John Mitchel’s, Ballygalget, has collected one of nine Bank of Ireland Ulster GAA Community Support Awards in recognition of their work during the past year.

The Awards were created to recognise the outstanding contribution of GAA clubs in their communities, where many go over and above their normal day-to-day activities to promote outreach, equality, diversity and inclusivity.

There was a fantastic response from clubs across the province to the call for nominations and it was a difficult decision-making process for the judging panel from Ulster GAA and Bank of Ireland’s Community Teams.

One winner was selected from each county in Ulster with Ballygalget winning the Down Award.  Each winner won £250 of O’Neill’s Sports equipment vouchers, with Ruairí Óg CLG, being chosen as the overall winner, receiving an additional £1,000 of O’Neill’s Sports vouchers.

The full list of county winners in the Bank of Ireland Ulster GAA Community Support Award:

Antrim – Ruairí Óg Cushendall
Armagh – Clan na Gael, Lurgan
Cavan – East Cavan Gaels
Derry – Ballerin Sarsfields
Donegal – Naomh Conaill, Glenties
Down – John Mitchel’s, Ballygalget
Fermanagh – St Patrick’s Donagh
Monaghan – Oram Sarsfields
Tyrone – Dungannon Thomas Clarkes

Down regain winning feeling after edging past Tipperary in Division 3 opener
Updated / Saturday, 28 Jan 2023 20:27

Conor Francis' goal proved to be the cushion Down needed

By Stephen Barry at FBD Semple Stadium
RTÉ Sport reporter

Only one game has been played and Down have already improved on their 2022 tally of wins after their 14 men clung on for a nervy three-point victory over Tipperary in Allianz Football League Division 3.

The Mournemen failed to win any of their nine League, Ulster, and Tailteann Cup games last year but this Allianz League-opening victory over Tipperary breaks a winless streak dating back to May 2021.

Under new manager Conor Laverty, Down went about their task with clinical composure until an element of disarray took hold with Niall McParland's 40th-minute red card. But Conor Francis’ goal gave them the cushion they needed in front of 1,013 spectators at Semple Stadium.

Down defended in numbers, denying Tipperary so much as a shot from play in the first half, as the Premier's high ball tactic failed to make any inroads before their bench began to make an impact.

When Down attacked, they went for the jugular. Eamon Brown took a simple scorable free from the 21m line short, seeking a goal, while Barry O’Hagan was reluctant to kick another at the target from 35 metres out in front of the posts. In the end, he hurriedly booted it wide. It was a rare blip in those opening stages.

Pat Havern showed superb movement floating around the attacking zone and kicked their opening two points, the first from a mark, followed by a fine Odhrán Murdock score.

Seán O’Connor had four scoreable frees but only pointed one, on 15 minutes, before being taken off at half-time. Their other two first-half placed balls from distance were taken by Jack Kennedy, scoring a free in the 31st minute.

Down made their winning move at the start of the second quarter, firing 1-03 in the space of six minutes.

After slotting two points, Eamon Brown picked out Havern with a brilliant reverse pass that wrongfooted the Tipp cover. The full-forward made no mistake when in on goal.

When Havern added a 22nd-minute point, it was Down’s last of the half.

O’Hagan was black-carded for a late tackle on Teddy Doyle and the visitors set about killing the clock, restricting Tipperary’s efforts to two frees in that 10-minute period. Kennedy’s effort left it 1-06 to 0-02 at half-time.

Steven O’Brien was brought into the Tipp attack at half-time and the big Ballina man made an immediate impact, carving out an opportunity from Sweeney. It was Tipp’s first chance and first point from play in the 38th minute.

McParland was sent off for his second yellow card, after a high tackle, and Tipp supporters started to sense an opportunity as Mikey O’Shea brought the gap back to five.

The teams were trading frees before Mark Russell, just on a sub, kicked two huge points with his first two touches to twice narrow the deficit to four. Each time, however, Down substitute Andrew Gilmore kicked the next point.

Tipp appeared to have given away their chance when keeper Michael O’Reilly got caught under Gilmore’s high delivery and Francis tapped into an empty net. 2-10 to 1-09 after 61 minutes.

But Tipp hit back three minutes later when Doyle capitalised on a loose ball to finish to the net. Donough Leahy, another sub, added the next two points, either side of Gilmore cracking the Tipp crossbar with a vicious shot, to leave it a two-point game entering six minutes of stoppage time.

Havern won and pointed a free to settle Down nerves but they felt shakier when a goal chance fell to O’Brien from a 45. He was surrounded by red jerseys, though, and his shot snuffed out.

Doyle was sent off for a second yellow late on as it ended with 14 men on either side, but Down the happier on the long road home.

