Down ready and waiting

Down ready and waiting

28 May 2025

A SELL-OUT crowd is expected at Pairc Esler in Newry on Saturday for Down’s All-Ireland clash with neighbours Louth.

The stakes couldn’t be higher – victory for Down would almost certainly secure their place in the knockout stages of the championship.

Defeat would almost certainly put an end to what has been a fairytale season for Louth, the surprise Leinster champions.

Louth defeated both Dublin and Mayo on their way to securing their first provincial championship, but defeat to Monaghan at the weekend has put them on the back foot in Group 3.

Nothing less than victory will suffice if their championship quest is to continue.

Down will be all to aware not to dismiss the threat from their neighbours.

After all it’s just three months since Louth inflicted a 2-17 to 0-22 defeat on them in the National League, which greatly contributed to their relation to Division 3.

A strong wind had a huge say in the outcome that day in Newbridge. Down did not make full use of it in the opening period and that was to cost them dearly as Louth came storming back in the second half.

The ‘Wee County’ finished sixth in Division 2 – one place above Down – and their season has kicked on spectacularly.

Few GAA fans, particularly those in Dublin and Meath, would have imagined them becoming Leinster champions for the ninth time, but it was Louth captain Sam Mulroy who lifted the Delaney Cup at Croke Park on May 11 – 68 years after their last provincial triumph.

Louth suffered a six-point defeat at the hands of Monaghan, despite hitting the net four times. They carry plenty of threat – something which will not be lost on Down manager Conor Laverty as hje makes his preparations ahead of Saturday evening.

Down have qualified for the All-Ireland series after winning the Tailteann Cup last year.

They were expected to beat Clare last time out, but the manner of their performance – they scored three goals and 27 points – has given the Down fans plenty of encouragement.

It should be quite a match on Saturday evening. Down are eager to keep their summer going, while Louth are like a wounded animal, desperate to pick themselves off the ground.

Throw-in is at 5.30pm.