Down came away with a six-point win over Offaly on Sunday but it was far from from plain sailing.
Offaly may have been already eliminated before the start of play, but they were full of early intent and after Gareth McKibbin opened the scoring for Down, they had the ball in the net through Daire McDaid, who was put in by Cathal Flynn.
Down replied well with the next six points and there was a good spread with no fewer than 10 players getting their name on the scoresheet in the opening period.
The Faithful were hanging in there with Nigel Dunne landing a brace and McDaid complimenting his earlier goal with a point, but Down were able to find a reply in a very open affair as late scores through Shane Annett, Ben McConville and Gareth McKibbin had them 0-16 to 1-6 ahead at the half.
It was a long way back for Offaly and their cause wasn’t helped as from the restart, referee Kevin Eannetta produced a red card for midfielder Eoin Carroll.
However, Offaly rose to the challenge superbly with Cormac Egan put through for their second goal on 44 minutes.
Caaolan Mooney hit back with a score for Down, but points from Cathal Flynn and Dunne left just a goal in it and that major would come with 52 on the clock as the ball broke to John Furlong who thumped past John O’Hare.
Down replied with scores from Paddy McCarthy and McCrickard, but Offaly pegged them back once again with eight to play.
Down would then lose Flynn to that second yellow late on but with the issue up for grabs, they found the response as Shane Annett teed-up substitute Savage for the goal and after an exchange of points, a cap was put on it when Rooney poked home at the death.