Tipperary: M O’Reilly; S O’Connell, J Feehan, D Carew; K Fahey, C O’Shaughnessy, E Moloney; L Boland, J Kennedy (0-01f); M Stokes, M O’Shea (0-01), T Doyle (1-00); C Sweeney (0-4, 3fs), L McGrath, S O’Connor (0-01f).

Subs: C Deeley for Boland (32 inj), S O’Brien for O’Connor (h-t), C Cadell for Stokes (44), M Russell (0-02) for Moloney (51), D Leahy (0-02) for Sweeney (63 inj).

Down: J O’Hare; R Magill, P Laverty, R McEvoy; C Francis (1-00), N McParland, M Rooney; N Donnelly, O Murdock (0-01); G Collins, D McAleenan, L Kerr; E Brown (0-02), P Havern (1-04, 0-01f, 0-01m), B O’Hagan (0-01f).

Subs: A Gilmore (0-03, 2fs) for Brown (45), C Doherty for Rooney (47), C Fitzpatrick for Donnelly (52), M Welsh for O’Hagan (61), P Branagan for Collins (70).

Referee: C Maguire (Clare).

Conor Laverty has named the fifteen to start Down’s league campaign in Semple Stadium, Thurles on Saturday 28th January with the game throwing in at 6:00pm. Players from nine different clubs are selected in the fifteen with Barry O’Hagan and Pat Havern who jointly top scored in the McKenna Cup (8 points each) both named in the inside line. Miceal Rooney, Donagh McAleenan and Eamon Brown, all of who made their senior debuts in the McKenna Cup are also handed starting berths as Down travel to Tipperary in search of a win to kickstart their bid for a strong Allianz League Division Three campaign.

Cahair O'Kane at Páirc Esler
Irish News - https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2023/01/16/news/derry_win_but_something_stirs_in_down_football-2999740/

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup semi-final: Down 3-9 Derry 1-15 (Derry win 3-2 on penalties)

SOMETHING is definitely stirring in Down football.

They lost to Derry yesterday. Could have won. It didn’t really matter in the end. They were beaten on a penalty shootout, lap of the Gods stuff.

Derry have got plenty out of a McKenna Cup that will give them one more outing, a potentially spicy final with Tyrone in Armagh on Saturday evening.

But over the three games they’ve had, Down have been the competition’s big winners.

They will go to the home of hurling in 13 days’ time infused with a belief and energy that they’ve been spiritually devoid of for a decade.

Before a ball was thrown in yesterday, there were wrestling matches breaking out. Barry O’Hagan lined out at wing-back on Shane McGuigan and instantly engaged the Slaughtneil man. They got drawn into a scrum of bodies. Gareth McKinless’ jersey ended up off over his head.

Down are setting a tone. They’ve been far too nice for far too long. No longer.

Their public is feeding off it already. The stand in Páirc Esler was packed, just shy of 4,000 in. They were given oxygen before a ball was kicked and they maintained it for the next 70 minutes.

And all that is grand and it’s helpful but it’s not the why of Down’s competitiveness. You’re looking a bit deeper for that.

Exhibit A: Seven goals in three games. They got three yesterday and left more behind in the first half. Any time there’s a half sniff of it, it’s head down and run at the black spot. At one stage, Barry O’Hagan went short to Pat Havern from a 20-metre tap-over free, trying to manufacture something from nothing.

Exhibit B: Kickouts. Down fans have been pulling their hair out for years at their inability to win their own ball. One manager after the next failed to find any solution. In just a few months, Conor Laverty has gone a long way to fixing it. John O’Hare is comfortable off the tee, short or long. It’s by no means perfect but it’s getting there.

Exhibit C: Their team is already taking a bit of shape. Ryan McEvoy at full-back. Pierce Laverty marking men. Niall McParland sweeping. Niall Donnelly getting back to his best. Donagh McAleenan, the jinking image of his boss. Pat Havern a kind of Cathal McShane-esque presence at full-forward, right down to the bad-ass crop look.

Havern got three more from play yesterday. He and Barry O’Hagan had great duels with Eoin McEvoy and Chrissy McKaigue respectively. They were left oceans to dance in and in the first 35 minutes, it was great stuff.

Part of you sensed Derry were almost throwing the game in order to give McEvoy the exposure. It was rare to see them as exposed and sweeperless.

He was left to his own devices for a lot of the game and the young Magherafelt full-back did well.

“We wanted him stuck in the middle of it and if he had’ve been old enough we would have played him last year,” said Rory Gallagher afterwards.

He will also have been delighted by Niall Toner’s January. The Lavey forward was the best player on the pitch yesterday. He kicked five points from play, including one off the left.

