Down Club Hurling & Football

[Splash]

Off the top of my head, the most obvious would be An Riocht/Clann Mhúrn. Have a good underage set up by the looks of things, already camogie in the club, and there isn't a single hurling outlet for lads in that region of Down. Closest club for the area would probably be the Point or Hilltown which could be near a half hour drive each way.

Downpatrick would be another one.  Massive population and no hurling outlet in the town. Same could be said for Bryansford, but Downpatrick has the logistical benefit of being in a closer proximity to the majority of hurling clubs in the county, which would make things a lot easier. The Red High won a Mageean Cup a few years ago, so it wouldn't be that hard surely to build links with schools, etc.

I would say Darragh Cross. They had a relatively strong hurling team until fairly recently. Also field a camogie team. Wouldn't have the resources of other clubs, but there is a hurling tradition there I  think could be revived.

St Paul's in Holywood has an ever growing membership, and it appears to me that clubs in North Down are generally more receptive to introducing hurling than South Down clubs. Actually was having this conversation with a man from St Paul's about a year ago, and Holywood hurling is maybe not as far away as it seems.

St Kevin's is a club that exclusively field in camogie. I see no reason why they shouldn't also be a hurling club. I do remember hearing they wanted to start a hurling team a couple years ago, but the County Board said no.

On top of this, any club that has a camogie team I think really should have the ability to get 15 lads together to hurl. To the best of my knowledge, Mayobridge, Ballyholland, and Kilcoo all play in the senior camogie championship. Im not saying next year they could put out strong hurling teams, but the work is obviously being done at underage with the girls- surely it could be offered to lads too? Goes for every club with a camogie team.

Think there are a couple other clubs where hurling could be introduced- Glenn, Saval, Drumgath, etc.- but I think those clubs would be the easiest to immediately target first.

You'd be bound to get hurling going in at least a few of them with right work put in I'd say.

[johnnycool]

Clann Mhúrn go to the underage Primary school blitzes and I see Fergal over in some of the schools there so it'll take a few years before that starts filtering into U14's etc.

East Belfast are a good adult addition, but no underage other than the odd attendance at the Go Games blitzes. I've only ever seen them at the ones run by Bredagh and Carryduff on their own doorstep.

At adult I can see both Warrenpoint and Newry in particular drop off before they pick up again as they haven't fielded at minor and U16 for quite a few years and Newry in particular are heavily dependent on lads well into their late 30's in the backbone of their team.

Clonduff and Castlewellan are the most likely to make the jump to senior if they keep doing the good work at underage, it'll take a year or two though and TBH I'm never sure how many are actually from those clubs and not other clubs in the area who don't field at those levels, but they have smatterings of very good hurlers in their ranks.

The problem is that the coaches are almost always the same lads over more than one age group and that's a big ask on those fella's to keep going year on year taking two or three teams, coaching and games.

[Truth hurts]

Off the top of my head, the most obvious would be An Riocht/Clann Mhúrn. Have a good underage set up by the looks of things, already camogie in the club, and there isn't a single hurling outlet for lads in that region of Down. Closest club for the area would probably be the Point or Hilltown which could be near a half hour drive each way.

Downpatrick would be another one.  Massive population and no hurling outlet in the town. Same could be said for Bryansford, but Downpatrick has the logistical benefit of being in a closer proximity to the majority of hurling clubs in the county, which would make things a lot easier. The Red High won a Mageean Cup a few years ago, so it wouldn't be that hard surely to build links with schools, etc.

I would say Darragh Cross. They had a relatively strong hurling team until fairly recently. Also field a camogie team. Wouldn't have the resources of other clubs, but there is a hurling tradition there I  think could be revived.

St Paul's in Holywood has an ever growing membership, and it appears to me that clubs in North Down are generally more receptive to introducing hurling than South Down clubs. Actually was having this conversation with a man from St Paul's about a year ago, and Holywood hurling is maybe not as far away as it seems.

