The Semi Finals of the Morgan Fuels Down Senior Football Championship will take place next weekend with Cumann Pheadar Naofa taking on Ballyholland on Friday night (27th September) at 7.30pm in Pairc Esler.  The second semi final between Kilcoo and Clonduff will take place the following evening Saturday (28th September) also at 7.30pm in Pairc Esler.

The entry cost into each games is Adults £10.00 / Students & OAP's £8.00 / U16's £2.00.

The Semi Finals of the The Parador Lodge Belfast Down Intermediate Football Championship will take place next Saturday (28th September) in St Patrick's Park, Newcastle with Darragh Cross taking on Newry Shamrocks at 2pm and Glenn v St John's at 3.30pm.

The entry cost is Adults £10.00 / Students & OAP's £8.00 / U16's Free.

Down manager Paddy Tally is resigned to being without Niall McParland for another year.

The Glenn clubman and 2018 captain took up a teaching post in Qatar this time last year and will remain in the Middle East for another year.

“Niall’s teaching in Qatar and he has another year of his contract to run out there. He was home there and played a bit with Glenn but he’s back for the start of the term there. Hopefully when he does return he’ll be interested in putting himself forward for playing for Down again," Tally told the Irish News.

Tally is also planning for 2020 without Conor Francis, Gerard McGovern, Anthony Doherty and Ronan and Shay Millar, who are also overseas, but Niall Donnelly could return after undergoing ankle surgery.

In a dramatic quarter-final replay at Pairc Esler this evening, Kilcoo scraped over the challenge of reigning champions Burren to set up a semi-final meeting with Clonduff.

Two late goals from Paul Devlin (penalty) and Conor Laverty saw Mickey Moran’s men edge out Paddy O’Rourke’s charges by 2-12 to 2-9.

The Magpies – who trailed by 0-7 to 2-5 at the change of ends – have been paired with Clonduff in the semi-final draw while Ballyholland Harps will take on Warrenpoint.

Morgan Fuels Down Senior Football Quarter Final Replay: Kilcoo v Burren LIVE ON DOWN GAA TV https://bit.ly/30BwPGM via @thesvp

Conor Francis has become the latest Down footballer to relocate to Australia.

Manager Paddy Tally confirmed to the Irish News that the versatile Bredagh clubman has decided to join Gerald McGovern, Ronan and Shay Millar and Anthony Doherty Down Under.

“Conor’s decided that he wants to go away and travel for the year, he’s been thinking that for a while and now he’s of an age before committing to a full-time career where he wants to do this,” Tally said.

“He has our blessing – of course we’re going to miss him, he made massive progress this year and was a very important member of our league and championship squad. But it’s something you have to be aware of too; that there’s life outside of football.

"There’s lots of players heading off and travelling and we’ve got to support them in that. If and when they do return, hopefully they can play themselves back into the squad again and that’s the way we’ve left it for Conor.”

Watch Down Gaa Glenn v Liatroim and Burren v Kilcoo NOW LIVE bit.ly/2AmNH9D via