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Down Captain Clara Mulvenna admitted that relief was her overwhelming emotion as the Mourne Ladies left it late to edge past Tyrone with the last kick of extra time in this pulsating Intermediate Ulster Championship semi-final at Dungannon.
Mulvenna went on to praise Down and Burren forward Eimear Fitzpatrick for being the most composed person in the ground by getting the vital score with time almost up in extra time.
"Fitzy has been unbelievable for us this year, so it was fitting that she got the score to put us in the final"
This was such a tight game between two evenly matched sides that it was nearly impossible to call a winner at any point in this cracker of a match.
Glorious sunshine allowed for near perfect conditions for the game, with a slight breeze favouring the Red Hand County in the first half. A powerful left foot drive by Emma Conroy opened the scoring for Tyrone, but Down quickly replied when Fitzpatrick converted a free. Errigal Claran forward Aoife Horisk restored Tyrone’s lead with a free of her own but then Eva Hicks levelled the scores with a sharp turn and shot that cleared the bar for Down. Another Fitzpatrick free gave the Mourne Ladies the lead.
Tyrone’s no.11 Sorcha Gormley caused Down’s defence all sort of problems. The pacy Carrickmore forward beat two Down defenders before slipping in a lovely, well-timed pass, to release Cara McCrossan in space and through on goal. McCrossan gave Down keeper Catherine Byrne no chance with a nice finish into the bottom corner of the net.
Down response was just what manager Colm Donnelly would have wanted. Laoise Duffy so nearly got a vital goal with the next attack. Picking the ball up in midfield the Bredagh forward raced past several Tyrone defenders and as the goal chance opened, she unleashed a powerful drive that just went over the bar for a point instead of a maximum.
Down continued to press and Duffy turned provider when she turned over the resulting Tyrone kickout and released Fitzpatrick, who buried the ball past keeper Amelia Coyle from the tightest of angles for a Down goal that seen them take the lead once more.
But Tyrone started to wrestle back control of the game and used the wind to good effect.
A point apiece from midfielders Meabh Mallon and Aoibhinn McHugh drew Tyrone level. Niamh O Neill had two quick scores to give the Red Hand County a little cushion. Aoife Horisk converted a great score on the stroke of half-time to give Tyrone a deserved three-point lead going into the break with Tyrone 1-7 to Down 1-4
Down’s Niamh King got a beautiful score to start the second half from the men’s 2-point line, but alas this only counted as one. This was cancelled out when Claire Canavan cleverly fisted the ball over for Tyrone as the Down defence converged on her.
Fitzpatrick took a lovely point after cutting inside and onto her left foot to clear the bar from distance. Aimee Green was having an exceptional game for Down and capped this off with a nice score from distance leaving Down only one point behind.
Down got their second goal with a little bit of luck, Niamh King's powerful shot was well blocked by Grainne McKenna but the ball fell in the path of Kilcoo’s Shanna Fettes who reacted quickest and stroked the ball past Coyle.
Powerful forward Niamh O Neill pulled a point back for the home side to leave the score 2-7 (13) for Down and 1-9 (12) for Tyrone.
With time almost up Down won a big free from a long way out, but the usually deadly Fitzpatrick’s shot cannoned off the upright and away.
Tyrone then missed a free of their own as time was slipping away. However, a loose pass coming out of defence was intercepted by Tyrone, and Gormley was fouled as she raced though. Gormley got up and dusted herself off, converting the free to set up extra time as the two teams couldn’t be spilt during regulation time.
Down won the toss and attacked with the wind in the first period of extra time. Vivienne McCormack converted when Down won a Tyrone kickout to give the visitors a one-point lead. Every kick and pass were now pressurised as the stakes were so high.
Sperrin Og's Niamh O' Neill, was excellent throughout this match, and has a wand of a left foot levelled the scores again for Tyrone.
Saul’s Catherine Byrne then pulled off a great save to keep Down in the game and to the heartbreak of Tyrone this was punished as Fitzpatrick cleared the bar when Down turned over a Tyrone sideline ball in a dangerous area seconds later.
