2008 Ulster Championship Launched

Down youth officer Sean Mc Cashin presents the Down Feile Trophy to Glenn captain Kealan O'Connor

Down Feile winners - Glenn

U-15 Football Development Squad.
The Down U-15 Development Squad will be attending an Ulster Council Blitz this Saturday 17th May in MUSA, Cookstown. All players are asked to be at the following pick-up points;

Castlewellan (Upper Square) 8.00am, Kilcoo Shop 8.10am, Hilltown Square 8.20am, Rostrevor 8.30am, Warrenpoint Square 8.40am and Newry (Front of Canal Court) 8.50am.
Players are asked to bring Tracksuit, Wet gear, pack lunch and their own water bottle.

Any player unable to attend should contact Tom 028 9756 5281

Down U-17 Football
There will be a U-17 training session in Dundrum this Saturday 17th May at 10.30am.
Players are asked to be at the following pick-up points:

Bus A Belfast. Ivanhoe Car Park 9.15am, Lidil Car Park, Downpatrick 9.45am, Clough Roundabout 10.00am Castlewellan Lower Square 10.15am, St Patrick’s Park, Newcastle 10.25am

Bus B Banbridge / Newry Area: Downshire, Banbridge 9.00am, Newry, Pairc Esler 9.20am, Warrenpoint Square 9.30am, Rostrevor Square 9.40am , Hilltown 9.50am,

All Players are asked to bring their own water bottle and snack.
Anyone unable to attend should contact Malachy McCourt 077 7173 1494

Ladies Football Round Up

Bryansford are on cloud nine after defeating Clonduff on Saturday evening 0-09 to 0-04. The win has a greater significance as this is Clonduff's first league defeat in over two years. In a close game Bryansford shaded the exchanges and were more productive and energetic in their forward play. Clonduff though the losing team on this occasion are sure to bounce back and I would be surprised if they have any further slip-ups in their remaining games. Elsewhere Castlewellan ran out big winners against Burren and Bredagh had 4 points to spare over Saval. Looking forward to this week and the Wednesday night games; Burren v Saval should go to the wire, Castlewellan v Bredagh is always close and with Clonduff dropping points last week, this is an ideal opportunity for one of these two sides to make up some ground. Bryansford welcome Downpatrick and provided their feet are firmly on the ground they should pick up 2 more points though Downpatrick are unlikely to make it easy for them. Looking to Saturday’s games, I would fancy Clonduff, Bredagh, and Bryansford to gain maximum points. An in-form Annaclone are capable of an upset at Castlewellan, so the town girls will need to be in top form.

Carryduff continued with their recent excellent form amassing a big win against Tullylish, Kilcoo followed suit against Loughinisland and Rostrevor found life difficult against Bredagh before running out 4 point winners. Bright and Ballymartin served up a real thriller on Sunday evening at Pairc Cois Na Fharraige with Laura Sloan scoring the decisive point in injury time to secure a one point win for Ballymartin. Looking forward to Wednesdays games; Rostrevor should have too much firepower for Tullylish, likewise I would expect wins for Bright and Ballymartin. The local derby between Bredagh and Carryduff is always one to look out for in the fixture list but on current form the Carryduff girls should take away maximum points. Saturday's games should see Bredagh and Bright advance victorious. Ballymartin v Rostrevor and Kilcoo v Carryduff should be close and well worth the journey for the supporters as all teams play a very open and attractive style of football. At a push I will go for Ballymartin and Carryduff to advance.

As predicted last week, Aughlisnafin overcame a gallant Clonduff side but found the exchanges a little tougher against the top team in the division Newry Shamrocks falling by 11 points. Shamrocks do look unstoppable at the moment but there is still a lot of football to be played. Drumgath picked up the 2 points on offer against St. Michaels. Looking to Wednesday night’s games should see wins for St. Johns and Teconnaught. Saturday’s fixtures should see wins for Shamrocks and Clonduff. The game of the night in this division is the meeting of Teconnaught and St. Johns. Home advantage is always worth a few points and I would expect this to be enough to see a Teconnaught win on the night.

South Down began defence of Leinster Hurling Shield: Leitrim 2-8 South Down 1-15

Down minor Hurlers in intensive coaching weekend in Kilkenny