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: Columba O'Hare; Category: Sports; Published: 08 April 2024

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RESULTS

Wednesday 3rd April

Under 16 League Section C

Newry Shamrocks 3-11 Rostrevor 2-08

Thursday 4th April

Under 16 League Section D

St Michaels 1-08 Bryansford B 5-04

Thursday 4th April – 7pm

Under 18 League Section C

Glenn 3-03 Kilcoo 8-07

Under 16 League Section B

Castlewellan 2-04 St Johns 5-10

Under 16 League Section D

Tullylish 6-12 Ballymartin 1-10

Thursday 4th April

Under 16 Section A

Liatroim 1-05 Bredagh 7-06

Sunday 7th April

Under 16 League Section A

Aghaderg 1-09 Carryduff 3-10

Burren 2-04 Liatroim 0-04

Under 16 League Section B

Teconnaught 2-08 St Johns 2-04

Bosco 2-06 Annaclone 3-12

RGU Downpatrick 3-08 Clann Na Banna 6-12

Castlewellan 8-09 Saul 0-03

Under 16 League Section C

Cumann Pheadair Naofa 5-10 Bryansford 6-08

Kilcoo 7-07 Newry Shamrocks 4-05

Rostrevor 1-05 Saval 14-09

Glenn 10-06 Loughinisland 3-06

Under 16 League Section D

Carryduff B 3-04 Tullylish 14-13

Bryansford B 2-10 Aghaderg B 3-08

FIXTURES

Tuesday 9th April – 6:30pm

Under 16 League Section C

Saval v Glenn

Tuesday 9th April – 7:15pm

Under 16 League Section D

Drumgath v Dundrum

Wednesday 10th April – 6pm

Under 12 League Lar Section

Kilcoo v Bryansford

Wednesday 10th April – 7pm

Under 12 League Lar Section

Castlewellan v Carryduff

Ballymartin v Teconnaught

Bredagh v St Johns

Under 12 League Deisceart Section

Burren v Newry Shamrocks

Cumann Pheadair Naofa v Mayobridge

Rostrevor v Ballyholland

Bosco v Clonduff

Under 12 League Lecale Section

Bryansford B v RGU Downpatrick

Carryduff B v Bredagh B

Under 12 League Oirthear Section

Drumaness v Bredagh C

Ardglass v Bright

St Pauls v Carryduff C

East Belfast v Dromara

Under 12 Iarthar Section

Liatroim v Annaclone

Clann Na Banna v Glenn

Tullylish v Saval

Aghaderg v St Michaels

Wednesday 10th April – 7:15pm

Under 16 League Section A

Bredagh v Burren

Thursday 11th April – 7pm

Under 18 League Section A

Carryduff v Bredagh

Thursday 11th April – 7:15pm

Under 18 League Section A

St Johns v Burren

Saval v Clonduff

Under 18 League Section B

Rostrevor v RGU Downpatrick

Castlewellan v Saul

Bryansford v Mayobridge

Teconnaught v Aghaderg

Under 18 League Section C

Bredagh B v Ballymartin

Kilcoo v Bosco

Cumann Pheadair Naofa v Newry Shamrocks

Annaclone v Glenn

Saturday 13th April – 7pm

Adult League Division 1

Burren v Kilcoo

Castlewellan v Carryduff

Ballymartin v RGU Downpatrick

Bredagh v Bryansford

Adult League Division 2

Rostrevor v Cumann Pheadair Naofa

St Johns v Bredagh B

Saval v Loughinisland

Adult League Division 3

Carryduff B v Teconnaught

Clonduff v Burren B

St Michaels v Annaclone

Dundrum v Saul

Adult League Division 4

Liatroim v Glenn

Drumgath v St Pauls

Sunday 14th April – 12:30pm

Under 14 League Section A – Sponspored by AJC Group

Carryduff v Bryansford

Rostrevor v Bredagh

Teconnaught v Kilcoo

Burren v Liatroim

Under 14 League Section B – Sponspored by AJC Group

Ballyholland v Clonduff

Saval v Castlewellan

St Johns v Shamrocks

Bredagh B v Saul

Under 14 League Section C – Sponspored by AJC Group

Cumann Pheadair Naofa v Tullylish

Annaclone v Bosco

RGU Downpatrick v Loughinisland

Mayobridge v Drumgath

Under 14 Section D – Sponspored by AJC Group

Glenn v Carryduff B

Aghaderg v Teconnaught B

Saul B v Bredagh C

Under 14 League Section E – Sponspored by AJC Group

St Michaels v Rostrevor B

Kilclief v East Belfast

Bright v Drumaness

St Pauls v Cumann Pheadair Naofa B

An Riocht v Burren B

Sunday 14th April – 3pm

Under 14 League Section D – Sponspored by AJC Group

Dundrum v Clann Na Banna

: Daire Walsh; Category: Sports; Published: 08 April 2024

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After yesterdays historic Division 1 win at Croke Park, Armagh manager Greg McGonigle hopes his team can now take their success into the TG4 All-Ireland Championship and make even more progress.

