County champions Kilcoo are through to the knockout stages of the Down SFC and sent out a strong message to their rivals yesterday with a 4-17 to 1-7 win over Loughinisland.

A fired-up Laois side added to Down's woes as the Mourne men lost for the third time in four NFL games in Newcastle today to remain rooted to the bottom of the Division 1B table.

Two of Down's best known hurlers, Brendan McGourty and Gareth 'Magic' Johnson, have made the cut for the Mourne County's Dr. McKenna Cup panel.

Down footballer manager Paddy O'Rourke has appointed star forward Benny Coulter as his captain for the 2006 season.