The future hurlers of mainland Down are in action this weekend with a full programme of fixtures in the Under 12 and 16 championships.

The Under 12s get underway on Friday evening (6.45 p.m.) with Castlewellan hosting Bredagh and Clonduff meeting Warrenpoint. Perhaps the highlight of the round however will be the meeting of Carryduff and Ballyvarley. Ballyvarley annexed the Under 12 mainland league earlier in the summer but Carryduff ran them close in their last meeting. With home advantage, the Carryduff boys will be hoping to cause an upset but will have to be at their best to overcome the West Down side. In the fourth quarter final of the weekend, Liatroim and Shamrocks meet at Hilltown on Sunday in the curtain raiser to the IHC clash between the same two clubs.

A number of Under 16 Championship matches are also down for decision, on Saturday. Championship favourites Liatroim travel to the winners of Shamrocks and Ballela (being played on Wednesday evening). Also on Saturday, Ballyvarley clash with Warrenpoint while Kilclief travel to Castlewellan in what should be a close fought encounter. The final Under 16 quarterfinal matches Bredagh with Carryduff in a local derby encounter on Monday evening. Bredagh have home advantage and will be strong favourites following their recent league win over their neighbours.

Meanwhile, the weekend also sees one Under 14 match when Ballygalget meet a Down Academy side in the semi final of the ‘A’ Championship.