Shane McGuigan edged a good battle with Pierce Laverty while Padraig Cassidy, having effectively missed last year with injury, showed signs of inching towards full flight again.

He brilliantly took Derry’s goal, rattling the top corner after Gareth McKinless’ genius and brave flick inside for him. But Cassidy then gave the ball away to Pat Havern under no pressure and handed Down the first of their three goals on the half hour.

Niall Donnelly finished it after a sharp layoff from Liam Kerr opened the door. That kept Down in touch, 1-6 to 1-8 behind at the break.

Donnelly had a second major within 30 seconds of the restart. Barry O’Hagan this time made the incision, utilising Donagh McAleenan for a one-two that allowed Donnelly space in behind. He rattled it past Odhran Lynch.

Nobody scored for the next nine minutes and then Down added a third goal. Andrew Gilmore cut along the endline and squared back into the path of Ceilum Doherty, who fired into the roof of the net.

Four down, Derry hauled themselves level within five minutes. That was the spell that they’ll take most from. When it was asked of them, with bare numbers to come in and swing the momentum, they kicked four consecutive scores from play.

Niall Toner got two of them and Oisin McWilliams, who again impressed off the bench, and Ben McCarron got the others.

Chrissy McKaigue’s straight red card for a hand-off into the face of Ceilum Doherty made no difference to the game’s direction. In fact, Derry scored the only two points in the time they were a man down.

Then Ryan McEvoy got a second booking for Down with six minutes left and they kicked the next two to draw level again. There was a softness to both frees at the death, particularly Derry’s. Barry O’Hagan and Shane McGuigan pointed to send it straight to penalties after a sensible pre-match call to spare the players extra-time.

Odhrán Lynch, whose goalkeeping technique has come under scrutiny in the past year, made a brilliant one-handed save from Andrew Gilmore and then a second block from Ryan Mason. Barry O’Hagan made it three misses from three for Down, but they survived right until the final penalty, stroked home confidently by Conor Doherty.

So Derry won. But it doesn’t feel one bit like Down lost.

MATCH STATS

Down: J O’Hare; C Francis, R McEvoy, P McCarthy; N McParland; C Doherty (1-0), P Laverty (0-1), R Magill; N Donnelly (2-0), O Murdock; L Kerr (0-1), D McAleenan (0-1), S Millar; P Havern (0-3), B O’Hagan (0-3 frees)

Subs: A Gilmore for Millar (39), M Rooney for McAleenan (51), P Branagan for Francis (51), M Walsh for Havern (57), P Quinn for Magill (67), R Mason for Kerr (71)

Penalties scored: C Doherty, O Murdock

Penalties missed: A Gilmore, R Mason, B O’Hagan

Yellow cards: B O’Hagan (4), R McEvoy (45, 64)

Red card: R McEvoy (64, second yellow)

Derry: O Lynch; C McKaigue, E McEvoy; C Doherty; C McCluskey, P McGrogan, Padraig Cassidy (1-0); G McKinless, B Rogers (0-1); N Toner (0-5), S McGuigan (0-6, 0-4 frees), Paul Cassidy; B McCarron (0-1), A Tohill, L Murray (0-1 mark)

Subs: O McWilliams (0-1) for Tohill (44), P McNeill for L Murray (75)

Temporary sub: P McNeill for McKinless (60-66)

Penalties scored: S McGuigan, Paul Cassidy, C Doherty

Penalties missed: P McGrogan, N Toner

Yellow cards: C McKaigue (4), A Tohill (14), C Doherty (34), S McGuigan (66)

Red card: C McKaigue (53, straight red)

Referee: N McKenna (Monaghan)

Cahair O'Kane at Páirc Esler
Irish News - https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2023/01/16/news/down_got_what_they_needed_from_january-2999742/

Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup semi-final: Down 3-9 Derry 1-15 (Derry win 3-2 on penalties)

WHAT odds, really, about a McKenna Cup when you get all you need from it even in defeat?

Yesterday’s rip-roaring semi-final would easily have passed for a tail-end league game. Derry won it, Down lost it. That part was decided by a penalty shootout that pivoted just as the 70 minutes before it had.

Down might have liked another game, another week of holding on to the extra panel members that will now be cut before they start their league campaign down in Thurles in 13 days’ time.

Derry, with their threadbare numbers that tallied just 22 fit players yesterday, and Tyrone will get another slap at other in Armagh on Saturday evening.

When you compare it to the farce of what’s going on in other provinces, the Ulster teams have had a completely different level of preparation.

“It is very well known that Down have got their act together under new management team, to their great credit,” enthused Rory Gallagher afterwards.

“They have got everyone training, training exceptionally hard, you can see the level of fitness and power they have in comparison to where they were, it is light and day.

