Historic Rivalry Rekindled Ahead of Ulster Semi-Final
Following their upset victory over favourites Donegal last week, Down have reignited a longstanding rivalry as they prepare to face Armagh in the Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final this Sunday.
The match, set to take place in Clones, is anticipated to attract a large crowd, but the rivalry between these two counties extends far beyond a single game.
To understand the origins of this rivalry, one must look to Newry, a city divided between the two counties—with south Down on one side and south Armagh on the other.
In Newry, residents from both counties live, work, and socialise together. However, due to the county-based structure of Gaelic Games, the only place where players from both counties come together on the same team is at school.
Match Mayhem at Abbey Grammar
This year, Abbey Grammar in Newry won the MacRory Cup—the Ulster senior schools championship—with a squad evenly split between Armagh and Down players.
In anticipation of Sunday’s match, the school held a colour day, with the playing fields awash in red and orange, representing the county colours.
Daniel McKernan from Down, one of the winning players, described the build-up as "mayhem."
"The lads are looking at each other knowing that come game time we are going to be on one side of the Hill (at Clones) and they are going to be on the other with the two counties going at it on the pitch."
His teammate Michael O'Neill, from Armagh, expressed relief at not facing Donegal again.
"I was happy to see Down beat Donegal to be honest but I'll be against them now."
Diarmaid O'Rourke, also from Armagh, was more forthright about the rivalry.
"Down have been pretty useless for the last ten years so it's good to see they're not so bad now and there can be a bit of a rivalry again."
There has been discussion about joint buses of supporters travelling to Clones, but Daniel Carr from Down expressed reservations.
"I think that's probably a bad enough idea."
He added,
"But it's been a good buzz for the Down ones because we pulled off a good win (against Donegal) but it's going to be a tough challenge."
Newry’s Club Landscape and Growing Armagh Support
While Newry is surrounded by clubs participating in both the Down and Armagh leagues, historically all clubs within the town boundary have played in Down.
This changed about a decade ago when Thomas Davis GAC relocated from rural Corrinshego to new grounds within the city boundary.
According to chairman Karl Kimmins, there is a growing Armagh support within the city, partly due to Armagh’s greater success in recent years.
"I grew up in Barcroft and we had an Armagh flag and my neighbour had a Down flag,"he said.
"I remember going to a game and when I got back he'd replaced my flag with his. But it's good natured.
"You have to remember that the whole of the west side of Newry is in Armagh - but it's not straightforward.
"We have players and coaches that support Down but we are an Armagh club. I think people mostly associate Newry with Down because their county ground is here – even though part of it is in Armagh."
This particular point is sensitive for many Down supporters.
Although Páirc Esler is perceived to be on the County Down side of the Clanrye River, official maps reveal that nearly three quarters of the 20,000-capacity stadium is actually located in Armagh.
This makes Páirc Esler the only county ground in Ireland predominantly situated in the wrong county.
Further along the river, the Town Hall sits atop a bridge aptly named The Armagh Down, and the upcoming match is the main topic of conversation along the city’s main street.
Local Perspectives on the Upcoming Match
Finn Rooney, a local taxi driver living on the County Down side in Mayobridge, with a wife from County Armagh, commented on the ticket demand.
"All I know is they've been queuing up at SuperValu for tickets. I was very surprised last week (when they beat Donegal) but why not?"
Ciara McAteer, whose surname is associated with the County Down village of Ballyholland, identifies strongly with Armagh.
"Armagh are going to hammer them. They will definitely win."
Colleen McDonald also expressed confidence in Armagh’s chances.
"I've got my ticket already,"she said.
"I think Armagh will pull through."
Meanwhile, Joan Ferrick from Rostrevor is hopeful for a Down victory.
"They have to do it for the Down people. They owe it to Down to win this game,"she stated.