“From a defensive point of view, we’d be happy with where we are at, but again we could have been possibly a little bit more clinical up front. We maybe left a couple of chances behind us, but it’s a great place to be on the 7th of April. Looking forward with stuff to prepare for coming into the Ulster championship and then the All-Ireland series,” said McGonigle.

Armagh captain Clodagh McCambridge lifts the cup after her side's victory in the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile — Armagh captain Clodagh McCambridge lifts the cup after her side's victory in the Lidl LGFA National League Division 1 final match between Armagh and Kerry at Croke Park in Dublin. Photograph: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

“teams are probably going to have purple patches or you’re going to make mistakes and we say it’s always about reaction. It’s responding, it’s not about reacting and not going into ourselves. In regards of trying to get back up and get a score as soon as we can, we reacted very well to conceding an early second half.”

Armagh are definitely on the up having lost out by three points to the Kingdom in a NFL Division 2 decider in 2022 but now it's all eyes on the Championship.

Speaking at the Stormont Assembly Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins said "I'd like to congratulate the Armagh ladies on their superb win yesterday against the kingdom of Kerry in the Division 1 of the National League Final, their first ever appearance in the final and no doubt they are the pride of the county and I would safely say the pride of Ulster on their success yesterday. Ladies football is up on its hind legs, particularly in Armagh. So we are just delighted for the win that the girls have achieved and we would encourage everybody to get behind them and support ladies football in the time ahead."

Kerry joint manager Declan Quill said they did not make the most of a fortunate goal after the restart and they squandered too many chances to retain their crown.

“A fortunate goal really, but one that put us on a good path in the second half. We weren’t really able to take advantage of it. The bit of good luck you get, you’ve to build on it. It’s not something we did,” said Quill.

“We missed way too many chances to win a game. A national final, you’ve got to be very clinical. I thought Armagh were way more clinical than we were. The chances they got, they stuck away. We’ve to look back over the tape, but the amount of chances we missed was absolutely criminal really.

“We did come up here to win today. It wasn’t maybe an aim of ours to get to the final in a way, but that’s the way we ended up. When we were here, we were coming all guns blazing to win it. It just didn’t happen for us today. We’ve Munster championship to focus on now in two weeks’ time. We’ll give the girls a few nights off and we’ll reconvene next Friday night. Hopefully the bodies will be fresh and the minds will be fresh, and they’ll be ready to give the Munster championship a good go.”

Scorers - Armagh: A Mackin 1-4 (0-2f), K Mallon 0-5 (3f), N Coleman 1-0, A McCoy, N Henderson, C Doyle 0-1 each.Kerry: L Ní Mhuircheartaigh 0-7 (6f), N Ní Chonchuir, L Scanlon 1-0 each, C Murphy, H O’Donoghue 0-1 each.

ARMAGH: A Carr; G Ferguson, C McCambridge, R Mulligan; C Towe, L McConville, D Coleman; N Coleman, C O’Hanlon; E Druse, A McCoy, L Kenny; A Mackin, N Henderson, K Mallon. Subs: S Quigley for N Coleman (24), C Doyle for Druse (49), M McCambridge for Kenny (57), S Grey for McCoy (58), E Lavery for Mallon (59).

KERRY: ME Bolger; C Lynch, D Kearney, E Lynch; A O’Connell, C Murphy, K Cronin; M O’Connell, A Galvin; N Carmody, N Ní Chonchuir, L Scanlon; H O’Donoghue, E Dineen, L Ní Mhuircheartaigh. Subs: D O’Leary for NíChonchuir, C O’Brien for Kearney (both 39), A Harrington for Scanlon (44), K Brosnan for O’Donoghue (57).