“Kilcoo have been heavyweights, Burren have some excellent minors teams as well so we know there are good players there, from playing against them in colleges.

“But I am delighted with our response. I think we were the better team. Mistakes in the first half handed them 1-2 which was cruel, in the sense of instead of being four or five up, we were two up.

“We responded well to the two goals, not happy about giving two goals away but it is early in the season.

“We haven’t done a lot of work on the pitch, defensively or anything like that. But we responded well, missed a lot of chances, but an awful good experience for the lads.

“From day one, you want to be a team for all seasons, it’s the start of the journey for Lachlan Murray, it’s the start of the journey for Ben McCarron to an extent. Eoin McEvoy, Brendan Rogers playing in the middle of the park.

“Obviously Lynchy, Clucky and those boys are still young. They have had a successful season last year, but the more games they play, the more tests they get, the more challenges they get, the better they know the game.”

Gallagher said they’d review Chrissy McKaigue’s second-half sending off before deciding whether to appeal, although in pointing to Padraig Hampsey successfully having his dismissal from last week’s meeting with Derry overturned, he was perhaps leaning towards at least trying.

Down’s McKenna Cup campaign brought victories over Division One opposition Monaghan and Donegal, and they took Derry the distance.

There’ll be no trophy at the end of it but having won just three games in this competition against county teams in the last ten years, the promise in their opening to the year was reflected by the packed and noisy stand in Newry.

“We’ve got a wee bit of meterage into the legs,” said coach Mickey Donnelly.

“Three games against three decent teams. Donegal and Monaghan were both very understrength, Derry maybe to a lesser extent.

“Just trying to get a wee bit of belief into these lads that they can be competitive, and trying to be competitive in all games. It’s massive preparation for Tipp in 13 days.

“We’re all competitive, whether you’re playing darts or cards or snooker, you wanna win. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in a Down jersey, a Derry jersey or a Kerry jersey, these lads play football because they wanna win football matches.

“Putting belief in a group is probably about having that wee sense of togetherness as well, and I think we’re getting there,” said the former Derry U20 manager.

On Saturday 14^th January at a special lunch in Clandeboye Lodge  a presentation took place of the Down U20s hurlers with their All Ireland medals when they won the Richie McElligott Cup with a victory over Roscommon at Breffni Park last May. Along with them were the winners of the U17 Peadar Ó Laitháin Cup from 2020, who due to Covid restrictions at the time were unable to be presented with their winners medals after a thrilling last minute win over Meath in Navan just before Christmas of that year.

The functions was attended by Uachtarán Chomhairle Uladh Ciaran McLaughlin &  Diarmuid O’Sullivan who addressed players, team management, parents &  Down officials. After their meal Uachtarán Chomhairle Uladh Ciaran McLaughlin &  Diarmuid O’Sullivan presented the players with their medals and congratulated them on their success. Diarmuid spoke of how progress in hurling over the last few years within the county had culminated in Downs first ever win at this level for the U20s and that it could mark the start of a journey to further success later on at senior level with the right commitment and belief.

The Carlow senior hurlers overcame Down in the Kehoe Cup on a scoreline of 1-25 to 1-20 in Abbottstown on Sunday.

Ciarán Whelan starred for Carlow as he scored 0-12 in Tom Mullaly's side's five-point victory.  Halft time score Carlow 0-12 Down 0-11.

Derry edge Down in penalty shoot-out to reach McKenna Cup final against Tyrone

January 15, 2023

©INPHO/Tom Maher

Derry are through to the Dr McKenna Cup final after edging Down in a penalty shoot-out at Pairc Esler this afternoon.

The sides couldn’t be separated after 70 minutes at the Newry venue, where it finished 3-9 to 1-15, this thrilling semi-final went straight to spot kicks with no extra time periods played.

Conor Doherty struck the winning penalty for the visitors while ‘keeper Odhran Lynch stopped Down’s first two spot kicks, as Rory Gallagher’s men now look forward to a final date against Tyrone next weekend.

Padraig Cassidy netted the game’s first goal after 16 minutes and while Niall Donnelly pulled one back for the Mourne men on the half-hour mark, it was the Oak Leafers that took in a 1-8 to 1-6 half-time lead.

The hosts started the second-half in the best possible fashion with Donnelly firing in his second goal of the contest and they’d have the ball in Derry’s net again seven minutes later through Ceilium Doherty.

Ben McCarron’s point at the other end made it 3-6 to 1-10 and, from there, the Ulster champions were able to retake the lead ahead of Down getting in front in injury-time and Shane McGuigan drawing the game with the last kick from a free.

The lottery of penalties then went the way of Gallagher’s men (3-2), with Doherty the hero as they now get set to face old rivals Tyrone next Saturday with some silverware on the line.