Down girls are coming home to Downpatrick

Down girls are coming home to Downpatrick

17 January 2018

PAIRC Tomas Ruiseil in Downpatrick will host all of Down GAA Ladies’ fixtures in this year’s National Football League.

The natural amphitheatre on the Struell Road will provide the perfect back for the games which are always well attended and club officials at Downpatrick RGU are looking forward to the new challenge.

Sponsored by Lidl, the  league starts on January 27 with an away fixture in Meath before Down welcome 

Roscommon to the County Town on February 4.

This will be one of four home fixtures with games against Offaly on February 25, Kildare on March 25 and Wexford on Saturday, March 31.

Downpatrick RGU chairman Marty Brady was delighted that Down Ladies have chosen Pairc Tomas Ruiseil as their home base.

He said that although there were many challenges involved, he viewed it as an opportunity to showcase the facilities at his club.

“We have hosted big games here in the past and there is an appetite for such in this part of the county,” he said.

“Last year we hosted Down’s senior footballers against Queen’s in the McKenna Cup and the crowd that day was three times what was expected.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t host this year’s game due to the amount of water lying on the pitch, but hopefully that problem is behind us now.”

The Downpatrick club has seen a phenomenal growth in the numbers of girls involved with ladies’ football.

That is reflected by the number of their players in the Down senior panel, such as Orla Boyle, Kiera Turley, Adair Trainor, Leah Milligan and Roisin Torney. Allied to that, the recently retired Kyla Trainor is now part of the coaching squad. 

Down Ladies manager Ryan McShane is starting 2018 with a new back room team in Damien Sherry (An Riocht) and Kyla Trainor, whilst retaining the services of Bryansford’s Kevin Leneghan.

Down Ladies PRO Aine McClean said: “The hard work appears to have been done since last summer with a new-look panel. Only 13 of the 2017 panel remain and 17 new players have been added to the squad.

“However not all 17 are new to the county scene as some of the 2014 All-Ireland-winning squad are back after a break from inter-county football as well as young members making the step up from minor level.

“We are absolutely delighted that Pairc Tomas Ruiseil will  host our four home fixtures in the National League,” she added.

Manager Sherry is also happy that Downpatrick will host the games.

“We are very thankful to Downpatrick RGU for the use of their facilities for our league campaign,” he said.

“At this time of year it is extremely difficult to secure a venue for home games. You cannot underestimate the importance of having a settled home venue for every game.

“Pairc Tomas Ruiseil is Down’s second county ground and it is only right that they have the opportunity to host county games. We are very happy they have agreed to do so.

“Downpatrick RGU have always been very accommodating to Down LGFA, providing players and facilities at all levels,” he said.

“Last year we had the biggest home support I have ever seen at our National League games in Ballykinlar and we hope that this trend can continue in 2018.”

Down Ladies would like to thank their sponsors: EOS IT solutions, Whitegates, Sunnyholme Caravan Park and Quinns Bar Newcastle.

Down Ladies have chosen the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT) as their chosen charity this year and will wear its logo on their jerseys.