Dr McKenna Cup Section A round 2
Armagh 3-10 Down 0-10
Conor Laverty experimented with his Down team last night and tested a number of new players in their opening game of the Dr McKenna Cup.
The result was disappointing against an Armagh team that included just two players who started their All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry in 2025. But the game was about experimenting with the line up.
Players such as Drumgath’s Pearse McPolin, Glenn’s Patrick Brooks, and Seamus Loughran from Ballyholland – all of whom were all named in the Down GAA club All-stars of 2025 – got their chance.
Conor gave starts to two players who were on the successful u-20 team that won the Ulster in 2023, namely Oran Cunningham, Paddy Carthy.
Carryduff were the biggest represented with three players, the familiar names of James and Daniel Guinness and John McGeough. Glenn had two players in the starting line up goalkeeper John O’Hare and Patrick Brooks in the corner. Clonduff also had two players on the starting team Tom Close and Eamon Brown.
Kilcoo were not represented on the starting 15, their club season ended on December 14 when they lost to Scotstown in the Ulster club final. One Magpies player, Barra McEvoy was introduced off the bench.
Ultimately, Down were not at the same pace as Armagh.
Armagh started just two players who started in their All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry last year, Tiernan Kelly, Joe McElroy. But Kieran McGeeney’s Orchard County side did have a few experienced players involved such as Blaine Hughes in goal, Aaron McKay at fullback, James Morgan at cornerback, and Greg McCabe.
Top scorer for Down was Pat Havern, who scored 0-3, while Seamus Loughran carried on his club form last year with Ballyholland into the McKenna Cup as he scored 0-2.
Down were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 17 minutes but trailed by 2-5 to 0-6 at half time.
Armagh pulled further ahead in the second half, their three goals came from Oisin O’Neill, Tiernan Kelly and Sean Conlon.
See the full report in next Wednesday’s Mourne Observer.
Down play Tyrone in round three of the McKenna Cup on Sunday, Pomeroy, 1.30pm. They only have a slim chance of reaching the McKenna Cup quarter-finals and need to beat Tyrone on Sunday and see Antrim beat Donegal.
Down team: John O’Hare (Glenn), Patrick Brooks (Glenn), Pierce Laverty (Saul), Pearse McPolin (Drumgath); Ruairi McCormack (Warrenpoint), Oran Cunningham (Downpatrick), Paddy McCarthy (Burren), Daniel Guinness (Carryduff), Tom Close (Clonduff), James Guinness (Carryduff), Pat Havern (Saval), John McGeough (Carryduff); Seamus Loughran (Ballyholland), Eamon Brown (Clonduff), Adam Crimmins (Mayobridge).
Subs: Ruairi O’Hare (Saval) for Guinness, Luke Quinn (An Riocht) for Loughran, Tom Gilroy (Atticall) Gilroy for Cunningham, Barra McEvoy (Kilcoo) for Brown, Lorcan Lynch (Newry Bosco) for McGeough.
Scorers: Pat Havern 0-3 (1f, 1 two-pointer), Seamus Loughran 0-2, Adam Crimmins, Pearse McPolin, Eamon Brown, Tom Close, Daniel Guinness 0-1 each
