Senior Football: Cork edge Mourne men in challenge - Down 1-15 Cork 2-15

A second-half goal from Cork’s Niall Murphy proved the difference as Conor Counihan’s Rebels made the long trip to Newry to take on Down in a challenge game which saw both sides prepare for their upcoming provincial championship outings.

In the arrangements for this meeting, Counihan had requested that the doors be closed in Pairc Esler for the duration of the match otherwise the game would not be played. From glimpses of the match outside the grounds, the two sides played out an intense encounter which saw the visitors lead by five points at the half-time, Fintan Gould’s goal setting up a 1-8 to 0-6 lead for the Rebels by the interval.

Down’s scores in the opening 35 minutes came courtesy of white flags from Liam Doyle (3 frees), Daniel Hughes, Ronan Murtagh and Ronan Sexton. An early goal from ace forward Paul McComiskey put the Mourne County right back into proceedings, but Niall Murphy’s strike ensured that Cork would make their long trip north worth the while as they finished up with three points to spare come the full-time whistle.