Tyrone pushed forward and Aoife Horisk levelled the scores for the eighth time in this clash when she converted a free.
With time running out in the second period of extra time, it looked that these two sides couldn’t be spilt, and the prospect of penalties was looming. But with players from both sides going down with cramp it was surprising that Down could deliver a beautiful section of play to win it. The ever-impressive Meghan Doherty drove the Mourne ladies on and found Niamh Rice wide on the left. Rice cut inside and beat two Tyrone defenders and looked like she was about to pull the trigger and shoot. As the Tyrone defence desperately converged to block the shot the Rostrevor forward cooly slipped a hand pass into Eimear Fitzpatrick who was in space in front of the goal and Fitzpatrick made no mistake and put the ball over. Referee David Hurson blew up almost immediately. Such a tough loss for Tyrone as neither side deserved to lose this match, but it is the Mourne Ladies that progress onto the Ulster final.
Final Score Tyrone 1-12 (15) v Down 2-10 (16)
Teams
Down: Byrne: Greene (0-1): McCreanor: McClory: Mulvenna ©️: Brogan: Sands: Doherty: Laverty: Fitzpatrick (1-5): Duffy (0-1): Smyth: King (0-1): Rice: Hicks (0-1): McCormack (0-1): Fettes(1-0) O’Higgins: Kelly
Tyrone: Coyle: Lyons: McKenna: Quinn: Canavan (0-1): Campbell: McCarroll: Mallon (0-1): McHugh©️ (0-1): Moore: Conroy (0-1): Horisk (0-5): McGahan: McCrossan (1-1): O’Neill (0-3): McCarroll: Mccaffrey: McNamee:
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Football fever is set to take over Jennings Park in Newry next month when the Desy Jennings football festival returns for the 3rd year, bringing together over 1,000 young players from across Ireland to remember 10 local people and raise money for charity. Designed to promote inclusivity, teamwork, and cross-community engagement, this event is more than just a competition—it’s a festival of football, friendship, and opportunity.
Taking place from 5 to 8 June the tournament will feature teams across six age groups (U7s, U8s, U9s, U10s, U11s and U12s), providing a thrilling weekend of matches, skill-building, and community spirit. All whilst raising much needed funds for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke.
Breaking Barriers: A New Girls' Football Section
Organisers are really on the ball with for the first time at the tournament, there'll be a dedicated girls' section, encouraging more young female athletes to take part in football. This initiative aims to level the playing field, challenge gender stereotypes in sport, and inspire the next generation of female footballers.
More Than Just Football: Building Community & Lasting Friendships
The event isn’t just about the action on the pitch—it’s about bringing communities together. With teams from Newry, Bessbrook, Warrenpoint, Belfast, Lurgan, Dundalk, Loughgall, Armagh and even Dublin, this tournament is a chance for young players to learn from each other, build friendships, and celebrate the unifying power of sport.
“This tournament is about more than just football; it’s about giving every young person an opportunity to play, develop, and feel part of something bigger. We’re especially excited about launching the girls’ section this year to ensure football is a game for everyone,” said organiser Marty Jennings
Get Involved!
The tournament will feature family-friendly activities, food stalls, and community engagement initiatives, making it a great day out for all. Organisers hope local businesses, volunteers, and football enthusiasts will get involved and support the future of youth football.
In order to raise funds for Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke, there is also a raffle prize draw with some amazing prizes and a fantastic gift basket from Annalivia Hynds and BPerfect as the main prize, to be won.
For more information or to get involved, contact Marty (07892 724831) or visit their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com.
You can also donate or buy raffle tickets via paypal at martyjennings75@gmail.com
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Athlete Nigel McCullough recently competed for Team Ireland in the European Duathlon championships. Held in Rumia Poland 2025 on 26 and 27 April, around 500 athletes from all over Europe took part.
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Armagh have retained their TG4 Ulster SFC crown with a comprehensive win over Donegal in Clones.
A huge crowd descended upon St Tiernach’s Park as this game was played before the men’s Ulster SFC final between the same two counties.
