Down Club Hurling & Football

[Splash]

Best of luck to Portaferry in the Ulster Semi Final against Slaughtneil this weekend.

Very hard to call. Slaughtneil won Derry at a canter- they're only getting going now. This is their first real game of any meaning since they were pipped by the narrowest of margins by Sarsfields from Cork last year in the All Ireland Series.

Portaferry won the Senior Championship convincingly at the end, but they made hard enough work of it, and at half time I really fancied Ballygalget to kick on and shock them. Portaferry did what Portaferry do and found that next level and were well out of sight by the end of the game. The Slaughtneil crowd down in Newry that day didn't look too impressed, but they won't be taking the Ports lightly. It still feels more like Portaferry lost last year's Ulster Final than Slaughtneil won it, and they'll be eager to get that back.

Portaferry probably aren't just as strong as they were, but I don't think Slaughtneil are either. This is undoubtedly the tougher side of the draw, and whoever comes out of this will have to fancy themselves for Ulster. Slaughtneil will be more wary of Portaferry, but the Ports have shown they are no flash in the pan and are amongst the best in Ulster. Should be a good days hurling.

Liatroim and Castlewellan will be disappointed with how their respective years ended.

The intermediate final was a lot closer than I had anticipated, and Carryduff looked heartbroken. Losing 5 finals in a row is sickening. They have improved massively though in that period, and should really be looking at making it to the next stage of the senior championship in my opinion.

Liatroim very much seemed as though they had bigger things on their mind, as alluded to in the speech after the final. However they probably had the unkindest draw and came up just short against a very strong Glenariffe side away in Antrim. I'd have said those two teams would have been the strongest intermediate sides in Ulster. Liatroim probably didn't have the year they would have wanted, but I don't think many would have tipped them to win the Intermediate at the start of the championship given their performances.

There's a couple players from both Liatroim and Carryduff who in my opinion should be involved with Down going forward.

Castlewellan won the Junior Final in the most dominant display we've seen in years. Not really sure what happened to Kilclief. They were reminiscent of Cork in the second half of the All Ireland Final with a complete break down in play, scoring only 2 points in the second half.

Castlewellan will feel they should have won that championship 4 or 5 years ago. It will be a massive money off their back and I feel like they have the potential to establish themselves as a serious intermediate team, and with the work being done at underage in the club, they could kick on even further.

Kilclief will no doubt be there or there abouts next year. Next year's JHC should be a good spectacle, with Clonduff coming down, leaving it as open as it's been in a number of years, with no clear favourite as of yet.

Castlewellan couldn't deal with Burt in the first round of Ulster, but it's been well discussed the flaws in having a team of Burt's quality in the Junior Championship. Castlewellan likely would have beat the Donegal Junior Champions, Letterkenny, well, but it is what it is. Looking forward to seeing how Castlewellan fare in Div 1 now next year.

[PAULD123]

Does anyone know when the national league masters fixture plan is released?  Thanks

[Splash]

Best of luck to the Clonduff Camogs in the Senior Ulster Final today against Loughgiel.

[johnnycool]

Ports come up short yesterday.

The loss of Tom McGrattan to ACL and probably the fact that Eoghan Sands missed a lot of hurling this year to injury meant he went into that game undercooked and didn't perform to the same levels as he has the previous 2 years in Ulster.

I'm not sure why they changed the spine of their defence and whilst CT played well at Centre back they were a lot less sure of themselves in the fullback line and possibly needed another defender in there comfortable in taking a ball from the keeper on the short puckouts.
Darragh Mallon did the right thing taking his man on and creating the overlap when taking the odd short puckout, but way too often they went long and played into SN's strength as the Ports aren't known to be ball catchers in their forwards with only young Coleman catching ball yesterday.

Ports didn't play as well as they can and that will grate with them, but maybe the much stronger and prolonged physicality SN bring, they just couldn't deal with.

[Be even better]

Derry champions stronger physically and while so many knock the dual aspect it clearly helps both codes at times. Serious hurlers too. Big McKague out last year is some man to bring in. Notable lack of depth in the Portaferry ranks hurt them too. Ulster Final will be some battle. Slaughtneil narrowly??

[Splash]

Disappointed for Portaferry.

Came down to the wire. I think it really could have gone either way, and was in the  melting pot up until Slaughtneil's goal in the last ten minutes.

