A selection of the underage hurlers of Warrenpoint  with Star Cork Midfielder Tom Kenny after the Down match.

The Down County Board continued their hurling promotion drive with a “meet and greet” session for the young players of the county after the Cork match in Mitchel Park, Ballygalget.

Ulster have few All Star hurlers and no All-Ireland medalists and it was a rare opportunity for the young players of Down to meet their heroes in the flesh.  Down keeper Graham Carke thought the idea was brilliant  and pointed to Cork as the heroes who inspired him to hurl.  On display were multiple All-Star winners John Gardiner, Joe Deane , Wayne Sherlock and Niall McCarthy as well as Down stars Gareth (magic) Johnston and Brendan Mc Gourty. 

In spite of the conditions local hurling clubs including Clonduff, Warrenpoint and Castlewellan made good use of the opportunity.

Clonduff  u-14 players P. Brannigan, C Mcshane, P Branagan, P. Fitzpatrick, R, Branagan, S. Downey   L. Brannigan, C. Brown and S Murnin meet Down’s Dula star Gareth (Magic) Johnston.