St Kevin's is a club that exclusively field in camogie. I see no reason why they shouldn't also be a hurling club. I do remember hearing they wanted to start a hurling team a couple years ago, but the County Board said no.

On top of this, any club that has a camogie team I think really should have the ability to get 15 lads together to hurl. To the best of my knowledge, Mayobridge, Ballyholland, and Kilcoo all play in the senior camogie championship. Im not saying next year they could put out strong hurling teams, but the work is obviously being done at underage with the girls- surely it could be offered to lads too? Goes for every club with a camogie team.

Think there are a couple other clubs where hurling could be introduced- Glenn, Saval, Drumgath, etc.- but I think those clubs would be the easiest to immediately target first.

You'd be bound to get hurling going in at least a few of them with right work put in I'd say.

I agree with you, but I think Clonduff, Warrenpoint, and Newry Shamrocks might not be the greatest places to go because they depend on other clubs like Burren, Ballyholland, Mayobridge, Rostrevor, etc. Kilcoo players, would contribute significantly to Liatroim hurling .In a few years, Clann Mhurn ought to play senior hurling. To encourage hurling, coaches should be dispatched to the primary schools in Downpatrick, Newcastle, and Holywood.

[Splash]

The work that Clann Mhúrn seem to be putting into underage is encouraging. They have come a long way in a short space of time. I see on social media Fergal was in Kilkeel taking a session for secondary school students over the weekend. I'm not sure if this a regular occurrence, but it's good to see more ages being offered a chance to try hurling, and whilst we're still a long, long way off a Clann Mhúrn senior team, things are looking bright for hurling in the Mournes at the moment.

East Belfast Seniors have been a very welcome addition to the hurling world and are going from strength to strength. Underage is obviously still not where it needs to be to be self sufficient, but they have been at blitzes in other clubs according to fellas I know coaching underage teams.

Obviously the challenges in promoting hurling in Clann Mhúrn v East Belfast are quite different, but who knows what way it'll go. 10 years ago if you'd have said there would be any underage hurling in East Belfast or Kilkeel you'd probably have laughed. We will have to wait and see.

Unfortunately agree with you about Shamrocks and the Point. You need some sort of conveyor belt. I believe we do have an Urban Development Officer now in Down- so hopefully there is some drive to promote hurling in the two towns.

Castlewellan seem to be the best poised to make a break through. Not only do they have a good squad at the moment, and indeed, an even better underage setup, but they seem to have created a real hurling culture around the club. This could well prove the difference.

Clonduff seem to be massively struggling at senior, but I'd say a year in Div 2 will do them well. Whilst hurling seems to have come on lots in recent years, I'm still not sure how close they are to making the break to senior. They seem to be in a limbo. Too strong for the junior championship, but not yet ready for the intermediate. I do think though they have a lot of potential to kick on yet.

The Ballela/Ballyvarley amalgamation seems strong, too, and I think it's interesting to see who reaps the benefits of that in the coming years.

You're spot on regarding commitments from coaches. They are often spread too thin. It's a lot of commitment and most clubs just don't have enough coaches.

[Splash]

Off the top of my head, the most obvious would be An Riocht/Clann Mhúrn. Have a good underage set up by the looks of things, already camogie in the club, and there isn't a single hurling outlet for lads in that region of Down. Closest club for the area would probably be the Point or Hilltown which could be near a half hour drive each way.

Downpatrick would be another one.  Massive population and no hurling outlet in the town. Same could be said for Bryansford, but Downpatrick has the logistical benefit of being in a closer proximity to the majority of hurling clubs in the county, which would make things a lot easier. The Red High won a Mageean Cup a few years ago, so it wouldn't be that hard surely to build links with schools, etc.

I would say Darragh Cross. They had a relatively strong hurling team until fairly recently. Also field a camogie team. Wouldn't have the resources of other clubs, but there is a hurling tradition there I  think could be revived.