It wasn't as spectacular a game as we have seen in recent years, but that's the nature of these types of battles.

McGrattan obviously a huge loss. Coleman was very impressive.

Portaferry may feel certain decisions went against them, but the fact of the matter is the Ports had chances and unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalise at the right times.

SN are a serious side. The physicality they bring is very, very difficult to live with. Their ability to win ball goes a long way in helping their game. That is before even commenting on the quality hurling they play.

Portaferry will be disappointed. But I do think it is important to take a step back and look at how they have come on in recent years.

In 2022, Portaferry were put out of Ulster in the semi finals by SN- losing by almost 20 points. 3 years later and they have clearly shown they have caught up with the Derry men. It is massive progress in a short period of time.

I know that won't be much comfort to them over the winter, but it is well worth noting.

Portaferry are still very much the team to beat in Down and no doubt there's more to come from this team.

Best of luck to Slaughtneil now in Ulster. I'd say they should win the Ulster Final, but I do think it would be great to see St John's get over the line. Setentna weren't absolutely blown away in the other semi final, so hopefully they stick up in the Senior Championship for next year. Great to have more teams and more games.

Hard luck also to Clonduff camogs. Game was far closer than final score line might suggest (they lost by 7, but were a point or 2 behind Loughguile for the majority of the game). It is great to see them competing with teams like Loughguile, and hopefully there is more to come.

[DuffGael]

Disappointed for Portaferry.

Came down to the wire. I think it really could have gone either way, and was in the  melting pot up until Slaughtneil's goal in the last ten minutes.

It wasn't as spectacular a game as we have seen in recent years, but that's the nature of these types of battles.

McGrattan obviously a huge loss. Coleman was very impressive.

Portaferry may feel certain decisions went against them, but the fact of the matter is the Ports had chances and unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalise at the right times.

SN are a serious side. The physicality they bring is very, very difficult to live with. Their ability to win ball goes a long way in helping their game. That is before even commenting on the quality hurling they play.

Portaferry will be disappointed. But I do think it is important to take a step back and look at how they have come on in recent years.

In 2022, Portaferry were put out of Ulster in the semi finals by SN- losing by almost 20 points. 3 years later and they have clearly shown they have caught up with the Derry men. It is massive progress in a short period of time.

I know that won't be much comfort to them over the winter, but it is well worth noting.

Portaferry are still very much the team to beat in Down and no doubt there's more to come from this team.

Best of luck to Slaughtneil now in Ulster. I'd say they should win the Ulster Final, but I do think it would be great to see St John's get over the line. Setentna weren't absolutely blown away in the other semi final, so hopefully they stick up in the Senior Championship for next year. Great to have more teams and more games.

Hard luck also to Clonduff camogs. Game was far closer than final score line might suggest (they lost by 7, but were a point or 2 behind Loughguile for the majority of the game). It is great to see them competing with teams like Loughguile, and hopefully there is more to come.

Portaferry are a serious outfit and will win Ulster in the next year or 2. hard luck to them at the weekend but they need a bit more off the bench going forward.

[johnnycool]

Disappointed for Portaferry.

Came down to the wire. I think it really could have gone either way, and was in the  melting pot up until Slaughtneil's goal in the last ten minutes.

It wasn't as spectacular a game as we have seen in recent years, but that's the nature of these types of battles.

McGrattan obviously a huge loss. Coleman was very impressive.

Portaferry may feel certain decisions went against them, but the fact of the matter is the Ports had chances and unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalise at the right times.

SN are a serious side. The physicality they bring is very, very difficult to live with. Their ability to win ball goes a long way in helping their game. That is before even commenting on the quality hurling they play.

Portaferry will be disappointed. But I do think it is important to take a step back and look at how they have come on in recent years.

In 2022, Portaferry were put out of Ulster in the semi finals by SN- losing by almost 20 points. 3 years later and they have clearly shown they have caught up with the Derry men. It is massive progress in a short period of time.

I know that won't be much comfort to them over the winter, but it is well worth noting.

Portaferry are still very much the team to beat in Down and no doubt there's more to come from this team.

Best of luck to Slaughtneil now in Ulster. I'd say they should win the Ulster Final, but I do think it would be great to see St John's get over the line. Setentna weren't absolutely blown away in the other semi final, so hopefully they stick up in the Senior Championship for next year. Great to have more teams and more games.

