Championship reports - Peter McGrath Jr    -       Photo  Louis Mc Nally

The action in the Morgan Fuels senior championship gets underway on Friday night with the meeting of Glenn and Burren. Glenn’s quarter final win over Mayobridge is the biggest “giant-killing” of the championship to date as the side relegated to Division Three for next year dispensed with the Sky Blues with seven points to spare. For them to climb another rung of the ladder will require an even bigger upset however as they are now paired with a Burren side long since viewed as the main challengers to Kilcoo’s dominance and the only side other than the Magpies to win a senior title since Kilcoo began this period of greatness in 2009. One thing in Glenn’s favour is that they have been scoring consistently - the 1-11 notched against Saval in the opening round remains the lowest of the tallies they’ve posted and, while they managed just 1-12 against Mayobridge they could easily have had another few goals in that game. Things look less favourable for the underdogs when we look at the head to head with Burren victorious on all of the five most recent occasions the sides have clashed in all competitions.

The St Mary’s side will be keen for a return to the decider for the first time since 2021 having faltered at the quarter final stage last year. Mayobridge’s defeat will have acted as a timely warning that Glenn cannot be taken for granted and, as a side littered with county players from back to front, the Burren men will be keen to assert superiority early in this tie. Glenn must ensure they don’t allow early goals to go in as Loughinisland did when Burren met them in round two. Burren’s other matches have been won by four points (vs Warrenpoint) and six points (vs Ballyholland). If Glenn can keep this one tight heading into the final stretch then they will be able to sow seeds of doubt in Burren minds and that could open a route to victory for them - especially as Burren haven’t yet had to come from behind in this year’s championship.

Sunday’s second semi final sees the renewal of the fierce local rivalry between Kilcoo and Clonduff. Both camps will be quietly confident they have the arsenal required to emerge triumphant but it’s Kilcoo who have proven it more in recent times. Though Clonduff have tended to edge it in league meetings, when it comes to the championship Kilcoo are a different animal entirely and always find a way to get past the Yella’s. Last year they met twice in the championship. In round one Kilcoo recorded a facile victory over a passive and laboured Clonduff but in the quarter final the tables turned and the Magpies had to pull the game out of the fire before scraping through a dramatic penalty shootout - alas though, they found a way as they always seem to do in championship football.
Their wins in this year’s championship have been built on a super-solid defensive platform established by Karl Lacey that has seen them concede just 0-20 over their three games and, even in the last round, when Carryduff seemed to have them pinned to a wall, they had still conceded a measly four points by the time Cian Clinton was dismissed near the end of the first half.
The experience the Magpies have built up in recent times, not least annexing an All-Ireland club title gives them an advantage for sure but Clonduff will feel their day against their neighbours is coming and, if they can get their forwardline firing on all
cylinders, a decent return from their middle sector as regards ball winning and keep it tight at the back to prevent goal chances, their belief that Sunday could be their day may not be as fanciful as some believe.

In the Parador Lodge intermediate football championship the draw worked favourably for the two pre-tournament favourites, keeping Rostrevor and Liatroim apart. Rostrevor travel to Liatroim on Saturday evening to take on St John’s. After a good Division three campaign the Johnnies were tipped for big things by some but struggled in the early rounds, beating Annaclone on penalties and then losing to An Riocht by a goal (a side who Rostrevor hammered a couple of weeks ago). An extra time win over Newry Shamrocks will buoy St John’s but they have their work cut out against Benny Coulter’s reds.
Losing to Shamrocks was a defeat that sparked Rostrevor into life. Several key men were back in the team for the round three game against Drumgath and, after a slow start in the quarter-final some superb attacking play led to them firing a spectacular total of 6-10 in dispensing An Riocht. A similar level of attacking play would see them through comfortably here but performances like that are hard to replicate. That said, there should be enough quality in the ranks for Rostrevor to get the job done.

The Fontenoys play on Sunday afternoon against Annaclone in Castlewellan. Whether they took their eye off the ball against Darragh Cross in the quarter final or just knew they’d do enough to win remains to be seen. They had hammered Darragh early in the competition but two weeks ago got past them by just five points. With the hurling being played on alternate weeks to the football the freshness, or lack thereof, of the Liatroim dual players versus other clubs who don’t have that same commitment could yet prove a determining factor.
Annaclone will be keen for a big scalp. They almost took Rostrevor at the quarter-final stage last year and this year beat Ballymartin handily having overcome Bosco previously- two big wins to help them recover from that first round penalty shootout defeat to St John’s. They’ve found their shooting boots and though they will be well aware of the size of the task in hand and know that Liatroim will have to have a bit of an off day - should that happen, Annaclone will be waiting in the wings.

 

This weekend sees the various Down championships reach the semi final stage and in each grade the line ups look like they could deliver some mouthwatering ties with the potential for a few upsets present also.

