DOWN GAA

Cumann Lúthchleas Gael an Dúin

03-07-18

Statement from Down GAA County Committee

Eamonn Burns has informed the County Management Committee this evening of his decision to step down as manager of the Down County Senior Football Team.

The Bryansford man will leave the position after three years in charge of the county side.

Throughout a distinguished playing career, Eamonn was a wonderful servant for Down and the proud holder of two All-Ireland medals.  As manager he brought the same integrity, honesty and hard work to the role that he displayed as a footballer in the red and black.

Despite some challenging times over the last three seasons, the highlight of his tenure was undoubtedly the journey through the 2017 Ulster Championship to the provincial decider, with memorable victories over Armagh and Monaghan.  During the past three seasons, he has unearthed some new talent and Eamonn will pass on the baton in the hope that his successor can build on his work.

Sean Rooney, Chairman of Down GAA, paid tribute to Eamonn Burns this evening, describing the outgoing manager as someone who “worked diligently to bring the county team forward, and did so with admirable pride and dignity.

“We are indebted to him for the time and effort he gave over three seasons and I would wish to place on record our gratitude to him and his management team.  Eamonn was very honourable at all times working tirelessly in pursuit of progress and success and he retains a great desire to see Down re-emerge as a force in football. 

“We would also like to thank the members of his management and backroom teams, in particular Cathal Murray, Aidan Brannigan, Neil Collins, Gerard Colgan and Gearóid Adams”.

END

Down v Cavan All Ireland Qualifier will take place in Brewster Park Enniskillen@ 5.00pm on Saturday 23rd June.

Down have been drawn away to Cavan in the All-Ireland SFC round 2 qualifier draw

FULL DRAW
Tipperary v Mayo
Waterford v Monaghan
Cavan v Down
Carlow v Tyrone
Offaly v Clare
Kildare v Longford
Sligo v Armagh
Leitrim v Louth

The first team drawn has home advantage except where a Division 3 or 4 team from this year's Allianz league was drawn against a Division 1 or 2 team. That means, for example, that Kildare will have to travel to Glennon Bros Pearse Park to take on Longford.

The match venues and times will be confirmed by the GAA's CCCC this afternoon with the fixtures scheduled for the weekend of June 23/24.

All matches will be required to finish on the day under the new Championship protocols.

Here are the names that will be in the hat for this morning's All-Ireland SFC second round qualifiers draw which will be broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland. Injured Mayo star Tom Parsons and GAA President John Horan will do the honours and this weekend's qualifier winners (Armagh, Cavan, Kildare, Mayo, Tyrone, Offaly, Waterford and Louth) will be in Pot 1.

Their opponents will come from Pot 2 which will contain the names of the defeated provincial semi-finalists - Carlow, Clare, Down, Longford, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo and Tipperary The first team drawn will have home advantage, unless a team that were in Division 3 or 4 of the Allianz Football League this season are drawn against a Division 1 or 2 team, in which case the lower ranked team will have home-field advantage.

The draw will take place at 8.30am and the matches will be played on the weekend of 23 and 24 of June.

Donegal 2-22
Down 1-12

Donegal made light of Neil McGee's straight red card after just 11 minutes to hammer Down in Clones and set up an Ulster football final showdown with Fermanagh on Sunday, June 24.

Leo McLoone and Jamie Brennan scored goals in either half as the 14-men cruised to a 13-point success. Niall Donnelly pulled back a late goal for a Down side who were outclassed by an impressive Donegal side who led by 1-12 to 0-7 at the interval. On this evidence, they will be warm favourites to overcome Fermanagh - now managed by former Donegal boss Rory Gallagher - in the provincial decider and progress to the Super 8s in the process.

Before a crowd of 12,051, Declan Bonner's charges signalled their intent with early points from Paul Brennan, Michael Murphy (free), Paddy McBrearty ('45) and Caolan Ward. But they were then dealt what appeared to be a huge blow when experienced full back McGree was dismissed following an altercation with Connaire Harrison.

However, Donegal's response to going a man down was emphatic. They scored a further 1-4 without reply to lead by 1-8 to 0-0 by the 22nd minute. Murphy and McBrearty had points before McLoone raised the game's first green flag after Ciaran Thompson's initial effort had come back off the post.

Attacking wing back Caolan Mooney finally opened the Mournemen's account in the 25th minute before Harrison and Donal O'Hare added their tally. Harrison's third point reduced the deficit to five, but the winners finished the half with three-in-a-row from Ryan McHugh, Jamies Brennan and Ciaran Thompson to take a commanding lead into the interval.

Donegal resumed with further scores from Murphy and McBrearty before they put the game to bed in the 45th minute when Brennan finished to an empty net after Murphy, Thompson and McHugh had been involved in the build-up.

That goal put the Tir Chonaill outfit 15 points clear and Down were lucky not to be further behind after McBrearty hit the post with another goal attempt.