Referee: Gus Chapman (Sligo).

: Jason Fegan; Category: Sports; Published: 12 April 2024

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Both Down and Armagh are embarking on their Championship campaigns after successfully gaining promotion in the Allianz Football League.

Armagh's Rory Grugan in action against Donegal. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie

Armagh begin their Ulster Championship campaign this weekend away to Fermanagh on Sunday 14 April in Brewster Park. When the sides met last month in the Allianz Football league, Armagh ran out the winners by 4 points on the day. Armagh finished Division 2 losing out to Donegal by a point. Armagh are looking to go one better this year after getting beat on penalties by Derry in the Ulster Final last year. Throw in is at 2pm.

Down take on Antrim in this year's Ulster Championship quarter final tomorrow Saturday 13 April at Páirc Esler in Newry. When the sides last met in February Down managed to get the win by 9 points. Down finished their season in first place gaining promotion to the 2nd division. Down are looking to improve on last year's showing when they were beat in the Ulster semi final by Armagh. Throw in is at 6pm.

Down GAA are encouraging patrons to come to Newry early for the game and avail of Free Car Parking in The Buttercrane Shopping Centre and in The Quays Shopping Centre Car Parks.

Car Parking is Free on production of your Match Ticket or Match Programme and both Car Parks will be open post the game to allow patrons exit in good time.

Down GAA will also provide a Shuttle Bus from the KFC in Bridge Street from 4.00pm for Patrons wanting to get to the Game.

: JF O'Rourke; Category: Sports; Published: 14 April 2024

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MountainBikeNI have recently launched a new website which showcases over 150 miles of mountain biking trails that are spread across NI. Locally trail centres can be found at Rostrevor and Castlewellan.

The new website allows user to access information from official trail centres about the various mountain bike trails located across the country.

MountainBikeNI.com includes many features that will be useful to mountain bikers such as interactive maps of the trails which include information such as the difficulty of the trail as well as the length of it and downloadable files which give users a live map of the trail that they can use while on the go.

The website will also include information on local eating houses which bikers can visit whilst out biking.

Newry Mourne and Down chairperson Valerie Hart had this to say about the new website. “The revamped MountainBikeNI.com acts as a gateway for both local and international visitors to explore these unique landscapes” “by centralising information and offering modern features such as GPX downloads and interactive mapping, we anticipate further interest in the trails, in turn benefiting our local economies and reinforcing the diverse outdoor activities our district offers”.

Communications and training executive Ethan Loughry said “We're delighted to be able to share the new MountainBikeNI.com website with the public” “We have also added a number of trails, and all of the pump tracks and skills courses in Northern Ireland to the website. These sites provide an essential outlet for outdoor opportunities for local communities and their benefits”.

Check out the site at mountainbikeni.com

: Paul Devlin; Category: Sports; Published: 16 April 2024

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After a great ending to their league campaign, Down ladies fell just short of gaining promotion to Division two. Paul Devlin caught up with Captain Meghan Doherty and senior player Orla Boyle to get their take on the league campaign, the upcoming Ulster Championship, and Down celebrating 30 years of LGFA football in the County.

Q. How do you feel the league campaign went?

Meghan: We had a shaky start to the beginning of our league campaign, losing our opening two games to Roscommon and Wexford. After these games, as a unit we worked hard on fixing our errors in these games to ensure wins going forward. We really stepped up a gear and had wins in our 5 games after this. Unfortunately our start cost us, and meant we just missed out on promotion into division two and an opportunity to play in the league final which really was a blow for us.

Orla: There was highs and lows throughout. Unfortunately, as Meghan said a few early defeats resulted in us ultimately missing out on promotion.

Q. After last seasons success what were your goals before the season started?

Meghan: After last season we had set our goals to get promoted out of division 3 which sadly we just fell short of. Other goals were to compete strongly back in intermediate in both Ulster and All Ireland.

Orla: The aim was to bring the momentum from last years championship success into the league this year. Unfortunately as a team we started the league poorly, possibly due to a bit of burn out from the year before.

Q.Mixed emotions I'm sure but what was the feeling within the squad after the Clare game?

