Kildare yesterday, and only managed to stay up because Westmeath did them a favour and beat Kerry, meaning Down avoid relegation on the head to head.

It has not been a very good championship, with the only team Down beat being Kerry, and they shipped some big hidings against Laois and Carlow. 

There are several factors why Down are struggling at the moment, but I think one of the main issues is the lack of depth. Things are a lot better than they were, but all it takes is 2 or 3 injuries and Down can be seriously stretched thin.

We simply need more clubs and more players. I see Bryansford are introducing hurling, and are starting social hurling sessions from next Sunday. This is great. We already have Saul and Clann Mhúrn participating at underage, so another potential hurling club will be a great boost to the county.

I see Ardglass have also taken advantage of the GAA Hurling Club Starter Packs. I don't know anything about how they're getting on, but it will hopefully be great to see hurling back in Ardglass and will be another big boost.

Hopefully come next year, Down have a full squad, and are able to compete. Kildare have found themselves in a McDonagh Final. They are a similar standard to Down. Down beat them twice in the league. There is no reason Down can't make the next step.

It has been a disappointing championship, but with McDonagh status retained, we can't be too unhappy with our lot.

I'm not an expert on the matter, but in my experience I'm not sure how much is done to accommodate players.

The example I would use is last year, Clonduff had a hurling championship match and a football championship match scheduled on the same day, an hour or two apart, in two different parishes.

That certainly doesnt lend itself to dual players, or perhaps even more so, players who would like to play both but are turned off the idea because they don't see how it is feasible.

There's plenty of examples of football training on a Monday night when hurling should be played and vice versa for a Friday, but that's down to poor communication and clashes at club level.

I do like it that the GAA was established to promote and encourage all Gaelic Games. I'd be a very big proponent that in an ideal world , every club should offer their players the chance to play all Gaelic Games.

Last outing of the year for the hurlers today. Away to Kildare.

They beat Kildare in the league, and then again in the league final, but since then they have been on two very different trajectories, with Down shipping some heavy losses, getting their first win of the competition against Kerry last week, whilst Kildare have put themselves in a good position to make a final. They have beaten both 'big' teams, Carlow and Laois, with their only loss coming against, ironically, Kerry.

These teams know each other inside out by now, and it could go either way, but hopefully Down manage to get the win and retain their Joe McDonagh status.

A Westmeath win over Kerry will go a long way to helping Down, too.

Why deny players the opportunity to play both codes?

Every step should be taken to not only accommodate players playing both codes, but to promote it. There's enough days in the year to avoid clashes, whatever way you look at it.

Hurlers finally got up and running with a win over Kerry today.

Let's hope it's not too little, too late.

Down beating Kildare in the final round, and Westmeath beating Kerry, would ensure Down avoid relegation, I think.

Well done to the hurlers today.  League titles are thin on the ground up here.

They responded well in both halfs when Kildare got their goals, in particular at the start of the second half.

CT was good for the whole game, my motm, no doubt Tom McGrattan is in with a shout and took his goals well will always grab the headlines.

Roll on Div1B.

The hurlers have taken two big beatings so for in the Joe McDonagh and the mood within the camp isn't good by all accounts..

We could well be looking at relegation to the Christy Ring if the whole group don't start pulling together and soon.

Where did this implosion from the hurlers come from in these two games? Especially after such a good league campaign. Carlow and Laois obviously 1B League teams but are we going to massively out of our depth in the higher league tier next year?

Yes, Carlow and Laois are a step above anything Down have faced in a competitive game this year (they did play Laois in a friendly earlier in the year) and it's not unexpected to be beat by both teams, the manner of the defeats is another thing, and the players response to the defeats isn't good either.


There may have been a clearing of the air this week and hopefully they can all refocus to face Westmeath in Mullingar on the 10th, another Div1B team even if they were relegated, they'll be used to playing at a higher standard than Down so everyone needs to be pulling in the same direction.

What's been the craic in the hurlers? Is the mood in the camp poor? I haven't had the chance to follow the championship this year.

I haven't been to any of the games, but they have been bad score lines. To be honest though, I wasn't totally surprised. They went very hard at the league, and there's only so much you can do before you burn out.

