The score-line read eight points but Longford gave it their all as Down progressed to the Tailteann Cup quarter-final.
Longford’s dismissal season came to a conclusion in Esler Park, losing 1-20 to 1-12 but far from their worst night.
It was always an uphill battle away to Down but Paddy Christie’s side fought hard and led at half-time. Joseph Hagan’s goal saw Longford lead 1-8 to 0-8 at half-time.
A big performance was need and a big performance arrived in the first-half. Keelin McGann opened the scoring for Longford. Down’s Pat Havern replied with before Darragh Doherty levelled the game two points each.
Paddy Fox and Hagan moved Longford two clear on 11 minutes. Andrew Gilmore sent over Down’s first point for nine minutes before equalising on 15 minutes. Dessie Reynolds immediately restoring Longford’s lead.
Two Hagan points put Longford three clear before Liam Kerr’s scored Down’s first point in 10 minutes.
Longford responded expertly with a Hagan goal, one which will disappoint Down keeper Niall Kane. Longford led by four.
Eugene Brannigan responded with a Down point form the next play. Dylan Farrell converted a 45 as the game moved end to end.
Pat Havern sent over a massive point to make 1-8 to 0-7 and on the stroke of half-time Down claimed a penalty.
Longford keeper Paddy Collum pushed Leo Murdock’s spot-kick onto the post, somehow looked like Longford’s day?
Importantly Gilmore converted an injury time free to make it 1-8 to eight points at half-time.
Darren Gallagher sent over a side-line on the resumption, which Ross Carr cancelled out. Dylan Farrell restored the four point lead with a 45 seven minutes into the second-half.
Then it came, the Down resurgence! A Havery point, a McGill goal on 45 minutes and it was level.
Donnagh McAleenan fisted a point and Down led for the first time in 43 minutes. Darragh Doherty kicked over an excellent point in response. It was Longford’s last score for 13 minutes.
Ceilum Doherty, Havern, Carr, Kerr pushed Down four clear, McGann’s 60th minute point bringing it back to a goal, but Longford ran out of steam.
Darragh Mason moved Down four clear. Andrew Farrell received a questionable black card and the game was up.
Haverty, McGill, Eugene Brannigan and Ceilum Doherty all added salt to the wounds as Longford bowed out.
Down move onto the Tailteann cup quarter-finals, but on this showing, any of the four group winners wont fear them.