Meghan: The buzz after the Clare game was fantastic. Going into the game we knew the result, in terms of the table meant nothing, but for us that game meant a lot. To come out as winners against the team that won the Division 3 final is great. We worked so hard in that game and we played a really nice style of football. Girls really started to have a bit more belief after that game finished.

Orla: It’s tough beating the league winners but missing out on promotion. I suppose we have to take the positives from it. The main positive being that we can compete with the best teams in that league.

Orla Boyle on the ball. Photograph: Gareth Carville

Q. Getting players like Sarah Dougherty and Alice McAlea back from injury must be a huge boost for the team. How exciting is it to be involved with this current Senior panel of players?

Meghan: Yes, having the girls back from injury is a massive boost. The rehab and recovery work that Sarah and Alice have put in for the past year has been so admirable and it is amazing to see them bounce back from their injury's and come back even stronger. I couldn’t speak higher of this current panel, the girls work so hard and as a team we have so much fun doing it which is great. There's a really strong bond within the group and everyone shares the same goals.

Orla: It’s really exciting to have them back, all of these players you’ve mentioned are of serious quality. It’s not nice to see anyone pick up a bad injury, but the resilience these mentioned girls have shown is inspirational to the rest of the team.

Q. There looks to be a great team spirt within this panel, the teams reaction when Sarah Dougherty scored against Antrim showed a bit of that. How as a Captain /Senior player do you go about instilling this bond?

Meghan: Yea that was a special moment. To see Sarah come back from her injury to finally getting back on the pitch, the girls knew she deserved to take that penalty and had no doubt of her not scoring it. The girls make it really easy, you know we are together every week 3,4 times a week, its our lives and girls make so much sacrifices to be a part of the county set up that the bond between us is just so tight knit. We are all really good friends and we make time for each other even outside of football which benefits our performances in training and matches also.

Orla: The cheer for Sarah was very much the same reason I mentioned. Everyone is just so happy to have her back. Of course because she is such a quality player, but more so for herself. We are just happy to see how well she has recovered and that’s why there was such a great response to the goal. As a senior player I suppose it’s about keeping the players motivated. From my side I find myself most vocal when we are on the back foot, obviously as a defender. If the players are motivated and all working hard then that definitely instils a bond in the team.

Q. What are your thoughts and goals on the upcoming Ulster Championship?

Meghan: I’m really looking forward to Ulster championship. To be back up in intermediate is a massive boost and I just can’t wait to go out and put a marker down for Down ladies. We play Cavan in our preliminary round and we know what a tough challenge this will be. We have to prepare right and go into this championship with a positive mentality.

Orla: We haven’t even really thought of the championship in it’s entirety yet. Cavan is our sole focus for now as they pose a serious threat. They have played in the league above us all year, so we know they will be sharp.

Q. There seems to be a great bunch of talented young players coming into the squad. How are these players integrating into the Senior set up and how excited are you for the future of Down ladies football?

Meghan: The youth in Down ladies football is amazing, looking back to when I was underage/ minor, there was no where near the numbers that compare to now. The interest and the young talent is fantastic to see and is really strengthening Down football. The younger girls that have come into the senior squad have added great depth to our squad and the experience for them is brilliant as it’s a step up and pushes them to train harder. I am excited to see what lies ahead for the future of Down ladies football.

Orla: I think fitness is a big thing here. All of the young girls coming in are flying fit. Having that box ticked when joining the panel has allowed the new players to focus on other elements of the game and get up to speed with our style of play and the demands of Inter county football. Special mention here has to go to Niamh King. She has been so important for us in the forward line this year and watching our games you would think she is one of the more experienced players at this level.

Q.This year sees Down celebrate 30 years of ladies football. Meghan and Orla, you're both role models for hundreds of young female footballers throughout the County.

What are your earliest memories of ladies football and what role models within the game did you have growing up? And who has really driven on ladies football?

Meghan: My earliest memories of ladies football would be underage level and going with my club Carryduff down to Croke park for All Ireland final day. We would get buses down and go watch all three games. Croke park back then seemed so surreal and when the final whistles blew everyone would run onto the pitch (sadly not allowed to do this as spectators anymore) and I had always dreamed to one day play on it myself. When I was underage and especially when I first started playing underage county, I had looked up to the likes of Caroline O Hanlon, Michaela Downey, Eliza Downey, Kyla Trainor. These women were great leaders and it showed in all their performances. It was amazing to be able to play with some of them when I reached Senior level.

