Kieran Denvir R.I.P

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn today of the death of Kieran Denvir member of our 1960 All Ireland winning team. Kieran came from a family steeped in the heritage of Down GAA; his father James Denvir had been the first Chairperson of the County Committee in 1903.

A native of Ballynarry in Kilclief, Kieran followed in the footsteps of his older brother Brian and made his Ulster Championship debut against Derry in 1953. It ended in a three-point defeat for Down and Kieran was then listed as playing for UCD where he was a veterinary student. Indeed, in that same year 1953, his brother Brian was a member of the County Senior Hurling Team defeated by Antrim in the Ulster Junior Championship.

On this day the 9^th of August 1959, Kieran Denvir was right corner forward on the Down team that defeated Cavan in the Ulster Final on a score line of 2-16 to 0-7 and in doing so became the first Down team to win an Ulster Senior Title. History was made, and the Kilclief brothers Kieran and Brian Denvir as a selector, had played their part on and off the field.

In the All-Ireland Final of 1960 Kieran replaced Joe Lennon at midfield in the second half of the game as Down went on to defeat Kerry 2-10 to 0-8 and we were All Ireland Champions.

The men of 1960 will always have a special place in the hearts and minds of Down people and indeed of GAA people throughout the land and beyond these shores. Kieran Denvir was one of those men, the history makers, a man of stature, and a man of modesty, he represented his Club, his university, captaining UCD to a Sigerson Cup win, his County, and his Province.

Indeed, in his Inter County career Kieran played with three Clubs whilst continuing playing with Down, his native Kilclief, his university Club of UCD and when work took him to the West, he also played with Ballina James Stephens but always with outstanding commitment to the Red and Black.

We in Down GAA wish to extend our sympathy to his Children Fiona, Mark, Paula, Rory, Angus and Ciara, his son in law Pete and daughters in law, Moira, Annette and Andrea and his grandchildren. We remember too his late wife Monica and the deceased members of the Denvir Family. To the Gaels of Kilclief we also extend our sympathies.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

In relation to the Senior Hurling Championship, the Semi Finals will be drawn as follows : 

Team One (Top of the Group) will play the Fourth placed Team

Team Two (Second in the Group) will play the Third Placed Team

Team One and Two will have Home Advantage in the Semi Finals.

Conor Laverty appointed as new Down Senior Manager

Down GAA has appointed Conor Laverty as the new manager of the senior football team. At a meeting of the County Committee on Mondayevening, the former county star forward and All-Ireland club winning captain was ratified for the position. His management team will include Marty Clarke and Declan Morgan (a further member will be added to the management team later).

Conor played at all levels for his county, featuring in the All-Ireland Final of 2010 and the Ulster decider two years later. He earned an Allstar nomination for his exploits in the red and black in 2012 and went on to captain Down in 2015. He is one of our most decorated club footballers, winning ten county championships with Kilcoo, and he was joint captain when they won the 2019 and 2020 Ulster titles before leading his club to the ultimate honour in Croke Park in February this year.

Conor will also continue as U20 manager, a position he was appointed to in December 2020. He guided Down to a provincial title at this grade in his first year in the role. A full U20 management will be confirmed at a later date, with Darragh O’Hanlon (Kilcoo) and Conor Gilmore (St John’s) continuing in their roles.

Martin Clarke won an All-Ireland Minor title with Down in 2005, and in between spells with Collingwood in the AFL, he featured prominently for Down when they reached the All-Ireland decider in 2010. He was selected as an Allstar that year. Declan Morgan has considerableexperience in coaching at clubs in three counties and at schools levelswith St Patrick’s Downpatrick - he and Marty Clarke have been part of Conor Laverty’s management team with the U20s.

The management team will now focus on putting their backroom team in place ahead of preparations for the 2023 season.

Down GAA chairman John Devaney congratulated Conor and his management team on their appointment and expressed the hope that all members, supporters and players will give their full support to build a team and move us forward.

There were four finals played at the weekend across the Premier Reserve and Reserve championships. 

The Premier Reserve title was annexed by Kilcoo who overcame Carryduff on a final scoreline of 1-8 - 0-6 in St Patrick’s Park, Newcastle. Having led by three at the break, the Magpies were able to extend a little further ahead in the second half to seal victory. At the same time in Drumgath, Clonduff and Burren were going head to head in the Felix Darby final. It was all square at half time as Clonduff began well but Burren finished the opening period stronger. A Clonduff goal at the start of the second half gave them breathing space and while Burren pulled it back to two points with 15 minutes left they were unable to get any closer with a few late scores handing Clonduff a six point success; 2-10 - 0-10.

On Sunday it was over to the Reserves sides and the championship final was played in a resplendently sunny Rostrevor. A barrage of first half goals ultimately set Mayobridge up for victory. They led 3-4 - 0-3 at half time and netted again shortly after the restart. Burren had a strong second half in which they kicked 12 points but ultimately were made to pay for a total of fifteen wides as the Bridge closed the game out well to win 4-7 - 0-15. 
The Fr Davies Cup final was played simultaneously in Hilltown and in another high scoring affair Glenn edged out Ballymartin on a final scoreline of 1-18 - 2-10. It was 0-10 - 0-4 at half time for Glenn but the scoring rate rapidly rose in the second half and all three goals were finished during that part of the game. 

All in all it was a great weekend of football and the seven different clubs who were represented all performed spiritedly and with pride. Congratulations to all four winners and we look forward to seeing many of the players on show push on in the senior championship of both this year and future years.

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA would like to extend our congratulations to Ciara Mageean on winning a Silver Medal tonight in the 1500m at the Commonwealth Games, this is a great achievement for Ciara, and we extend our congratulations to her family and to the Gaels of Portaferry.

Ciara has always been a good friend to Down GAA and we look forward to seeing her at home again and attending our Championship Fixtures in the weeks ahead.

Mageean ran a superb race to finish second behind Laura Muir. The 30-year-old led early at Alexandra Stadium and was the only runner to stay in touch with Muir after the Scot moved in front with over a lap remaining.

Mageean was well clear of Australia's Abbey Caldwell in third as she took silver in a time of 4.04.14.

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The 2022 Down GAA Kellogg’s Cúl Camps continue in August with 10 camps still to take place across the County.

Over 2500 kids between the ages of 6 and 13 have already attended camps at 23 venues across Down.  The action-packed and fun-filled week of activity, revolves around maximising enjoyment and sustaining participant involvement in Gaelic Games. The camps are structured so that a different aspect of Gaelic Games (Football, Hurling and Camogie) are worked on each day.  The programme involves coaching specific skills of the game and provides the opportunity for children to put into practice what they have learned through small sided games.  During the camp week, a "blitz" is organised to provide each child with an introduction to competitive games.

We look forard to the next 2 to 3 weeks of camps. Thanks to all the club venues, Coaches, Kids and parents who make our Cul Camps the success they are.

This weeks Camps
Monday 1st - Friday 5th August 2022
Ballycran
Clonduff 
Teconnaught

Coming Up
Monday 8th - Friday 12th August 2022
Bredagh    SOLD OUT
Burren    SOLD OUT
Longstone    Only 4 Places Left
St Michaels    Only 15 Places Left

Monday 15th - Friday 19th August 2022
Carryduff    SOLD OUT
Cumann Pheadair Naofa    SOLD OUT
Glasdrumman    Places Available
Newry Shamrocks    SOLD OUT
St John Bosco    Only 12 places left
St John's    Only 3 places left

Booking for the Camps which have places available can be done so at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie

Photos from the 2022 Down GAA Kellogg's Cul Camp at An Riocht which took place on the week 25th July