Down and Antrim draw at Casement 08/03/2004
NFL Div 2B: Antrim 1-9 Down 1-9
A late point from St Gall's man Kieran McGourty earned Antrim a share of the Division 2B spoils against neighbours Down at Casement Park on Sunday past. In the opening half of this game Antrim played the better football and lead 1-05 to 0-04 at half time, with Paul Close scoring the goal in injury time, flicking a Peter McCann cross to the net.
Down opened the scoring in the second half with three points, two from Liam Doyle and one from Ronan Sexton, to get back within a point of Antrim. However Daryl Martin and Kevin Madden separated the by three again.
Down were reduced to 14 players when Ronan Murtagh was sent off in the 59th minute after a flare up between players and managers. The setback seemed to inspire the Mourne men and with four minutes remaining, Greg McCartan fisted home a goal to level the sides. Within 60 seconds the same player pointed a free to put the Mournemen in front but in the dieing minutes Kevin McGourty snatched a late equaliser.

Antrim - S McGreevy, K Murray, T Convery, J McKeever, S Kelly 0-1, R O’Loan, A Finnegan, J Quinn, D Martin 0-1, P McCann 0-4, K Brady, K McGourty 0-1, P Close 1-0, D O’Hare, K Madden 0-2. Subs: N Ward for McKeever, M McGarry for Martin

Down - B McVeigh, B Ward, A Molloy, A Scullion, M Cole, A Shields, S Farrell, B Coulter, G McCartan 1-2, R Murtagh 0-1, L Doyle 0-2, G McCrickard, D Hughes 0-1, D Gordon 0-2, R Sexton 0-1. Subs: J Lavery for Shields, S Kearney for McCrickard, J Clarke for Sexton, K McGuigan for Cole, E McCartan for Coulter

Referee - M Hughes (Tyrone)

Promotion push now on for Paddy O'Rourke's men 04/03/2004
After their impressive third round win over Derry a few weeks ago in the National Football League (Division 2B), Down will be hoping for a promotion push when they take on near-neighbours, Antrim in the fourth round game at Casement Park, Belfast on Sunday 7th March.
This is a game that the Mourne county will be expecting to win, although they won't want to under-estimate P J. O'Hare side who were impressive winners themselves last time out away to Waterford. Both sides are in joint third place in the group, and another loss would almost certainly run out the losers from the promotion race.
In their remaining games – Down are at home to Waterford and Kildare and away to Louth, while Antrim are away to Derry, and finish with home matches against Tipperary and Wicklow. So you can see a win on Sunday for either sides is vital in what is turning out to be a very interesting push for promotion to the top division.

McCartan appears in Dublin court 03/03/2004
Down GAA star James McCartan appeared in a Dublin court on Wednesday charged with assaulting an opponent. McCartan, denies breaking the jaw of Westmeath full-back Kenny Larkin during a match last May.
Judge Timothy Lucey was told that 19-year-old Mr Larkin, a trainee Garda officer, needed three metal plates inserted into his chin and had to wear a jaw brace for six weeks.
Defence counsel Karl Finnegan said he would be contesting the manner in which Sgt Feeney said the injuries had occurred.
Judge Lucey accepted jurisdiction in the case. It is listed for mention on 26 March, but McCartan has been excused from attending.
The case is expected to be heard in October and last up to three days.
It will involve around 15 witnesses, many of them high profile Gaelic football players.
The GAA authorities have also been investigating the alleged incident and has deferred judgment on the case until the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
The Association's games administration committee has ordered a new inquiry and is expected to rehear all the evidence, including testimonies from two independent witnesses which have not yet been heard.
They are believed to be umpires who officiated at the match.

Twist to McCartan / Kenny Case 20/02/2004
In a twist to the prolonged case of Kenny Larkin, the Westmeath defender who had his jaw broken in a challenge game against Down last May, the GAC has announced that is to extend its investigation by interviewing more witnesses.
The committee confirmed that James McCartan attended Wednesday night's scheduled meeting in the company of Down County Board representatives and on foot of this they have requested the investigating committee to interview further witnesses in relation to the incident last May.
The GAC had been hoping to wrap up the case on Wednesday night some nine months on from the date of the game that Larkin had his jaw broken.

Coulter faces a race against time 18/02/2004
Benny Coulter faces a race against time to be available for Down's next NFL game against Antrim on 7 March.
Coulter pulled a hamstring shortly after scoring Down's crucial late goal in Sunday's win over Derry.