Beating Westmeath is essential after they lost to Kildare. Returning to the Christy Ring would be massively disappointing, although if it gives Down the chance to try new players, new tactics, new game plans, etc., and play more competitive games, it will not be all bad. But let's hope it doesn't come to that.

I was told there's been a bad run of injuries to some key players.

What has been the response from the players to the defeats?

Well done to the U20s on winning another All Ireland B, beating Tyrone at the weekend. Things seem to be on the up domestically, within the county.

Too early to even worry about Div 1 next year, but it's where we want, and need, to be.

Massive well done to the hurlers yesterday.

Did very well to come back after Kildare put the pressure on.

It's been a great league. Absolutely delighted that Down have finally got that monkey off their back after knocking on the door for past couple years.

A McDonagh Cup and a place in the Leinster Championship next year would go well with it. But we'll worry about that in a few weeks.

Looking forward to Division 1 next year and seeing Down against the likes of Clare, Dublin, Wexford, and Antrim.

Massive congratulations to all players, management, and everyone involved. Did the county proud over this league campaign.

Best of luck to the hurlers in the League Final against Kildare tomorrow.

Whilst promotion is already secured, a bit of silverware would be nice.

Down beat Kildare in the first round of the league, but there is never much between these two sides and it will be a tough match to say the least. Kildare have been a bogey team for Down for a few years now, but Down won't fear them one bit.

The last time Down reached this stage in 2022 they were beaten by a goal scoring Westmeath team in Thurles. Down have certainly kicked on again since then, and are more than capable to put Kildare to the sword.

I would encourage as many people as possible to take a run out and lend their support. The match is at Inniskeen in Monaghan, at 13:30. That's about what? A half hour drive from Newry? It's certainly a lot closer to home for many in Down than Ballycran is.

I would not be surprised if Kildare supporters well outnumber Down supporters. If anybody is curious as about the Down hurlers, tomorrow is as good a time as any to go and have a look. Big game, close to home, against good opposition.

In 2022, the final was in Thurles and was played before the Div 1 final. It is disappointing to not have that this year. But it is certainly logistically and practically better for Down.

Down have been on fire so far this year. Hopefully tomorrow continues this trend.

Down leagues starting this weekend- Any Predictions for Division winners/ Relegation 

D1- Winners- Carryduff
  - relegated- Ballyholland/ Downpatrick

D2- Promoted -Bredagh/Glenn/ Bryansford
  - relegated- St Johns/ Drumgath

D3- Promoted Liatroim/ Banbridge
  -relegated Bosco/ Dromara

Division 4- Promoted-Teconnaught

Glenn for back-to-back promotions seems a real possibility.

Drumgath to join the list of senior championship clubs playing Division 3?

Will say Annaclone will get promoted from Div 3.

Bitterly disappointing for the footballers to go straight back Down to Division 3. A lot of positives about this season, and it did look like promotion could have been on the cards.

Ultimately, the Cavan game was what cost Down.

Good to beat Cork for the first time since the 2010 Final, and good to get a win in Clones- somewhere Down haven't had a good track record in over the past few years.

There's a lot of potential, but I think there are plenty of key positions that still need to be filled. Where you find the players to fill them is another question...

Disappointing for the hurlers last week. Suffered their first loss of the year, away to a Meath side still in the hunt for promotion.

Were well behind at halftime, but managed to reign the Royals back in, and it looked like it could have been there for the taking with a Down goal in the 72nd minute, but Meath put a free over with the last puck of the game to put the game out of reach.

Probably nothing to be too concerned about. Down already have a league final to prepare for, as well as the McDonagh Cup, and it was not a full strength Down team.

In saying that, it's still disappointing. Antrim and Carlow are realistically games Down will want to target next year to retain Division 1 status. There will be a big step up. I know it was a weakened Down team, but there will a good few of our key players on the field.

But I wouldn't be too concerned. No doubt there will be some serious work done before 2026.

Kildare beat Meath by 10 today, and will meet Down in the Division 2 final- a repeat of the first round meeting, which Down won.

Last game of the league before the final against Meath today for the hurlers.

Doesn't matter for Down, but I think if Meath win they can keep their promotion hopes alive.