St Paul's in Holywood has an ever growing membership, and it appears to me that clubs in North Down are generally more receptive to introducing hurling than South Down clubs. Actually was having this conversation with a man from St Paul's about a year ago, and Holywood hurling is maybe not as far away as it seems.

St Kevin's is a club that exclusively field in camogie. I see no reason why they shouldn't also be a hurling club. I do remember hearing they wanted to start a hurling team a couple years ago, but the County Board said no.

On top of this, any club that has a camogie team I think really should have the ability to get 15 lads together to hurl. To the best of my knowledge, Mayobridge, Ballyholland, and Kilcoo all play in the senior camogie championship. Im not saying next year they could put out strong hurling teams, but the work is obviously being done at underage with the girls- surely it could be offered to lads too? Goes for every club with a camogie team.

Think there are a couple other clubs where hurling could be introduced- Glenn, Saval, Drumgath, etc.- but I think those clubs would be the easiest to immediately target first.

You'd be bound to get hurling going in at least a few of them with right work put in I'd say.

I agree with you, but I think Clonduff, Warrenpoint, and Newry Shamrocks might not be the greatest places to go because they depend on other clubs like Burren, Ballyholland, Mayobridge, Rostrevor, etc. Kilcoo players, would contribute significantly to Liatroim hurling .In a few years, Clann Mhurn ought to play senior hurling. To encourage hurling, coaches should be dispatched to the primary schools in Downpatrick, Newcastle, and Holywood.

Do Kilcoo men contribute heavily to Liatroim? Knew they had Kilcoo men hurling for them, along with a few from other places, but thought that by and large it was heavily Liatorim men.

Hurling clubs are always going to draw players in from non hurling clubs. I suppose you could make an argument that if enough lads are leaving a parish to hurl, there's enough interest to provide it in the home club.

It'll be interesting to see how long it takes Clann Mhúrn and Saul to actually field at senior. Hopefully it's not in the too distant future.

You're bang on, Truth. Coaches need to be dispatched to schools in Downpatrick, Newcastle, Holywood, etc. It's the only way to actually grow the game. You'd have to ask, what will actually make the County Board start to do this?

Obviously money, numbers, etc., are an obstacle, but there's surely a way to overcome these problems.

[maldini]

Any word on the Down squad for the League?
Many new faces in?

[Lowintotheforwards]

Splash, the straight up and down promotion from IHC to SHC was tried in the past and didn't work. It is a lot to do with the standard and small number of clubs. I agree with you that Newry and Warrenpoint are currently a good bit ahead of the other clubs in the intermediate group stage. Therefore the proposal to let the intermediate group stage winners straight into SHC would likely mean that the winners of one group match (Newry v Warrenpoint) get into the SHC - without winning the IHC final or any IHC knockout or beating any of the senior group teams. That to me is too easy. The current system is the best option currently available, has only operated for two years and needs to be given more time to see how it progresses.

[Splash]

We're going to have to agree to disagree on this one.

I could be wrong, but the last time an intermediate winner went straight up to the senior championship was when Liatroim won it in 2022. Before that, Newry Shamrocks went up as winners in 2021.

Liatroim obviously are thriving at senior, and whilst it was a step too far for Newry, I don't recall any slaughter matches.

I understand why you're saying the winner of a group game being promoted seems too easy, but the problem is the two senior clubs coming down to contest a final.

If this didn't happen, the chances are this year Warrenpoint and Shamrocks would have played the final. Surely winning an intermediate final should give a team the chance to go up? But whilst there is this insistence of having senior teams slot in to play the intermediate final, it's going to effectively put a glass ceiling on our true intermediate teams.

I do understand where you're coming from. For me the solution is to remove the caveat of the bottom senior teams coming down.

I really don't see the benefit of the current system. It just makes things more difficult for the intermediate clubs. Neither the current system nor the proposed one seems like the best available one.