Two early goals from Aoife McCoy set Armagh on their path to triumph, as they took the lead early and never relinquished it.
Her first goal came on six minutes, as a slick handpassing move which involved Eve Lavery and Caroline O’Hanlon put her through and she drilled the ball into the roof of the net.
Niamh Henderson added to the Orchard County’s lead, before McCoy netted for a second time on 13 minutes. On this occasion it was all down to the Dromintee player as she claimed possession some 30 metres out from goal, went on a driving solo run and slotted past Claire Friel to put Armagh seven ahead.
At the other end, Donegal were plagued by wasteful shooting in front of the posts, with their solitary first half point coming from a Susanne White free.
However, Armagh responded with scores from Emily Druse and Eve Lavery, before Grace Ferguson put the icing on the cake for their impressive first half performance with a superb point from distance.
Donegal were first off the mark in the second half with a White point, but Armagh’s Lauren McConville added her name to the scoresheet as she shrugged her way through a couple of challenges and slotted over with her left foot.
James Daly’s side weren’t going away quietly however, with Cait Gillespie and Katie Dowds finding the mark.
But Armagh put the game beyond all reasonable doubt 15 minutes from the end of time with their third goal. McCoy turned provider on this occasion, supplying a wide-open Niamh Coleman, and she made no mistake in sliding her effort into the bottom corner to put 10 between the sides.
Rhiana McColgan and Eva Gallagher (two) scored in consolation for Donegal, whilst Kelly Mallon (free), Lavery, Maeve Lennon and Caoimhe McNally closed out the scoring for the victors.
Final score: Armagh 3-9 - Donegal 0-7
Scorers – Armagh: A McCoy 2-0, N Coleman 1-0, E Lavery 0-2, N Henderson, E Druse, G Ferguson, L McConville, K Mallon (1f), M Lennon, C McNally 0-1 each.
Donegal: S White (2f), E Gallagher 0-2 each, C Gillespie, K Dowds, R McColgan 0-1 each.
ARMAGH: A Carr; M Ferguson, C McCambridge, M McCann; E Druse, C Towe, G Ferguson; C O'Hanlon, N Coleman; L McConville, A McCoy, B Mackin; E Lavery, N Henderson, N Reel. Subs: K Mallon for Reel (40), C Marley for L McConville (48), C McNally for C O’Hanlon (51), M Lennon for E Lavery (51), S Quigley for G Ferguson (54).
DONEGAL: C Friel; S McFadden, A Temple Asokuh, S McFeeley; N Carr, E McGinley, C Gillespie; A Walsh, R Rodgers; N Boyle, K Dowds, F McMenamon; J McFadden, M Bennett, S White. Subs: U Boyle for A Walsh (26), B McLaughlin for Temple Asokuh (26), TR Mahon for J McFadden (HT), E Gallagher for F McMenamon (43), R McColgan for M Bennett (43).
Referee: Gavin Finnegan (Down).
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A last-gasp point in extra time from the boot of Burren girl Eimear Fitzpatrick against Tyrone sealed another Ulster Intermediate final appearance for the Mourne County as they face Cavan this Sunday 18 May at Healy Park, Omagh.
Fitzpatrick scored 1-05 on semi-final day and can't wait for Sunday's showpiece. "I am really looking forward to Sunday; Ulster Finals don’t come around every year, especially since the Intermediate Ulster is very competitive with five very strong teams. Cavan are a tough team, as we have already seen in the league. Hopefully, Sunday will go our way."
Down Captain Clara Mulvenna is hoping the County's appearance in the final will inspire future generations. "As a squad, we are really looking forward to this weekend. Championship season is always very exciting, and preparing for an Ulster final is no different. The girls are getting ready for the challenge, and the lead-up to the game has been really positive. It would be massive to retain our Ulster title; any trophy you win with your county is a huge accomplishment.
"We would hope that it would inspire the next generation of girls to dream of playing for Down in years to come. It is really important that we can promote the game and encourage more females to want to play in the red and black jersey, and getting into an Ulster final definitely helps with that."