Shaun Patton saved brilliantly from O'Hare at the other end before he was eventually beaten by Niall Donnelly with the last kick of a disappointingly one-sided contest.

Donegal: S Patton; P McGrath, N McGee, E Gallagher; C Ward (0-1), P Brennan (0-2), R McHugh (0-2); H McFadden, L McLoone (1-0); C Thompson (0-1), M Langan, F McGlynn; P McBrearty (0-6, 3f), M Murphy (0-5, 3f), J Brennan (1-3). Subs: D O Baoill for Langan (43), O MacNiallais for McLoone (48), C Mulligan for Thompson (48), S McMenamin (0-1) for Gallagher (53), M McHugh (0-1) for McGlynn (57), E Doherty for P Brennan (64).

Down: M Reid; C Flanagan, B McArdle, A Doherty; D O'Hagan, N McParland, C Mooney (0-1); P Turley, N Donnelly (1-1); K McKernan, C Maginn (0-2), S Millar; D O'Hare (0-4, 3f), C Harrison (0-4) R Millar. Subs: R Johnston for R Millar (BC 21), R Wells for McParland (h-t), S Dornan for S Millar (BC 36), C Poland for Doherty (48), D McKibben for Turley (54), F Flynn for McKibbin (64 BC).

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).

PHOTO: Down's Kevin McKernan gets a hand on Donegal's Eoghan Ban Gallagher ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Derry fought back from a 10-point deficit to win a thrilling Ulster U20 Football Championship semi-final against Down at Clones. Down hit two quick goals through Pierce Laverty and Aaron Devlin on their way to a 2-8 0-7 lead at the break.

The Mourne side increased the gap before the Derry comeback with Lorcan McWilliams and Callum Brown netting as the Oak Leafers clinched victory. Conor McCrickard punished every misdemeanour with his accurate free-taking as Down eased ahead early on.

But McWilliams was equally potent from placed balls at the other end, and eased his side into a two points lead early in the second quarter. Down struck for two goals in the space of two minutes to turn the game emphatically in their favour.

Aaron Magee sent Laverty in for a low finish to the bottom corner of the net and then Devlin danced through for a brilliant individual strike.

Down forward Aaron Devlin hits the Derry net in but the Oak Leafers went to to secure victory A couple of scores from the excellent Daniel Guinness and a Magee effort had the Mourne lads five points to the good, and they finished the half with another flourish, with McCrickard hitting his fifth point.

Laverty stretched the lead out to 10 points as Down stepped up the pressure before McWilliams re-launched the Oak Leaf challenge as he netted a 34th minute penalty.

Brown fetched and netted a second goal seven minutes later, and Derry were on their way. They had scores from the McWilliams twins, Oisin and Lorcan, as well as Ben McCarron and Conor Doherty, going ahead by the 53rd minute. Down skipper and centre back Oisin McConvey was sent-off but kept in touch through sub Liam Kerr, who clipped over two points.

However, the momentum was with Derry, and they squeezed home with late scores from Lorcan McWilliams, who finished with 1-7, and Conleth McShane. Derry scorers: L McWilliams 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-5f), C Brown 1-0, B McCarron 0-4 (1f), O McWilliams 0-3, C Doherty (f), C McCluskey, C McShane 0-1 each. Down scorers: A Devlin 1-2 (0-1f), P Laverty 1-1, C McCrickard 0-4 (4f), D Guinness 0-3, L Kerr 0-2 (1f), A Magee, J McCartan, C Cox 0-1 each.

Derry: O Martin; S McKeever, C McCluskey, E Cormican; S Downey, C Doherty, D Cassidy; M McGrogan, D Rafferty, B McCarron, O McWilliams, J McAtamney; C Doherty, C Brown, L McWilliams.

Subs: C McShane for McAtamney (27), M Bradley for McGrogan (49), A Tohil for Downey (56), A Bradley for Doherty (61), E Bradley for L McWilliams (61)

Down: D Ross; B Gallen, F McIlroy, A Lynch; C Cox, O McConvey, S Annett; L Middleton, J Connery; O McCabe, P Laverty, D Guinness; A Devlin, C McCrickard, A Magee.

Subs: J McCartan for Devlin (41), L Kerr for Middleton (43), G McKibben for Magee (51), R Martin for Gallen (52), R Fegan for Connery (63)

Referee: C Dourneen (Cavan).

All-Ireland Qualifier Second Round:

Tipperary v Mayo

Waterford v Monaghan

Cavan v Down

Carlow v Tyrone Offaly v Clare

Kildare v Longford

Sligo v Armagh

Leitrim v Louth

Matches to be played on the weekend of 23/24 June

Competition: Ulster Under 20 Championship 2018

Date: 10^th June 2018

Team: An Dún

Opposition: Doire

Manager: Conor Deegan

Captain: Oisin McConvey