Hard luck also to Clonduff camogs. Game was far closer than final score line might suggest (they lost by 7, but were a point or 2 behind Loughguile for the majority of the game). It is great to see them competing with teams like Loughguile, and hopefully there is more to come.

Portaferry are a serious outfit and will win Ulster in the next year or 2. hard luck to them at the weekend but they need a bit more off the bench going forward.

You need 20 plus hurlers capable of coming on and making a difference and there's no doubting Tom McGrattan is one they will need next year, but their need is further down the field and I don't see who that is coming from their bench and I've seen plenty of their juveniles and seconds the last several years.

They're still hot favourites to come out of Down as our needs are far greater than theirs.

Anyone I've spoken to reckons SN will beat St Johns with something to spare. I can't see how it can be so though, as it wasn't as if they got an easy route out of Antrim and I wouldn't bet against them, but SN's physicality and fitness is something to behold.

[Truth hurts]

Would it make sense to move reserve football away from Saturday ? The local soccer leagues are every Saturday, which may help participation.

[SoloAndGo]

Any football managers still looking posts for the new year, few div 1 teams in Antrim are still on the look. Can put you in touch with a few clubs.

[Splash]

Would it make sense to move reserve football away from Saturday ? The local soccer leagues are every Saturday, which may help participation.

I would strongly agree. I think Saturday is the worst time for reserves.

The nature of reserve football means there is a lot of young players, many still in school, university, apprenticeships, etc., who typically work on Saturdays. Say what you want, but it's hard for a lad to routinely turn down a few pound on a Saturday night because he's off to play reserves.

There is probably an argument that many treat reserves as a social occasion, and Saturday is probably not going to accommodate this very well.

The hurling reserves (Betsy Gray) took place on a Wednesday this year and I think that worked great. Footballers should try something similar.

[Splash]

Disappointed for Portaferry.

Came down to the wire. I think it really could have gone either way, and was in the  melting pot up until Slaughtneil's goal in the last ten minutes.

It wasn't as spectacular a game as we have seen in recent years, but that's the nature of these types of battles.

McGrattan obviously a huge loss. Coleman was very impressive.

Portaferry may feel certain decisions went against them, but the fact of the matter is the Ports had chances and unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalise at the right times.

SN are a serious side. The physicality they bring is very, very difficult to live with. Their ability to win ball goes a long way in helping their game. That is before even commenting on the quality hurling they play.

Portaferry will be disappointed. But I do think it is important to take a step back and look at how they have come on in recent years.

In 2022, Portaferry were put out of Ulster in the semi finals by SN- losing by almost 20 points. 3 years later and they have clearly shown they have caught up with the Derry men. It is massive progress in a short period of time.

I know that won't be much comfort to them over the winter, but it is well worth noting.

Portaferry are still very much the team to beat in Down and no doubt there's more to come from this team.

Best of luck to Slaughtneil now in Ulster. I'd say they should win the Ulster Final, but I do think it would be great to see St John's get over the line. Setentna weren't absolutely blown away in the other semi final, so hopefully they stick up in the Senior Championship for next year. Great to have more teams and more games.

Hard luck also to Clonduff camogs. Game was far closer than final score line might suggest (they lost by 7, but were a point or 2 behind Loughguile for the majority of the game). It is great to see them competing with teams like Loughguile, and hopefully there is more to come.

Portaferry are a serious outfit and will win Ulster in the next year or 2. hard luck to them at the weekend but they need a bit more off the bench going forward.

You need 20 plus hurlers capable of coming on and making a difference and there's no doubting Tom McGrattan is one they will need next year, but their need is further down the field and I don't see who that is coming from their bench and I've seen plenty of their juveniles and seconds the last several years.

They're still hot favourites to come out of Down as our needs are far greater than theirs.

Anyone I've spoken to reckons SN will beat St Johns with something to spare. I can't see how it can be so though, as it wasn't as if they got an easy route out of Antrim and I wouldn't bet against them, but SN's physicality and fitness is something to behold.

There are plenty of good backs in Portaferry, but I don't think they have a real marquee name the outside of one or two more established players, and they don't seem to have an obvious solution coming.

That is unless someone focused on developing as a real man marking defender, but I don't know how feasible that would really be.

I think SN should win Ulster now, but anyone thinking St John's won't put it up to them would do well to look back over their record up until now. They'll give Slaughtneil their fill of it, but SN's physicality and experience should see them over the line.

