Down GAA

Down boast a wealth of GAA history and are also the joint-most successful Ulster teams in terms of All-Ireland wins with five. At a provincial level, Down have 12 Ulster titles, last winning the Anglo-Celt Cup in 1994. The Mournemen won their first All-Ireland title in 1960 and retained the title against the following year. They won the Sam Maguire again in ‘68 but then suffered a dry patch that would last 23 with the side next winning the All-Ireland title in 1991 and 1994. However, since their last victory under Pete McGrath in ‘94, success dried up for Down through the turn of the century. Since the introduction of the Tailteann Cup, Down have proved themselves to be in the top bracket of teams in Ulster and in the country, winning the second-tier competition in 2024 with victory the final against Laois. Down got to the Ulster SFC semi-final stage and finished top of Division Three in the League but lost the final to Westmeath, however, still were promoted to Division Two for the 2025 season Hurling in Down is strongest in the Ards peninsula. Ards clubs Portaferry, Ballycran and Ballygalget account for 71 of the Senior Hurling Championships in the Mourne county. Down currently compete in Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling league and the Joe McDonagh Cup competition.