Down battle past Longford to Tailteann Cup quarter-finals

Saturday 10th June 2023

Down will be in Monday morning’s draw for the Tailteann Cup quarter-finals after coming from behind to defeat Longford by 1-20 to 1-12 in Newry this evening.

Favourites coming into this one, Conor Laverty’s men trailed for much of the first-half and Joe Hagan’s goal would see Longford into a 1-7 to 0-5 lead come the 27th minute.

The hosts got points back through Pat Havern and Andrew Gilmore before having an Odhran Murdock penalty saved late in the first-half and it was the Midlanders that went in at break leading 1-8 to 0-8.

Darren Gallagher sent over a superb sideline free to extend the visitors’ lead a minute into the resumption, but Down eventually got motoring and it was Danny Magill’s well-taken goal on 44 minutes that ignited them.

Donagh McAleenan fisted over a point two minutes later to steer the home side in front and they wouldn’t look back from there, with Ceilum Doherty, Havern (2), Ross Carr (mark) and Keelan McGann all raising the umpire’s white flag.

Paddy McCarthy fisted over a much needed score for Longford but it’d be their last of the evening and the closing 10 minutes saw Rory Mason (2) and Eugene Branagan firing over to ensure the win for Laverty’s men.

The draw which takes place on Morning Ireland (Radio 1) @ 8.30am will not allow repeat pairings from the group stages so Meath and Down can not take place.  Down will travel to either Limerick, Antrim or Cavan.