Orla: For me, Kyla Trainor is my role model. Both at club and county she has been one of the most talented footballers I have ever played alongside. I had the pleasure of winning the All Ireland with Kyla in 2014, a dream come true for me. Kyla now manages our club team RGU and seeing her football knowledge and skill driving the young girls on is unmatched. We as a club are very lucky to have her.

Q. What changes have you seen within your own clubs and the County set up, from when you started playing till now?

Meghan: The numbers that both club and county have now is a massive change compared to when I started playing. With going from having 1 senior team at club level we now have 2/3. How the sport has progressed is so amazing to see. One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is the introduction of S&C programmes to teams. When I started and going up through u14-senior, we didn’t have S&C and until past recent years, but the benefits that S&C has on performance and the likes of injury prevention is incredible.

Orla: The communication between club and county has definitely improved. I think there is now much more people involved in the background and that has positively impacted communication. Pitch booking, training facilities etc have all worked very well for us this year and that is down to the hard work of volunteers in the background.

Our club in particular have opened their facilities to county training sessions on several occasions. Clubs such as Drumaness and Burren have also been very good, alongside St Joseph’s Newry. I hope that going forward we see this trend continue and more clubs within Down open their facilities to us. I don’t think there is a problem with clubs not allowing us to train, it’s more so just making all clubs aware that we are looking for facilities.

Q. Down's LGFA underage set up seems to be thriving at the moment. Have you noticed the change in numbers and ability that is currently coming through at club and county. And what advice would you pass on to female footballers?

Meghan: Yea I have noticed the change in numbers, the county minor panel has a serious number of players on the panel as does our senior panel. Having young minors come into the squad adds great depth and also pushes older players on which brings a great competitive side to the team. The interest is growing every year and with the success of underage right through to senior, is bringing Down ladies football to peoples attention and its something younger girls now want to work for and be apart of. My advice that I would pass on to female footballers, especially the younger generation is to never give up. Never think any dream is too far fetched and always have belief in yourself. If you believe in yourself then you will surprise yourself with what you can achieve and trust me, the reward is worth it

Orla: I actually keep a close eye on all the underage results. The Down LGFA social media pages have become very good at keeping the scores updated and it’s great to see. I’ve definitely noticed the numbers increase in our clubs underage, particularly the girls. For the first time ever we have two u14 girls teams in RGU. I remember when I was that age we had to play in the boys teams, so this progression is very promising for the future of ladies football in Down. My advice to young girls who are just starting up or thinking of joining their club is to go for it. Some of your best friendships will come from football. Although it is a competitive sport and we all want to win, it is important to pull those around you along and always play together as a team.

Meghan, Orla and their Down team mates take on Cavan this Sunday 21 April. Venue to be confirmed.

: Stevie McCoey; Category: Sports; Published: 16 April 2024

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Round 5 of the Ulster U14 Festival of Football saw Down lose out to Tyrone and Cavan in their games at Breffni Park last weekend.

Down Vs Tyrone

Down faced off Tyrone knowing that only two wins would move them from silver Ulster level to gold. The Mourne county started the game much the brighter of the two, showing some lovely interchanges of play scoring two points despite playing into a stiff breeze. Tyrone hit back with a point of their own. When a looping shot dropped into the Down goals to extend Tyrone's lead, Down didn't drop their heads, and came forward to score another point. Tyrone finished the half the stronger of the two with another goal and a point. 2-3 to 0-3 at HT.

Down had the wind behind their backs in the second half and started to reduce the deficit immediately with a couple of good points. This was followed with great work by the half forward line, keeping the ball alive, leading to a fantastic team goal. Tyrone replied with a couple of points but by then the momentum was with Down as they pressed home their dominance with another goal and 2 points to take a 2 point lead with minutes left.

Tyrone came back with another 2 points to level the game. Tyrone were then awarded a free in the Down half and with the last kick of the game scored the point to win the match. A very exciting game with Down unlucky to be on the wrong side of the result.

