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 are 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 in helping them to make a difference with this very worthy cause.

 

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

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

 

Minor Trials continued on Sunday for girls born in 2000/2001 in Assumption Ballynahinch. This Sunday the girls play Armagh in a friendly at Corrinshego at 10am. The girls will play a series of friendly matches arranged over the next few weeks. 

 

Many thanks to Aughlisnafin for use of hall at short notice on Sunday morning for u16 training. The weather certainly has not been kind this week.  U16 travel to Louth this Sunday to begin their series of challenge games. Travel arrangements will be posted in WhatsApp group. Further challenge games against Armagh and Dublin have been arranged in next 4 weeks. Championship campaign starts 1st weekend in March with away game v Tyrone. Other counties in group are Cavan and Fermanagh. Good luck to all girls in forthcoming games. Go out, work hard but most of all enjoy playing your game.

 

Down U15 – BORN 2003 ONLY 

Training will continue this Saturday in Assumption from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. Girls should arrive at 12:15 pm so we can make the most of our time on the pitch. There will also be a friendly game against Antrim on Sunday in Belfast throwing in at 1:00 pm. More details on game day to follow but if your daughter can’t make it please let Aidy or Donnla know.

 

The Down U14s had a good session at the weekend and all worked very hard. They continue their preparation for the upcoming Ulster Championship with training at Red High on Saturday. Down has been placed in the same group as Fermanagh, Armagh, Derry and Monaghan. Their first game is away to Fermanagh on Saturday 10th March. The U14s are also doing a 12 km sponsored walk through Tollymore Forest Park this Sunday morning, best of luck girls! 

 

Good session on Saturday morning and Girls beginning to gel well together. Training this Saturday will be at Red High Downpatrick meeting at 9:15 am for 9:30 am sharp start. Details of first match against Armagh fundraising initiative will be provided at this week’s training.

 

Down Ladies announce the 2018 Captain Orla Boyle (RGU) and Vice Captains Chara Laverty (Kilcoo) and Lauren Cunningham (Ballymartin). 

Sunnyholme Caravan Park, Newcastle who have sponsored new kit bags for the Down Ladies Senior Team. 

Pictured are Down Ladies players Natasha Ferris, Aoife Keown and Lauren Cunningham with Amy Nicholson from Sunnyholme Caravan Park, Newcastle.