The two semi finals in the Parador Lodge junior championship take place on Saturday at 2:00pm. In the first of these the two beaten semi-finalists from last year - East Belfast and Ardglass - meet.
East Belfast have been rejuvenated since the start of the championship and their two point quarter-final win over Dundrum will
give them huge confidence. Ardglass started the league really well before dropping off but have roared back in the championship and limited Aghaderg to five points in the quarter-final. Ardglass’ semi-final last year was a tight, low scoring affair too and this game could take a similar pattern (Ardglass have scored just one goal in reaching the semi-final between the group and knock out stages). Despite their inefficiency in finding three pointers, the fishermen will believe this is a job they can get done and make it to the showpiece.

In the other semi-final pre-competition favourites Drumaness meet with Kilclief. Drumaness have had their challenges with games clashing with local soccer leading to player absenteeism and this match is likely to clash again. Poor results almost saw the Drums beaten at the group stage and it took a replayed quarter-final for them to find a way past a Dromara side who were runners up in last year’s junior championship. Waiting in the wings is Kilclief. They beat a Glasdrumman side who had been performing well in the championship by some 18 points in a real statement of intent to qualify for this stage and have racked up 10-53 in their four championship outings (conceding 4-31). With that firepower they will fancy their chances of going all the way.

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA are saddened to learn today of the death of Liam Hinphey, father of Emer member of our County Audit and Risk Committee. Liam was a passionate hurling man who gave great service to his adopted County of Derry at both County and Club Level. 

We extend our deepest sympathy to Liam's wife Mary K, to his children Emer, Kieran, Kevin and Liam, his grandchildren and the Gaels of Kevin Lynch's in Dungiven and the wider family of Derry GAA, on the loss of a husband, father, grandfather, a man whose passion was to spread the hurling gospel.

Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.

Notices of Sympathy

On behalf of Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA, we would like to express our sympathy  on the recent passing of Ben Russell and Patricia McCashin.  

Ben was the brother of Patsy Russell, Patsy is a member of our commentary Team on Down GAA TV and we would like to offer our condolences to Patsy and the entire Russell family circle on the passing of a much loved brother.

Patricia,  was the wife of Gerry McCashin, All Ireland Medal winner in 1961 and we offer our sympathy to Gerry, his daughter Jacqueline, son in law Eamonn  grandchildren and great grandchildren on the loss of a much loved wife, mother and grandmother.

Funeral Arrangement

Patricia will be reposing in the Chapel of Rest Down Funeral Directors 26 John Street BT30 6BY.

The family will be in attendance Monday and Tuesday 4pm-8pm.

Patsy will leave the funeral home on Wednesday morning at 10.45am for Requiem Mass in St Patrick’s Church at 11am. Internment afterwards at the family burial ground in St Patrick’s Cemetery Killough Road.

Coiste Chontae an Dúin and the family that is Down GAA, were saddened to learn of the death of Declan O'Hare son of our Referee Eugene, we extend our deepest sympathy to Eugene and Donna on the loss of a much loved son and we think too of Declan's own children Lexi and Caoimhin, his brothers Liam and Eugene, his granny Mary and the entire family circle, whilst also remembering his late bother Kevin at this sad time.

To the Gaels of Dromara we also offer our condolences.

Funeral Arrangements

O'Hare, Ringsend, Dromara, died 9th September 2023, suddenly, Declan, beloved son of Eugene and Donna, loving brother of Eugene, Liam and the late Kevin, father of Lexi and Caoimhin, grandson of Mary, 11 Ringsend Road.

Funeral on Wednesday from his parents residence at 11.15am to St. Michaels Church, Finnis for 12.00 noon Requiem Mass. Burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery.

Deeply regretted by the entire O'Hare and Savage family circles, his sister-in-law Janine, and nieces.

Donations in lieu of flowers to P.I.P.S c/o Gerard McMullan Funeral Director, 47 High Street Ballynahinch BT24 8AB. For enquiries phone 0777 333 8824.

Round 2   - Down GAA Club Championship

This weekend sees the second round of the Down club championships and the first teams will exit the competition at both intermediate and senior grades and enter relegation play offs while four in clubs in each of those competitions will make it straight through to the quarter finals.

The group stages of the Parador lodge Junior football championship will also continue to progress and take greater shape.

With Teconnaught having beaten Aughlisnafin on Thursday evening, Friday remains the preserve of the Parador Lodge Intermediate Football Championship with four fixtures taking place including An Riocht and St John’s which will be shown live on Down GAA TV.

On Saturday some of the pre-tournament favourites for the Intermediate crown are in action as Shamrocks take on Rostrevor and Liatroim play Darragh Cross.

The Morgan Fuels senior championship also resumes on Saturday with three fixtures of which Burren and Loughinisland will be streamed on Down GAA TV.

Also on Saturday in the Junior Championship Dundrum face Aghaderg, Glasdrumman play Ardglass, St Michael’s take on Kilclief and Drumaness meet East Belfast.

On Sunday there is a triple header on Down GAA TV with Ballyholland playing Saval before the Minor Championship final between Kilcoo and Mayobridge is shown, followed by the senior clash between the same two clubs.

An Riocht and Drumgath also meet on Sunday in the u17 Cup final while the shield final between Longstone and Darragh Cross is on Monday night.