[Goals_Will_Come]

Rory Gallagher going in with Lacey at Kilcoo

[Hard2Listen2]

Rory Gallagher going in with Lacey at Kilcoo

Yea. Donald Trump helping out with S&C too.
🤣😜🤯

[Splash]

Down's league campaign starts this week at home to Kildare. Due to the restructuring of the league, two teams will be promoted to Division 1 next year- with Down, Kerry, and Kildare all favourites to go up.

Division 1 would be a big boost to the county hurlers, and it should be a very realistic target this year.

Kildare in Ballycran is the best we could have hoped for. Kildare have been something of a bogey team for Down this decade, but Down are well fit to handle them. Winning this game would really set things off in the right direction, particularly since I'd say our Ulster rivals in Derry, Donegal, and even Tyrone would be looking to make a big statement against us.

Kildare are really flying through the motions, and are doing a lot of things right. They will have similar ambitions to us.

Interested to see who is involved.

Some experienced heads in the likes of Kieth, Sheehan, and Conlan are still involved, which will be what we need against the likes of Kerry and Kildare. The Irish News says Ronan Beatty of Carryduff has committed to the hurling, and Niall McFarland of Bredagh is available after being injured last year.

Beatty is a great addition- he is like glue and the ball just seems to stick to him. McFarland is a top defender and very glad to see him back.

McGrattan from Portaferry was very good this year I thought and could be our most dangerous forward.

It has been a while since Down went into a league campaign as favourites, so will be interesting to see how they deal with that. I have no doubt they won't buy into it, anyway. There is no secret there will be a target on our back. This league very much is a mini Ulster Championship of sorts.

Regardless of who the opposition is, there is no one in this league Down hasn't beaten in the past few years in the league, championship, or preseason competitions. It's a big opportunity this year, but let's not get too far ahead. Kildare are a very good side and are constantly improving. Hopefully Down are able to turn Ballycran into a fortress once again and come out the right side of this one.

[johnnycool]

Down's league campaign starts this week at home to Kildare. Due to the restructuring of the league, two teams will be promoted to Division 1 next year- with Down, Kerry, and Kildare all favourites to go up.

Division 1 would be a big boost to the county hurlers, and it should be a very realistic target this year.

Kildare in Ballycran is the best we could have hoped for. Kildare have been something of a bogey team for Down this decade, but Down are well fit to handle them. Winning this game would really set things off in the right direction, particularly since I'd say our Ulster rivals in Derry, Donegal, and even Tyrone would be looking to make a big statement against us.

Kildare are really flying through the motions, and are doing a lot of things right. They will have similar ambitions to us.

Interested to see who is involved.

Some experienced heads in the likes of Kieth, Sheehan, and Conlan are still involved, which will be what we need against the likes of Kerry and Kildare. The Irish News says Ronan Beatty of Carryduff has committed to the hurling, and Niall McFarland of Bredagh is available after being injured last year.

Beatty is a great addition- he is like glue and the ball just seems to stick to him. McFarland is a top defender and very glad to see him back.

McGrattan from Portaferry was very good this year I thought and could be our most dangerous forward.

It has been a while since Down went into a league campaign as favourites, so will be interesting to see how they deal with that. I have no doubt they won't buy into it, anyway. There is no secret there will be a target on our back. This league very much is a mini Ulster Championship of sorts.

Regardless of who the opposition is, there is no one in this league Down hasn't beaten in the past few years in the league, championship, or preseason competitions. It's a big opportunity this year, but let's not get too far ahead. Kildare are a very good side and are constantly improving. Hopefully Down are able to turn Ballycran into a fortress once again and come out the right side of this one.

I'd give Derry a fighting chance as well there Splash.

We've them up in Owenbeg and they'll see that as one they could win and they can indeed.

The Kildare lads have had the better of Down in the most recent meetings in 2024 and will be hard work in what will be a very soft pitch in Ballycran.

Meath have dropped off a bit and Kerry will be without their star in Mackessy, now with the cats, so Down have a good chance alright, but a good start is imperative.

