Taken from Mourne Observe

THE much-anticipated Down club championships get under way this weekend with fixtures spread over six days at 15 venues.

A big crowd is expected in Downpatrick on Friday evening to see how Castlewellan fare against current champions Bryansford. Barney McAleenan's team has been ravaged by injuries all year and the latest victim has been Ciaran McCabe whose absence will certainly be felt against the Ford.

The Town will be looking to Fintan McGreevey and Shay McVeigh in particular to get points on the board.

Bryansford seem to be coming back to form at the right time for the championship and have a big pool of talented players to select from. Veterans Brian Burns, Gerard Morgan and Aidan Shields will be well focused for the 2004 championship and up front Colm Kearney, Shane King and Chris Brannigan will present a serious threat. They won't find it easy to get one past Mickey McVeigh. Even so Castlewellan will require a big game from Gregory McCartan if they are to seriously trouble the title-holders.

While Bryansford and Mayobridge are joint favourites, most of the other contenders feel that they are there with a real chance of going all the way. Liatroim are a serious force to be reckoned with and should get over their first hurdle, Ballyholland, with something to spare.

It would be foolhardy to predict the outcome of most of the other matches. Burren v An Riocht, Longstone v Rostrevor, Annaclone v Downpatrick and Loughinisland v Saval could go either way.

There are likely to be a couple of draws. Mayobridge should shade it over Clonduff while Kilcoo will meet a difficult challenge from Warrenpoint but should survive.

Intermediate favourites Atticall will be wary going into their local derby with Glasdrumman who pushed Longstone to a point last year.

Ballymartin will also put it up to the other fancied team, Shamrocks. Ardglass and Kilclief will be a fiercely contested local derby at Castlewellan and Glenn and Saul will also be a tight contest at Drumnaquoile.

Carryduff have the potential to create a minor surprise by beating Darragh Cross and Dundrum have the potential to do likewise against Clann na Banna.

It should be a great festival of football and Seamas Walsh will probably have to pencil in a few replays afterw

ards.