Would have liked to see a younger/more developmental side named- I think going forward it is very important Down expand their depth- but it is a strong team named to have been playing well, with a few fringe players named.

Great to see players from Newry, Carryduff, Ballela, Warrenpoint, and Castlewellan named on the bench. Hopefully they get some game time today. McGreevy and Connolly played as well as anybody in the junior championship last year, so good to see players from that level involved with the county setup.

Meath were flying about 5 or 6 years ago, and caused Down plenty of problems back in the Christy Ring.

Hopefully Down keep the momentum going.

I am assuming the home games will be in Ballycran.

I understand that. Ballycran has been more than good to Down over the years. It is a fortress, Down are rarely beat there.

It is a massive pity though. It would be a great exhibition to potentially have the Munster/Leinster/All Ireland Champions in Newry.

It's not out of the realms of possibility to say the footballers could be in Div 3 next year. If the powers that be have any sort of cop on, they'd arrange double headers against Wexford, Clare and Antrim (assuming all results go to form, all these teams will be in Division 3 football and Division 1 hurling). Would do everybody a world of good.

Hopefully the hurlers get at least one game in Newry, but I'd say Ballycran is more likely.

An amazing day for Down Hurling.

Division 1 for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Delighted.

It's no secret here how tough things can be in the Down hurling world, so a massive congratulations to all the players, management, and anyone involved with the teams.

We spent so long stuck in Division 2B, and finally broke through that glass ceiling. To get promoted 5 years later- after many people would have tipped Down to be relegated- is admirable.

I remember when we won 2B, Antrim won 2A the same year. I was delighted for them, but I remember thinking, 'wouldn't that be great.' A great day.

Down didn't make it easy on themselves, but they'll not worry too much about that now.

There's no two ways about it- Division 1 is going to be a big step up. But this is where we want to be. In all likelihood we'll be playing Clare- the All Ireland Champions. I know it's the league, but who cares? This is the next step for Down.

It's too early to know if Down will manage to stay up. In all likelihood, Kildare will be promoted with us. That's a game Down definitely can target. Antrim and Carlow are two good sides, but Down have beaten both in recent years. Sustaining Division 1 status is not out of the realms of possibility. But we'll worry about that next year.

Couldn't ask for much more this year. A lot of sons on that team as mentioned above. Good to see hurlers from Carryduff, Warrenpoint, Ballela, and other teams also included though.

A great day for Down. They have done us all proud. A lot of work has been put in over the past few years, and it really is paying off. I hope having our hurlers competing against the top teams inspires more people to take up the small ball, or to get their kids involved. The fact Down have reached this level with so few resources is testament to the dedication and quality in this small hurling world.

Up Down.

Down had a massive victory over Tyrone last weekend. 9-26 to 0-13. And it probably could have been a higher score if Down were a little more ruthless.

It has massively boosted the points difference as you would expect.

What is the biggest win for Down hurlers? It surely can't be too far off that?

Wasn't that long ago we were on the receiving end of a similar beating against Laois.

It's not a nice thing to do to a team- we know what it feels like better than anyone. But look, the job's done. There seems to be a lot of things going right in Tyrone, and that was the first time they were blown away all year. Hopefully it does them no real damage. Good to see hurling growing across Ulster.

Beat Kerry tomorrow, and Down will be back in Division 1 for the first time in nearly 20 years.

I think Derry beating Meath today has done Down a bit of a favour, but ultimately, Down's future is in their own hands tomorrow.

Tralee is not an easy place to go, but Down and Kerry have been tit for tat over the years, and despite Kerry's bad form as of late, I'm still expecting a battle.

All the talk at the start of the year was of Kerry's Fionán Mackessy lining out for Kilkenny. Undoubtably a loss, and I see Shane Conway hasn't been named to start tomorrow, but there are plenty of hurlers in Kerry who have been a thorn in the side of this Down team before.

It's a tough place to go, and Down haven't the best record in the Kingdom, but Down will know what is required. We have Kerry at home in the championship as far as I'm aware, and whilst it's always a good marker to play them in the league to compare, there a bigger things on the line tomorrow.

Best of luck to the team and management. One last push. Up Down.