Individual Post

 

The Down Senior Ladies kick off their 2018 NFL campaign on Sunday 28th Jan away to Meath in a reverse of last year’s first fixture where they faced the same opposition at Ballykinlar. The Mourne girls will be hoping for a different result to kick off their new campaign with a new look Management and Panel in place.

 

Manager Ryan McShane is starting 2018 with a new backroom team in Damien Sherry (An Riocht) and Kyla Trainor (RGU Downpatrick) whilst retaining the services of Kevin Leneghan (Bryansford). The hard appears to have been done since last summer with a new look panel with only 13 of the 2017 panel remaining and 17 players added to the panel, however not all 17 are new to the county scene as the Mourne girls see the return of some of their 2014 All Ireland winners after a break from Inter-county football as well as young members making the step up from minor level.

 

Down Ladies are very pleased to announce that Pairc Toms Ruiseil (RGU Downpatrick) will play host to the four home fixtures in the National League in 2018 starting with a repeat of last years All Ireland Qualifier V Roscommon on 4th February. On the news of the home venue, manager Ryan McShane said 'We are very thankful to RGU for the use of their facilities for our league campaign, at this time of year it is extremely difficult to secure a venue for home games however you cannot underestimate the importance of having a settled home venue for every game. RGU is Downs second county ground and it is only right that they have the opportunity to host county games and we are very happy they have agreed to do so. RGU is always very accommodating to Down LGFA providing players and facilities at all levels. Last year we had the biggest Home support I have ever seen at our Ladies national league games in Ballykinlar. We hope that this can continue to rise in 2018 as the Home support is helpful to the girls on the field and it’s a great place to take future players to see the stars in their county. We also hope to include half time games involving younger players throughout the league.

 

The Down Ladies would like to take this opportunity to thank their sponsors. EOS IT solutions, Whitegates, Sunnyholme Caravan Park and Quinn’s bar Newcastle.

The players and Management of Down Senior ladies have a chosen charity, 'The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (K.B.R.T) which they wear with pride on their jerseys. In the past, the team and the county board have helped to raise £5,500 for the charity and would like to thank their supporters for helping them to make a difference with this very worthy cause.

 

28th Jan Meath v Down 2pm  (Venue: TBC)

4th Feb Down v Roscommon 2 pm  (Venue: RGU Downpatrick)

 

Down Ladies senior team have been sponsored new kit bags from Sunnyholme Caravan Park, Newcastle. Pictures include Down Ladies players Natasha Ferris, Aoife Keown and Lauren Cunningham with Amy Nicholson from Sunnyholme Caravan Park Newcastle. Big thanks to Amy. 

 

Training continues Sunday at the assumption grammar school, Ballynahinch. the time is same meeting at 12 for 12:30 start and finishing for 2 pm. 

 

U16s started back training on Sunday with a parent/player/management meeting. Plans for forthcoming season outlined. Training continues next Sunday 21st January in Ballykinler GAC 11:20-1 pm.

2018 U16 team:

Annaclone- Maria Fegan

Bredagh- Anna O’Keefe, Caitlin Cunningham, Grainne Sweeney, Maeve o Keefe

Burren- Aine O'Connor, Caoimhe Loughran, Eimer Fitzpatrick, Orla Bradley

Carryduff- Anna Morris, Annie McWilliams, Chloe McHugh-Reid, Emer Mc Kenna, Molly McCrory, Rebecca Laverty

Clonduff- Lauren Kane

Dundrum- Cliodhna Carey

Loughinisland- Jessica O’Hare, Mia Carville

RGU Downpatrick- Ciara Hanna, Eilis Murphy, Olivia Murdock, Paige Smyth

Rostrevor- Maeve Murdock, Tara Brown

Teconnaught- Brooklyn Flannigan

Warrenpoint- Caoimhe Shannon

 

Great first session of the year for the u15s in a miserably wet Ballynahinch, well done to all girls who braved the weather and put a massive effort in. Training this week will be on Saturday in St Colman’s from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. As always make sure girls have plenty of water, boots and warm dry clothes to change into in case we have a downpour again!!Any issues let Aidy or Donnla know.

 

U14s hosted Meath on a cold damp Saturday at Abbey Grammar, Newry in their first challenge matches of the new season. The Leinster ladies were a very strong, fit and skilful outfit which proved a real test for the Mourne ladies. However, in both games, the Down sides battled throughout with some excellent passage of play and they all fought hard to the end. This is all about learning to get up to speed with inter-county football at this early stage in the season and the mentors and squad will move forward with great confidence. Thanks to parents for the kind donations of food for the refreshments post-match and those who helped out with teas etc. A big thanks to the following businesses who made kind donations towards the new tops shown in the photos for the U14 ladies: House of Murphy, Paddy McClean Contracts, Bawnless Recruitment, BPF Road Safety Ltd, Lucy Annies Bakery, CM Precision Ltd, PM Boiler Services, Milligan Oil, MR Plumbing & Heating, H&A Rice Holdings Ltd. Check out social media for photos!