The GAA National Football and Hurling League fixtures were announced today and the Down senior county players now know their spring schedule for 2024.
Down’s footballers open their season on Sunday January 28 with an away trim to Aughrim, which is the furthest they will have to travel for the 2024 league campaign. Their only other trip outside Ulster is to Mullingar.
Their first home game is against Limerick on Saturday February 3 in Páirc Esler. Next year they will also welocme Offaly Sligo and Clare to Newry.
Their only Ulster derby is against Antrim on February 18.
The county’s hurlers also benefit from having more home games than away matches. Their two away trips are to Laois – which is their season opener on February 4 – and Carlow. They welcome Kerry Kildare and Meath to Ballycran this year.
Down’s NFL Division 3 fixtures.
Wicklow v Down (Sunday January 27, Aughrim, 2pm)
Down v Limerick (Saturday 3 February, Páirc Esler, 6pm)
Antrim v Down (Sunday 18 February, Corrigan Park Belfast, 2pm)
Down v Offaly (Saturday 24, February, Páirc Esler, 6pm)
Down v Sligo (Sunday March 2, Páirc Esler 2pm)
Westmeath v Down (Sunday March 17, Mullingar, 2pm)
Down v Clare (Sunday March 24, Páirc Esler, 2pm)
League final – March 30/31 (first place against second)
Down’s NHL Division 2A fixtures
Laois v Down (Sunday 4 February, Portlaoise, 2pm)
Down v Kerry (Saturday 10 February, Ballycran, 1pm)
Down v Kildare (Sunday 25 February, Ballycran, 2pm)
Carlow v Down (Sunday 10 March, Cullen Park, 1pm)
Down v Meath (Saturday 16 March, Ballycran, 2pm)
Division 2A Hurling semi-finals – March 23-24 (second placed team v third place team)
Division 2A final – March 30/31