The team competes in the Joe McDonagh Cup and the National Hurling League.

Down hurlers won the Christy Ring Cup for the first time in 2013, their greatest All-Ireland level success to date.

This entitled them to enter the 2014 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship; however, Down opted to remain in the 2nd on this occasion.

In 2020, Down caused an upset in the Christy Ring Cup by knocking Offaly out in the semi-final.

[2][3] The final against Kildare was scheduled for the one hundredth anniversary of Bloody Sunday, with promotion to the 2021 Joe McDonagh Cup achieved by both finalists.