Full time Down 3-5 Tyrone 2-9

Down Vs Cavan

Down were straight back in action Vs Cavan for their second game of the day. There wasn't much between the sides at the start of the first half as both counties exchanged some good scores. Then a clearance under pressure went straight to a Cavan player who ran through to score a fine goal. Down battled bravely to steady themselves, however two quick fire goals by Cavan was a blow to the Down team. Down showed great character and finished the half strongly with a goal & a point for a HT score of 3-2 to 1-2.

The second half started in the same vein as the first, with both teams exchanging points but Cavan extended their lead with two points and a goal midway through the second half which extinguished any realistic hopes Down had of coming back into the game. The final score was 4-8 to 1-4.

: Columba O'Hare; Category: Sports; Published: 16 April 2024

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Down Results

Tuesday 9th April

Under 16 League Section C

Saval 4-08 Glenn 2-04

Wednesday 10th April

Under 16 League Section A

Bredagh 1-05 Burren 0-10

Thursday 11th April

Under 18 League Section A

Bredagh 1-08 Carryduff 2-07

Down Fixtures

Monday 15th April – 6:30pm

Under 12 League Lecale Section

Saval v Glenn

Tuesday 16th April – 7:15pm

Adult League Division 1

Ballymartin v RGU Downpatrick

Tuesday 16th April – 7:30pm

Adult League Division 1

Burren v Kilcoo

Wednesday 17th April – 7pm

Under 12 League Lar Section

Carryduff v Ballymartin

St Johns v Castlewellan

Bryansford v Bredagh

Teconnaught v Kilcoo

Under 12 League Deisceart Section

Newry Shamrocks v Rostrevor

Clonduff v Burren

Mayobridge v Bosco

Ballyholland v Cumann Pheadair Naofa

Under 12 League Lecale Section

Bryansford v Bredagh B

Dundrum v Carryduff B

Saul v Loughinisland

RGU Downpatrick v Teconnaught B

Under 12 League Oirthear Section

Drumaness v Ardglass

Dromara v Bredagh C

Carryduff C v East Belfast

Bright v St Pauls

Under 12 Iarthar Section

Annaclone v Clann Na Banna

St Michaels v Liatroim

Saval v Aghaderg

Tullylish v Glenn

Thursday 18th April – 6:45pm

Adult League Division 4

East Belfast v Liatroim

Thursday 18th April – 7pm

U-16 League Section D

Ballyholland v St Pauls

Thursday 18th April – 7:30pm

Under 18 League Section A

Clonduff v Carryduff

Burren v Saval

Bredagh v St Johns

Under 18 League Section B

Mayobridge v Teconnaught

RGU Downpatrick v Castlewellan

Saul v Bryansford

Aghaderg v Rostrevor

Under 18 League Section C

Newry Shamrocks v Bredagh B

Dundrum v Annaclone

Bosco v Cumann Pheadair Naofa

Saturday 20th April – 7pm

Adult League Division 1

Bryansford v Ballymartin

Carryduff v Burren

RGU Downpatrick v Castlewellan

Kilcoo v Bredagh

Adult League Division 2

Bredagh B v Saval

Cumann Pheadair Naofa v St Johns

Loughinisland v Rostrevor

Adult League Division 3

Teconnaught v Dundrum

Burren B v St Michaels

Mayobridge v Carryduff B

Saul v Clonduff

Adult League Division 4

Glenn v Drumgath

St Pauls v Clann Na Banna

Sunday 21st April – 11am

Under 16 League Section B

Bosco v Teconnaught

Sunday 21st April – 12:30pm

Under 16 League Section A

Bredagh v Aghaderg

Liatroim v Clonduff

Carryduff v Mayobridge

Under 16 League Section B

Clann Na Banna v Castlewellan

St Johns v RGU Downpatrick

Saul v Annaclone

Under 16 League Section C

Saval v Kilcoo

Bryansford v Glenn

Loughinisland v Rostrevor

Bredagh B v Cumann Pheadair Naofa

Under 16 League Section D

Tullylish v Bryansford B

Ballymartin v Carryduff B

Aghaderg v Drumgath

St Michaels v St Pauls

: Columba O'Hare; Category: Sports; Published: 19 April 2024

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The Matthews Family Townview Kennels are certainly no strangers to success and tomorrow night, 20 April they have the opportunity to make history at the Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

The Newry kennel will be represented in the €80,000 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Final by their rising star, Merits Inclusion. Merits will bid to seal a hat-trick of Kirby victories for Brendan Matthews after both Boylesports Hero and Cable Bay landed the prestigious event in 2014 and 2015 respectively. The prize is sponsored by JP and Noreen McManus.

