DOWN warmed up for their Christy Ring Cup clash against Kerry with a hard-earned win over Mayo at Pairc Esler, Newry, on Saturday.
Neither side had a great deal to play for with both clear of the relegation zone, but it was Mayo who started the better and points from Darren
McTigue, Derek McDonnell and Sean Regan gave them an early advantage and when Kenny Feeney pointed
after 12 minutes, they held a 0-6 to 0-3 lead.
Down then got to grips with Mayo and assumed control. The scores flowed from Conor Woods, Paul Sheehan, Paul Braniff, Scott Nicholson and Eoin Clarke as the home side eased into a six points lead by the 31st minute.
Feeney and Regan managed to reduced the leeway to four points by the time the referee blew the half-time whistle.
Down continued to dominate after the break and Danny Toner grabbed his side’s goal when Mayo goalkeeper Donal O’Brien spilled a shot from Sheehan.
Mayo replied with a goal from Stephen Hoban, but Down were not to be denied and further points from Braniff, Clarke and Michael Turley completed a good day at the office for Gerard Monan’s side.
Down: S. Keith, M. Hughes, P. Flynn, M. Ennis, C. Coulter, B. Toner, P. Hughes, A. Savage, C. Woods (0-3), S. Nicholson (0-3), P. Braniff (0-6, 0-3 frees), P. Sheehan (0-4), D. Toner (1-2), G. Johnson, E. Clarke (0-2). Subs: C. O’Prey for M. Ennis, M. Conlon for C. Coulter, G. Baillie for P. Sheehan, M. Turley for D. Toner, D. Hughes for A. Savage.
Down 1-22
Mayo 1-14
ALLIANZ NHL DIVISION 2B