Crunch time in Championship

Crunch time in Championship

3 September 2025

THE Down Football Championships return to full action this week as the top sides eye up quarter-final places and others fight for survival.

Following the first round of fixtures, the 16 teams in each of the Senior and Intermediate Championships have now been split into winners and qualifiers groups, with the two competitions operating in a double-elimination format. 

Those who tasted success last time out will have the chance to contest with their fellow fast starters for direct progression to the last eight, with the losers ping back to round three.

The respective sides that fell at the first hurdle will also try their luck against each other, either qualifying for round three or facing complete elimination.

Once again, Kilcoo take to the field in the main event, after they eased past Bryansford with an 11-point margin.

The Magpies will view Clonduff, who saw off Liatroim, as the next victims in their quest for a 13th county title in 14 years. They will have to wait until  Monday to flex their muscles at Páirc Esler.

Last year’s runners-up, Burren, will also have to be patient, given the fact they do not face Loughinisland until  Sunday.

Burren enjoyed a comfortable outing against Castlewellan, securing a 24-point victory, and will fancy their chances against a side that had to produce a second half comeback against RGU.

Cumann Pheadoir Naofa and Drumgath will be first to stake a claim for the quarters, facing off tomorrow, and will be spurred on by their respective victories over Bredagh and Mayobridge.

Their clash will be followed, on Friday night, by the match between Carryduff and Glenn, who each collected wins against Division 1’s relegated sides, Saul and Ballyholland.

Carryduff will enter the contest as favourites, having enjoyed a relatively positive campaign in the top flight, but Glenn are riding the wave of promotion.

The more interesting battles of the weekend will come in the qualifiers group, as defeat for any team will spend the end of their championship endeavours.

Saturday offers RGU against Mayobridge, as well as the chance for Saul and Ballyholland to makes amends for their demotions to the second division.

As for Sunday, Liatroim will look to bounce back from defeat when they play a Bredagh side that has already lost to lower league opposition, while Castlewellan face  Bryansford in a high-stakes local derby.

Dromara and Annaclone get the intermediate ball rolling on Thursday night, buoyed by wins over St John’s and Tullylish.

Last season’s runners-up, Clann na Banna, achieved their desired start with victory at the expense of Saval and will have their eyes set on a repeat against Attical on Friday.

Rostrevor made light work of Ballymartin, but Longstone, fresh from success over Darragh Cross, should prove a tougher test on Saturday.

An Riocht edged out Teconnaught in round one, while Shamrocks got the better of St John Bosco in the Newry derby, and they will conclude the winners group action on Sunday.

The intermediate qualifiers group features four must-win games for the teams involved. 

Two local sides will fight for survival in Dromara on Thursday, as Teconnaught and St John’s go toe-to-toe in Dundrum, before Darragh Cross test their resolve against St Paul’s the following night.

Monday will have no shortage of entertainment, with Tullylish and Ballymartin squaring off and St John Bosco engaging in another derby, clashing with Saval.