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Newry certainly had the feel-good factor yesterday as the annual Half Marathon, 10k and Children's 2k Fun Run took place. With 753 runners taking part in the half marathon, 559 in the 10k and several hundred in the Children's fun run the area around the Albert Basin was buzzing with life.
Beginning beside The Quays Shopping Centre, the weather could hardly have been kinder. Rain was forecast but thankfully didn't arrive. The children's fun run was certainly the most 'fun' although there was every bit as much a competitive streak as there was in the 'serious' races.
Half Marathon
First man home in the Half Marathon was Gary Morrow, 43 from North Down Athletic Club in a time of 1:13:49. Second just seven seconds later was Brendan Heaney from Armagh Athletic Club in a time of 1:13:56. Third was Martin Vanecko from PretekaRYS on 1:14:23.
First woman home was Hayley McAteer, 27, Lagan Valley Athletic Club in 1:26:23, Melissa Eccles, North Down Athletic Club was second in a time of 1:27:58 and third was Eileen Stevenson, St Peter's Athletic Club in 1:29:23.
10K
Gary Crummy, 28, from Newry Athletic Club was first man home in the 10k race with a new course record of 0:30:58, second was Mitchel Thompson, Dark Horse Trek Club on 0:32:16 and third was Louis McCarthy, Rathfarnam WSAF in 0:33:20.
First woman home was Kerry O'Flaherty, 43 from Newcastle Athletic Club on 0:36:38, while Ciara Regan from Crusaders Athletic Club on 0:40:09 came second. Third was Collette McCourt, Roadrunners Athletic Club on 0:40:20.
Live
Something new for 2025 was the live streaming of the event with Mobile Media Productions coverage providing incredible promotional material for the Newry area. Drone footage of the Carlingford Lough area which we are privileged to call home was superb. Presenters Deborah Loughran and Declan McConaghy also did a stellar job interviewing participants and giving timely updates on the race progress.
As usual the event was sponsored by Newry BID and Newry Credit Union with support from The Quays.
Speaking to the live broadcast team Eamonn Connolly from Newry BID said "You can't help feel uplifted by the feel-good factor, the community spirit, the sense of wellness and togetherness and that is a testimony to the partnership between Newry City Runners, the media team, the Credit Union, the Quays and ourselves to bring out what's best in Newry. We're blessed with the weather and the event grows every year and we are looking forward to further success going forward"
Newry a Family Friendly Destination
Speaking about the family friendly event Connolly added "Our future's built on experiences and If you look today at the proportion of people with their children or with their parents is very large. It's just a reflection of the event. There are many people here for best times, many people here for fun and many here for charity support and it's just everything that's good that we want to see."
Brendan Jackson, Manager of Newry Credit Union added "The Credit Union's very very proud to be associated with the Newry Half Marathon, 10k and Children's Fun Run. It's important to be involved with the local community and sponsoring local events "
Damian Mullholland, Chairman of Newry City Runners who organise the event said "Today was a good day for Newry, the sun shone, the runners had a fabulous time, perfect running conditions. I'm sure there was some great times out there and the feedback from everybody is they loved it today and they Can't wait to come back next year."
Well done to all involved in the production of this superb annual event.
See newrycitymarathon25 for more photographs
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The Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Pete Byrne recently hosted a Civic Reception to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the South Down Select squads at the prestigious 2025 Nations Cup held in Barcelona.
The reception took place on Tuesday 22 May 2025 at Newry Leisure Centre, recognising the remarkable efforts of six youth teams representing the district across the 2013–2017 age groups. Competing against over 40 elite teams from across Europe, the South Down squads showcased exceptional talent and sportsmanship, firmly placing Newry, Mourne and Down on the international football stage.
Addressing guests at the event, Chairperson Councillor Pete Byrne praised the players for their commitment and performance. He said, “Your accomplishments in Barcelona were truly exceptional. The 2017 and 2015 South Down teams were crowned Cup Champions and the 2014 team brought home the Plate title—adding to our district’s proud sporting legacy. These achievements reflect not just your skill on the pitch but the dedication, teamwork and determination you all bring to the game.