[Ed Hardy]

Any word on new or returning players called into the Down football panel for the new season?

[marty34]

Disappointed for Portaferry.

Came down to the wire. I think it really could have gone either way, and was in the  melting pot up until Slaughtneil's goal in the last ten minutes.

It wasn't as spectacular a game as we have seen in recent years, but that's the nature of these types of battles.

McGrattan obviously a huge loss. Coleman was very impressive.

Portaferry may feel certain decisions went against them, but the fact of the matter is the Ports had chances and unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalise at the right times.

SN are a serious side. The physicality they bring is very, very difficult to live with. Their ability to win ball goes a long way in helping their game. That is before even commenting on the quality hurling they play.

Portaferry will be disappointed. But I do think it is important to take a step back and look at how they have come on in recent years.

In 2022, Portaferry were put out of Ulster in the semi finals by SN- losing by almost 20 points. 3 years later and they have clearly shown they have caught up with the Derry men. It is massive progress in a short period of time.

I know that won't be much comfort to them over the winter, but it is well worth noting.

Portaferry are still very much the team to beat in Down and no doubt there's more to come from this team.

Best of luck to Slaughtneil now in Ulster. I'd say they should win the Ulster Final, but I do think it would be great to see St John's get over the line. Setentna weren't absolutely blown away in the other semi final, so hopefully they stick up in the Senior Championship for next year. Great to have more teams and more games.

Hard luck also to Clonduff camogs. Game was far closer than final score line might suggest (they lost by 7, but were a point or 2 behind Loughguile for the majority of the game). It is great to see them competing with teams like Loughguile, and hopefully there is more to come.

Portaferry are a serious outfit and will win Ulster in the next year or 2. hard luck to them at the weekend but they need a bit more off the bench going forward.

You need 20 plus hurlers capable of coming on and making a difference and there's no doubting Tom McGrattan is one they will need next year, but their need is further down the field and I don't see who that is coming from their bench and I've seen plenty of their juveniles and seconds the last several years.

They're still hot favourites to come out of Down as our needs are far greater than theirs.

Anyone I've spoken to reckons SN will beat St Johns with something to spare. I can't see how it can be so though, as it wasn't as if they got an easy route out of Antrim and I wouldn't bet against them, but SN's physicality and fitness is something to behold.

There are plenty of good backs in Portaferry, but I don't think they have a real marquee name the outside of one or two more established players, and they don't seem to have an obvious solution coming.

That is unless someone focused on developing as a real man marking defender, but I don't know how feasible that would really be.

I think SN should win Ulster now, but anyone thinking St John's won't put it up to them would do well to look back over their record up until now. They'll give Slaughtneil their fill of it, but SN's physicality and experience should see them over the line.

The key thing about SN is that they're seriously good skillful hurlers with a very good manager.

I think the football/physiciality thing is overplayed. It's lazy analysis really.

A great year for St. John's who have overcome the odds and have come through in tight games. I actually thought their chance had gone as they were so near this past 4 or 5 years but couldn't get over the line. They've regrouped well.

[Splash]

Sleacht Néill are without doubt one of the most technically skilful teams in Ulster- if not Ireland. Their touch, their striking, their decision making, their reading of the game; are all phenomenal. There's a great slowed down video going about at the moment of McKaigue taking a touch on the outside heel of the hurl and putting the sliotar over the bar, for example.

I don't think it's right to say that commentary on their physicality is lazy.

Perhaps some of it is. Perhaps some of it is people saying their dual status gives them 'double the results,' or something to that effect. But with any serious interest will know SN are where they are due to playing hurling very well.

I think it's very hard though to say their physicality doesn't play a role in their game though. At the end of the day, the ability to win ball over their opponents, to break tackles, and to shoot from almost anywhere on the field at times, have all played massive factors in their success.

It is not the reason for their success, but it is no doubt useful to them and has not been a bad thing. Part of the reason that SN have been so competitive with the likes of Ballygunner, Ballyhale, Na Piarsaigh, etc., is becuase they have the physical ability to live with them.

You are spot on though- their primary reason for success is due to the high quality hurling they play, followed by a series of very good managers.


Great year for St John's. Upset the odds time and time again this year. No reason they can't be competitive with Slaughtneil and Loughrea. We will see.