It could the end or kick start to the season for the Down Camogie team.

Back 4 O'clock tomorrow the Down camogie team will either be right back in the hunt or will render the last two games of the RTE All Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Championship as futile.

The management and squad have had two weeks to re-group and focus on what is the defining match of the season.

Alister McGilligan manager of the team recognises that the team have not made the start to the championship campaign they had planned for. In his own words he acknowledges.

AMcG It has been a difficult start to the RTE sponsored All Ireland Premier championship with tough away games against Kildare and Laois respectively. However the panel are looking forward to this crunch local derby against next door neighbours Armagh.

DC Do you consider that with home advantage and a more experienced panel Down will go into tomorrow's match as favourites?

AMcG In normal circumstances that would be the case, but we do not under estimate the challenge we face against Armagh. Both management and squad have a healthy respect for the work Armagh have been putting into the game over the last few years. Many of the players have very close knowledge at club level of each other and many have shared experiences at university/college level.

DC What kind of performance can the supporters expect from the team tomorrow?

AMcG They will be a full blooded totally committed performance. Each girl knows what is expected from them as individuals and as a team.

DC So heads up for a Down victory.

AMcG Yes.

AMcG We as the Down management would like to thank all the local clubs to date who have been invaluable in providing their playing facilities, even during this long period of poor weather. A special word of thanks Kilcoo CC, who are hosting their first ever Senior inter county game. We look forward to a continued close association.

DC Wish the team good luck from Down Camogs.

AMcG Thanks.



Good luck to the Senior footballers in the Ulster final in Clones.



U16 All Ireland B Championship

Sunday at 5pm at Ballyholland is this gallant team's last fixture in this year's championship when they play Dublin.

Although they didn't manage to secure a win at the B grade these girls and management certainly have shown we have the potential to compete at this level.

The counties will also play an U15 development squad friendly match after the U16 match.

Good luck to Teams and management.



Under 15 Development Squad

With the county enjoying a high level of success with the U14, U16 and U18 county teams the County Board has put a team of coaches and assistants in place tap into the potential of our U15 girls.. The aim of the U15 development squad is to give every girl in the county with potential the best opportunity of making the transition from U14 or U15 on to the U16 county team next year.

Paul Boyle manager of the winning All Ireland Minor team has developed a detailed programme which encompasses every aspect of our sport. With progressively structured training sessions and a range of challenge matches and blitzes it is a great opportunity for girls develop their talent and understanding of camogie and to increase their opportunity to be part of next year's U16 county team.

The U15 development squad have had two training sessions thus far, but the turnout is still lower than what we had hoped. We are aware that holidays dominate this time of the year but we are expecting the numbers to increase over the next couple of weeks in advance of the All Ireland Blitz in August.

Both U14 and U15 Development Squad training will continue at 11.00am in Castlewellan (Bann Road) on Saturday mornings.

Players Lifestyle Development Programme

In conjunction with the National Coaching Plan we will have organised a Players Lifestyle Development Day. It is on Sunday 5th August 2012, in St Patrick's Grammar School, Saul Road, Downpatrick (Red High). Registration 10am and the programme will include Fitness & Skills testing, presentation with Question and Answers with senior county girls, Nutrition & Hydration and Training Session.

Clubs are invited to forward the details of two players aged 15, which they wish to avail of this unique opportunity to my email address below.

If you have an interest in developing you coaching knowledge and skills the management welcome volunteers to assist in the delivery of the training sessions and friendly matches

Victoria Donnelly
County Camogie Development Officer
developmentofficer.down.camogie@gaa.ie