You'd hope we've enough to get over Donegal and Tyrone with something to spare.

[Splash]

Derry absolutely are going to cause Down problems.

I think beating Down, Kildare, and Kerry, will be a step too far for them, but they're more than capable of beating those teams, and if I was McGarvey, I would absolutely be targeting the Down game.

I might be wrong, but the last time Derry came to Ballycran, Down were lucky to get out with the draw, as far as I can recall.

Still though, I think if Down are going well they're a bit ahead of Derry still.

Meath don't seem to be where they were a few years ago, but they'll not be any push overs.

Mackessy will be a big loss to Kerry, and I am very hopeful about what Down can do in that game, but there's still a number of other very skilled hurlers in Kerry-Mackessy never carried Kerry and I wouldn't sleep on them.

Hoping Down should have enough for Donegal and Tyrone, but it's probably worth giving Donegal the credit they beat Down in the McGurk final last year. But for obvious reasons I wouldn't look too much into that.

Anyway, a lot depends on whether Down start on a good foot or not. Hopefully they get the year off to a good start.

[Armaghdog]

Down's league campaign starts this week at home to Kildare. Due to the restructuring of the league, two teams will be promoted to Division 1 next year- with Down, Kerry, and Kildare all favourites to go up.

Division 1 would be a big boost to the county hurlers, and it should be a very realistic target this year.

Kildare in Ballycran is the best we could have hoped for. Kildare have been something of a bogey team for Down this decade, but Down are well fit to handle them. Winning this game would really set things off in the right direction, particularly since I'd say our Ulster rivals in Derry, Donegal, and even Tyrone would be looking to make a big statement against us.

Kildare are really flying through the motions, and are doing a lot of things right. They will have similar ambitions to us.

Interested to see who is involved.

Some experienced heads in the likes of Kieth, Sheehan, and Conlan are still involved, which will be what we need against the likes of Kerry and Kildare. The Irish News says Ronan Beatty of Carryduff has committed to the hurling, and Niall McFarland of Bredagh is available after being injured last year.

Beatty is a great addition- he is like glue and the ball just seems to stick to him. McFarland is a top defender and very glad to see him back.

McGrattan from Portaferry was very good this year I thought and could be our most dangerous forward.

It has been a while since Down went into a league campaign as favourites, so will be interesting to see how they deal with that. I have no doubt they won't buy into it, anyway. There is no secret there will be a target on our back. This league very much is a mini Ulster Championship of sorts.

Regardless of who the opposition is, there is no one in this league Down hasn't beaten in the past few years in the league, championship, or preseason competitions. It's a big opportunity this year, but let's not get too far ahead. Kildare are a very good side and are constantly improving. Hopefully Down are able to turn Ballycran into a fortress once again and come out the right side of this one.

I'd give Derry a fighting chance as well there Splash.

We've them up in Owenbeg and they'll see that as one they could win and they can indeed.

The Kildare lads have had the better of Down in the most recent meetings in 2024 and will be hard work in what will be a very soft pitch in Ballycran.

Meath have dropped off a bit and Kerry will be without their star in Mackessy, now with the cats, so Down have a good chance alright, but a good start is imperative.

You'd hope we've enough to get over Donegal and Tyrone with something to spare.

Mackessy gone from Kerry but Shane Nolan is back out of retirement which is big plus for them.

[Splash]

Couldn't have asked for a better start to the league than yesterday.

Beat Kildare by 3.

Kildare saved a penalty, but Down also saved one, so can't have too many complaints.

Puts Down top of Div 2. Away next week to Derry. Could be a very difficult game, but Derry only beat Tyrone by 2 yesterday, and if Down play to their full potential you'd like to hope they come out the right side.

Kildare host Kerry on the same day, and that result may have an impact on Down.

Regardless, Down will be focused on Derry, and hopefully putting in another good performance. 

Very pleased with how yesterday went. Hopefully Down can keep up the good form.

Let's hope the footballers can do the same today.