East Down Awards Dinner
Gerard Brannigan Juvenile Referee of the Year, Paddy Murray East Down Board, Con Reynolds Senior referee of the year	Laim Doyle Liatroim Senior player of the year, Paddy Mc Flynn President, Peter Brannigan Bryansford Reserve player of the year
Sean McCashin (Secretary East Down Board) presenting Hall Of Fame recipient Matt Fitzpatrick, Martin Fitzsimons East Down Chairman Also in pic is Paddy McFlynn and central Council delegate Dan McCartan	Brannigan brothers Peter and Sean Peter with trophy for reserve player and Sean with the Club of The Year Award on behalf of Bryansford   Photos by Seamus O Hanlon

East Down Awards Winner's 22/02/2004
East Down Awards Dinner took place on Friday 20th February in RGU Downpatrick GAC

Senior Player
Liam Doyle Liatriom GAC
Reserve Player
Peter Brannigan Bryansford GAC
Senior Referee
Con Reynolds Saul GAC
Juvenile
Gerard Brannigan Castlewellan GAC
Club of the year
Bryansford GAC
Scor Achievement
Castlewellan GAC
Hall of Fame
Matt Fitzpatrick Carryduff GAC

Also honoured was 6 East Down Gaels who severed as Chairman of the County Board
Tom Mullholland Dromara 1970-1971
Harry McAvoy Carryduff 1977
Benny Crawford Ballygaglet 1979 and 1981
Charlie Keown Liatriom 1985-1987
Kevin Bell Darragh Cross 1997-1999
Eamon O’Toole Loughinisland 2000-

Down over come Derry for first time in 10 years 18/02/2004

GAC plan for end to McCartan/Larkin's jaw saga 18/02/2004

2004 Inter County League Table - Div 2B

McCartan comeback complete? 15/02/2004
There is speculation that ace Down midfielder Gregory McCartan could play some part in his county's Ulster derby duel with Derry in this weekend's NFL tie at Newcastle.
The experienced McCartan has been suffering from an ongoing abdominal strain and he is thought to be on the point of a re-appearance on the Mourne County team.
"He's progressing and could appear at some stage on Sunday," team-spokesman Sean Og McAteer explained, "but he's more likely to be back against Antrim after the break in the league."

Derry hope to leave Down in Mourne-ing 15/02/2004
National Football League - Division 2B
Newcastle 2.30 pm, Sunday 15th Feb 2004

Breen Morgan (middle) with Val Murphy
and Raymond Mc Nally

Morgan leaves a legacy of skill and sportsmanship 15/02/2004
by: Joe Lennon - Irish Independent

Down footballers plunder to a draw with Wicklow 15/02/2004
NFL Round 2: Wicklow 1-05 Down 0-08

Photo's from NFL Wicklow Game

Photo's from Semi Final of Dr McKenna Cup Game Down v Donegal

Death of Down legend 08/02/2004
It is with deep sadness that we report the death of Brian Morgan, the Down corner forward on the All-Ireland winning teams in 1960 and ‘61.
The teak tough Annaclone man was the terror of all defenders and it was his terrific finishing power that did a lot to bring and keep Down in the forefront during the early 60s.
To his family and family circle goes deepest sympathy.

Unimpressive draw for Down in opening league game 02/02/2004
NFL Division 2B Round 1: DOWN 3-11 TIPPERARY 3-11

Donegal win McKenna Cup Semi Fianl against Down 25/01/2004

Challenge win for U-21s 22/01/2004
THE Down U-21 footballers had their first outing of the year as they prepare for the Ulster championship game against Monaghan in March. In a challenge game they had an easy 6-10 to 0-9 victory over Ross Carr’s minor squad.

Down make it three wins in a row in Dr McKenna Cup 19/01/2004
Dr McKenna Cup - Round 3

Coulter Sets the Down Tune against the teachers 12/01/2004
Dr McKenna Cup @ Newry: Down 1-09 v St Mary's College Belfast 0-11

Down Masters (Over 40's) looking for new members 06/01/2004

Down topple 2003 Cup Holders 05/01/2004
Dr McKenna Cup: Monaghan 1-05 Down 0-09

East Down Minor Football League 05/01/2003
The closing date for entries for the East Down Minor Football League is Friday 11th January 2004.
All U-16 and Minor Regristrations must be in with the secretary by this date.

All other regristrations must be with the secretary by 30th January 2004.

Waggle Chat - Down GAA follower and fan gives their view on what is happening within the GAA scene in the County

2003 Past County Football News / 2002 Past County Football News

Past Football News - County / Past Football News - Club / Past Hurling News - County / Past Hurling News - Club / Past Ladies Football News / Past Camogie News / Past Handball News