Monday’s Down GAA TV Match is the much anticipated clash of Clonduff and RGU.

https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2023/08/13/news/down_ladies_edge_past_limerick_to_triumph_in_junior_final-3526798/

TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship Final: Down 1-7 Limerick 0-8 

ORLA Swail was Down’s goal-scoring hero as the Mourne County made an immediate return to intermediate football after a two-points victory over Limerick in the All-Ireland Junior Championship Final in Croke Park. 

The game was in the balance at 0-6 apiece with just over a quarter of it remaining when substitute Swail found the back of the net in the 43rd minute, just as she had done in the semi-final win over Carlow.

It was, as expected, a hard-fought battle between the two sides and Limerick, no doubt, will feel it was one they let go, having had periods of dominance but failed to reflect that on the scoreboard and even when Down did get the decisive goal, they still had chances but did not take them. Down, on the other hand, will be delighted to achieve their goal of an All-Ireland title - a first since 2014 when they won the intermediate crown - but more importantly getting back up to intermediate football at the first time of asking where they will join Antrim, Tyrone, Monaghan and Cavan in the provincial competition next season.  

Natasha Ferris, who led the race for the Golden Boot award for the top-scorer across all three championships going into the final, opened the scoring from a free in the third minute as Down enjoyed the better of the opening few minutes.  

Limerick, however, settled and three unanswered points from lively corner forward Caoimhe MccGrath, the first from play followed up with two from frees, saw the Shannonsiders move 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 10 minutes. They appeared to be getting the better foothold in the game with McGrath, full-forward Amy Ryan and their number 11 Karen O’Leary looking dangerous while at the other end, Down’s final pass looked to be letting them down. 

Ferris though was keeping Down firmly in touch and she levelled the game at 0-3 apiece after 18 minutes with another free and her first from play, that point a very well-worked team move that started from an Amy McGivern kick-out with Niamh Scullion heavily involved as she linked between the defensive and attacking lines. 

The game’s first real goal chance fell to Limerick in the 20th minute. Deborah Murphy played a superb ball in from the right that found her captain Roisin Ambrose incoming on the far edge of the square, though she could only find the side netting but it was a let-off for Down as they failed to track her in. 

At the other end, Viv McCormack’s connection on the end of a high ball wasn’t strong enough to cause Carol Bateman any real problems a minute later while immediately down the other end, Limerick stretched the Down defence again but McGrath’s effort flashed across the face of the goal and wide. 

McGrath got Limerick’s first point for some 15 minutes when she converted a free to edge them back in front but an inspiring point from the boot of Mourne corner forward Aimee O’Higgins drew the sides level again, 0-4 each. 

That sparked Down into life and from Limerick kick-out they overturned possession and Ferris was on hand to put the Ulster champions in front for the first time since the third minute and as the tempo increased in the final minutes of the half, Down’s defensive especially held firm, Natalie McKibbin with a notable interception seconds before the whistle when Limerick had found themselves two on one, the wing half back biding her time and standing tall to win possession as her side held the most slender of leads at the break, 0-5 to 0-4. 

Deborah Murphy had the sides level for the third time within 30 seconds of the restart before O’Leary put Limerick back into the lead but O’Higgins brought Down level for a third time in the 38th minute after she reacted quickest to the ball coming back off the upright.

Orla Swail of Down celebrates after scoring her side's goal. Photo by John Sheridan/Sportsfile

The goal came after substitute Kate McKay, with her first touch, won possession from a hot ball about 30 metres out, was fouled, took a quick free into fellow substitute Swail, who had only been on the field a matter of minutes, and just as she did in the semi-final against Carlow, took one two defenders, found the little bit of space she needed and struck the ball low and hard into the bottom left corner of the Limerick net.  

Limerick substitute Irish Kennelly pointed in the 49th minute to put two between them but crucially then then lost O’Leary to the sin bin with nine minutes remaining meaning they would see out the game with 14 players. Ferris, bringing her tally to five, got the next sore to put Down back into the lead by three and although corner back Meadhbh O’Leary made it a two point game again with two minutes remaining, Down had done enough.  

Down: A McGivern; A Greene, C Byrne, O Boyle; N McKibbin, M Doherty (capt), O Duffy; A Laverty, A Brogan; N Scullion, V McCormack, L Duffy; E Fitzpatrick, N Ferris (0-5, 0-2f), A O’Higgins (0-2) 

Subs: C Mulvenna for McCormack (ht), O Swail (1-0) for Fitzpatrick, P Smyth for Laverty (38), K McKay for O’Higgins (41), E Martin for Doherty (57) 

Limerick: C Bateman; A Quaid, Y Lee, M MacNamara (0-1); G Lee, L Walshe, L Ryan; R Ambrose (capt), F Bradshaw; D Murphy (0-1), K O’Leary (0-1), C Mee; L Coughlan, A Ryan, C McGrath (0-4, 0-3f) 

Subs: K Heelan for Bradshaw (32), I Kennelly (0-1) for Ryan (39), A O’Sullivan for McGrath (51) 

Referee: Angela Gallagher (Dublin)