While Merits Inclusion may be the only tracker in the lineup that carries the Matthews name, there will also be a strong interest in, Knockeen Dazzler, who landed the opening semi-final was also bred and reared by Brendan in Newry before selling to Daniel O’Rahilly from Kerry as a sapling last summer.

Merits Inclusion will take his place in Trap 3 on Saturday night in Limerick. Local bookmaker has priced him as co-favourite 3/1. While Knockeen Dazzler 7/2 takes the stripes out in trap 6.

: Columba O'Hare; Category: Sports; Published: 23 April 2024

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Down ladies put on a fantastic display to power past Cavan on Sunday in the preliminary round of the Ulster Ladies Intermediate Championship at Pairc Esler. Division two Cavan travelled to Newry as slight favourites against their Division three opponents, but Down were well worth their win.

Glorious sunshine the backdrop for this opening round of the Intermediate Championship, with Down making early inroads against Cavan with Vivienne McCormack doing well to get her shot away in a heavily congested area and clear the bar to open the scoring. An early yellow card for Cavan helped Down gain the upper hand, Captain Meghan Doherty exploited this by splitting the posts following a crisp hand passing move through the heart of the Cavan defence. A long range score by Cavan's Zara Fay sandwiched two good goal chances for Down that should have extended the score to reflect their possession advantage. Even after Cavan returned to a full 15, Down still dominated play, however these missed chances allowed Cavan to stay in the game. Two well taken scores by Niamh King was followed by a bit of real magic from the young Castlewellan forward.

Laoise Duffy has been a star performer for Down in the league and brought her form into this Championship clash. Her run opened the defence and as she slipped in King with a cleaver pass the Down forward still had a lot to do. However a deft chip from King beat the out stretched arm of the Cavan keeper and drop into the back of the net for the opening goal of the match. Cavan hit back with another long range score, this time from Deirbhile McCaffery. Laoise Duffy pointed for Down following a lovely pass from Niamh Scullion that opened the Cavan back line.

Cavan and McCaffery hit back with yet another wonderful score from range.

Down squandered another goal chance just before halftime, leaving the Mourne ladies delighted with their first half display but slightly disappointed by not putting their chances away to give them a bigger lead going in at halftime Down 1-5 v Cavan 0-3.

Cavan came out in the second half with real intent and missed a great goal chance themselves to get back into the game. However Cavan’s Niamh McCorry continued the trend of fantastic long range scores for the away side when she put over early in the second half. But Down once again assumed control of the game with Meghan Doherty, Paige Smyth and Orla Boyle all putting in stand out performances. The Downpatrick pair of Smyth and Boyle have been excellent all season and it was fitting that Smyth got the next score that her display deserved and settle Down supporters nerves.

Despite Down again having the upper hand, Cavan punished more missed chances from Down when they pointed after a slip in the Down defence. This seemed to spur Down on and they stepped up a gear, another great pass from Paige Smyth found Eimear Fitzpatrick wide on the left, a lovely interchange of passes between Fitzpatrick and King cleaved open the Cavan rear guard and Fitzpatrick rounded the keeper to get Down's second goal. Kayla Brady nearly scored a goal for Cavan but her shot just cleared the bar for one point instead of three. Niamh Scullion then supplied a beautiful pass that just cleared a Cavan Defenders outstretched fingertips and fall into Vivienne McCormack arms and she finished in style over the bar. Rostrevor's talented forward Niamh Rice added another point with a lovely left foot finish. Burren's Fitzpatrick pointed to further extend Down's lead, but the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for Orla Boyle who squeezed her shot off the post for a rare point for the Downpatrick defender who along with the rest of the Down defence have been outstanding all season.

A great win for Down who are a seriously strong outfit and on this form will be hard to beat in the Championship.

Final Score: Down 2-10 Cavan 0-6

Next up is a semi final match away to Antrim on 5 May at 2pm

Down Team: M Deery, A Greene, C Byrne, O Boyle, P.Smyth, N McKibbin, O.Duffy, M Doherty (C), A Laverty, N Scullion, N King, L.Duffy, N McClorey, S Dougherty, V McCormack.