"This experience has given you memories that will last a lifetime—and it shows what can be achieved when young people are supported to follow their passions and reach for success.”
Chairperson Councillor Byrne also paid tribute to the coaches, volunteers and families whose dedication underpins the teams’ accomplishment, “To our coaches and mentors – thank you for the time, energy and expertise you give so generously. Your work behind the scenes is invaluable. And to the families and supporters – your encouragement plays a crucial role. You should all be incredibly proud.”
Reaffirming the Council’s commitment to supporting youth sport and grassroots development he said, “This celebration is not just about trophies – it's about recognising the values football instils: respect, ambition, discipline and friendship. These young players are a credit to South Down and a source of great pride for our community.”
To mark the occasion, the Chairperson presented a crystal bowl to lead coach Conor Fegan in recognition of his leadership and contribution to the teams’ success.
The Civic Reception served as a fitting tribute to the South Down Select squads and all those who made their Nations Cup journey possible.
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Newry Triathlon Club member Nigel McCullough finished an impressive second in the V50 category of the Lough Cutra Sprint Duathlon on Saturday 24 May.
Lough Cutra Castle near Gort is the splendid location for the annual castle race series.
Achieving a time of 01:42:50 McCullough endured the wet and windy conditions in the run/ bike/ run course around Castle grounds and nearby roads.
Despite slipping off his bicycle he managed to get going again, gaining a podium finish.
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As the countdown begins for the 2025 ITF World Tae Kwon Do Championships, set to take place from July 22 to 27 in Cornellà, Barcelona, Eight local fighters for Team Ireland are intensifying their preparations to make a significant impact on the global stage.
The local athletes are: Cathal Fegan, Silverbridge; Aoife Loye, Silverbridge; Joe McKeown, Silverbridge; James Walsh, Silverbridge; Ethan O’Kane, Hilltown; Amy Bantleman, Newry; Cara Mackin, Dorsey and Rachael Carvill, Mayobridge.
What is Tae kwon Do?
Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art known for its dynamic kicking techniques, rapid footwork, and disciplined philosophy. Developed in the 1950s by General Choi Hong Hi, it combines elements of traditional Korean fighting styles with influences from Japanese karate. The name translates to “the way of the foot and the fist,” highlighting its focus on both striking power and self-control. Since its founding, Tae Kwon Do has grown into a global discipline with millions of practitioners and is governed by organisations such as the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF), which oversees these world championships.
Benefits Beyond the Dojang
Taekwon Do is more than just a sport, it’s a way of life that promotes physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Physically, it improves flexibility, strength, coordination, and cardiovascular health. Mentally, it fosters discipline, focus, and resilience through structured training and goal-setting. Practitioners also benefit emotionally by building confidence and learning self-control and respect for others. These values, deeply rooted in Tae Kwon Do philosophy, make it particularly popular among young people and families, contributing to personal development both inside and outside the training hall.
Commenting on the upcoming championships Cathal Fegan from CFTKD said: “Our clubs in Newry and Silverbridge have had some incredible success in the past few years especially in the European championships. Our fighters have trained hard for the worlds and we so proud to have eight of our students selected to represent Ireland on the world stage."
Building on European Success
Ireland's Tae Kwon Do athletes are entering the championships with momentum, following a strong performance at the recent European Championships. The team secured a total of 12 medals, including 5 golds, 2 silvers, and 5 bronzes, placing them second overall behind Romania.
Intensive Training Regime
In preparation for the world championships, Team Ireland has been conducting rigorous training sessions across the country. Notably, five black belt members from CFTKD joined national squad training in Tipperary, demonstrating the collaborative effort to enhance performance.
Looking Ahead
With a blend of seasoned competitors and emerging talent, Team Ireland is poised to showcase its prowess at the ITF World Championships in Barcelona. The team’s dedication and recent successes suggest a promising performance on the international stage.
For more information on CFTKD and our eight amazing athletes' journey and updates on the championships you can visit the CFTKD Facebook page.
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