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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.

It's never a bad thing to have 1 or 2 quality players, but depending on them too much is a risky strategy.

The u17s sounds like it was handled much like an after thought to be honest.

Going off both performances against Antrim, there's a work to be done yet.

 

Best of luck to the U20s against Antrim tomorrow in the Ulster Final.

The minors were well beat in the same fixture last week.

There's clearly work that still has to be done before we can match Antrim at underage.

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.