Division 1B Very National League
Limerick v Down
Saturday, 2pm, Cappamore
By Séamas McAleenan
Down start their fifth consecutive season in Division 1 this Saturday with a trip to Cappamore in Limerick (2pm).
Since gaining promotion by winning Division 2 with victory over Antrim in Owenbeg in 2021, Down have flirted with relegation every season, but still managed to keep their head above the water initially by winning relegation play-offs.
Two years ago, they drew with Kerry in their final match away in the Kingdom and it was enough to see them survive on score-difference.
Last year victory over Westmeath was the key fixture in their survival. They can expect their campaign over the next six weeks to follow a similar pattern. They will target an individual game or two where they might just get the win that will keep them up. Their opening fixture could be the key one.
Down have in general managed to attract the best club players into the county set-up. Their problem has been a failure to achieve at under-age level over a significant period of time.
The under 23 All-Ireland success last year, albeit at C grade, is a step in the right direction to help develop players for the level of competition at which the senior team aspire to compete. Last season the U-23s and senior squads trained as one panel and that would appear to be the plan this year again from the names released last week.
Domhnall Nugent, in his second season at the helm, was at pains to point out that his panel is by no means finalised with players likely to be added right through until the end of the league campaign.
Additions this year include two experienced players, Aimee Mallon and Clara Cowan. The former returns after pregnancy while the latter has recovered from an ACL operation. Tara Monan’s game time last year was also restricted by injury and she should see much more action in 2026. Erin McGrattan’s excellent form in the club championship with Portaferry has earned her a call-up, the same for Liatroim goalie Niamh O’Toole.
Nugent has two dual inter-county players at his disposal. Niamh McConville and Niamh McGrath have been out with the footballers since 25 January. Remaining in Division 1 will be a difficult challenge, particularly if they don’t manage to get something from Saturday’s starter. However, they should do better in the provincial and All-Ireland championship. Armagh gave Derry a bit of a scare last year, but Down would be expected to reach the Ulster final at the expense of their closest neighbours.
As a result of reaching the Intermediate All-Ireland semi-finals last season, they are drawn in Group 1 of the All-Ireland championship this year with Antrim, Derry, and Kerry. An away game in Kerry to open the championship isn’t the best draw, but they will fancy themselves for the two home games. Two wins would see them into the semi-finals, anything less and they will be in the quarter-finals in early July.
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