2023 Down GAA Clubs Draw
- November 2023 RESULTS –
Congratulations to the winners in the November Draw
Club Winners (£200 each)
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Pearse Óg McCrickard named on 2023 Joe McDonagh Team of the Year
28 October 2023, 12:17 pm
Liatroim club man Pearse Óg McCrickard is the sole representative from Down to be selected on the 2023 Joe McDonagh team of the year.
McCrickard’s inclusion at number 12 is no mean feat given that the Down hurlers found the going tough in last season’s second tier championship.
A raft of injuries to key personnel didn’t help their cause but they pulled out all the stops to beat Kildare away to save themselves from relegation.
McCrickard of Liatroim Fontenoys was a regular scorer for Ronan Sheehan’s men all season, and when they needed that final day win over the Lilywhites, McCrickard stood tall by hitting a magnificent 15 points in an eight-point victory.
“It’s well-deserved recognition for an outstanding hurler, Pearse demonstrated throughout the year the quality he always had"” said county boss Sheehan on McCrickard’s inclusion.
In total five counties are represented on the team with Carlow the dominant force claiming a magnificent seven spots. The Dolmen County are represented in every line of the team, with goalkeeper Brian Tracey joined by the busy Jack McCullagh and Diarmuid Byrne in defence, the point scoring James Doyle in midfield, and the lethal finishing forwards that are Chris Nolan, Paddy Boland, and Martin Kavanagh.
Runners-up Offaly take up five places on the team, with their captain Jason Sampson being joined by the powerful Ciarán Burke and the tigerish Ben Conneely in defence, with Belmont man David Nally in midfield and the high-scoring Eoghan Cahill named among the forwards.
Kerry man Fionán Mackessy picks up his fourth consecutive award, having also claimed the M. Donnelly Poc fada All-Ireland title this year, along with playing a starring role in Ireland’s recent triumph over Scotland in the revived Hurling-Shinty International.
Explosive Laois forward Stephen Maher is named in the number 10 jersey, while Down sharpshooter Pearse Óg McCrickard is named on the other wing.
Players from the Joe McDonagh Cup were asked to nominate outstanding performers in the competition, with an independent selection committee adjudicating on the final team based on player performances, supported by video footage and county nominations.
Joe McDonagh TOTY Selection – Carlow (7) Offaly (5) Kerry (1) Laois (1) Down (1)
1. Brian Tracey (Carlow)
2. Jack McCullagh (Carlow)
3. Ciarán Burke (Offaly)
4. Ben Conneely (Offaly)
5. Jason Sampson (Offaly)
6. Fionán Mackessy (Kerry)
7. Diarmuid Byrne (Carlow)
8. James Doyle (Carlow)
9. David Nally (Offaly)
10. Stephen Maher (Laois)
11. Chris Nolan (Carlow)
12. Pearse Óg McCrickard (Down)
13. Paddy Boland (Carlow)
14. Martin Kavanagh (Carlow)
15. Eoghan Cahill (Offaly)
Parador Lodge Down Intermediate football final: Liatroim Fontenoys 1-13 Rostrevor 1-11
ROSTREVOR had two goal-scoring chances in injury time in Saturday evening’s Parador Lodge Down Intermediate final.
They took two points from them and finished runners-up for the second year running, as Liatroim added the football title to the hurling crown they picked up this time last year.
Rostrevor had an explosive start, going into the lead with a Conor Doyle point in the first minute.
Two minutes later, Doyle’s free came off a post and was bundled to the net by Ardhal McMahon. Another two minutes and Shaun Parr lofted over a point.
It took Liatroim nine minutes to open their account through Liam Middleton and another 12 before they added a second.
Rostrevor were the dominant team and good value for their lead that stretched to five points just before the break when Parr grabbed his second point.
Although Pearse Óg McCrickard pulled back two points in added time Liatroim still trailed by 1-5 to 0-5 at the break and looked far from eventual winners.
Rostrevor started the second half with points from Conor Doyle and a free from Conor Fegan.
At this pointy Pearse Óg was still keeping his team in the game from frees, before the game changed in the 45th minute.
Pearse Óg made a dart across the centre, Eoin O’Hare cut through off his shoulder and ran deep into the Rostrevor defence. He off-loaded to Conor McCrickard and punched the return pass to the net.
Although Fegan pointed a free in response, the momentum of the game had changed and Pearse Óg (two frees), Conor McCrickard and PJ Davidson all split the posts to give their side a lead of three points going into injury time.
They conceded a penalty at the start of added time, but Fegan blasted over the bar. Doyle also had a clear shot on goal but fired over a minute later.
There was a tense 24-minute stoppage however, while Conor Fegan was taken to hospital, before Liatroim won their kick-out, worked the ball up the field and Pearse Óg McCrickard completed the scoring with his eight point.
Scorers:
Rostrevor: A McMahon 1-1, C Doyle 0-3, C Fegan 0-3, 0-2 frees, 0-1 pen, S Parr 0-2, C Gordon 0-2.
Liatroim: E O’Hare 1-0, P Óg McCrickard 0-8, 7 frees, C McCrickard 0-3, 2 frees, L Middleton 0-1.
Liatroim: E Cotter, N McElroy, C Doyle, S Óg O’Rourke, D Morgan, R McCrickard, C McElroy, L Middleton, E O’Hare, G McAnulty capt, PJ Davidson, R O‘Hare, P Óg McCrickard, C McCrickard, C McAnulty
Subs: M Owens for N McElroy (27), E McCrickard for G McAnulty (35), O Clarke for C Doyle (35), C Kelly-McEvoy for D Morgan (55)
Rostrevor: G Clarke, F Murdock, C Murray, E Murdock, J Donaghy, T Gordon, C Gordon, D McElhinney, J Rice capt, Peter Magee, C Doyle, Patrick Magee, A McMahon, S Parr, C Fegan.
Subs: M Mackin for Peter Magee (48), T Mulholland for C Murray (57), A Donnan for J Donaghy (59), C Magee for C Fegan (64)
