All-Ireland champions Kilcoo dig deep to win 10th title in 11 years after extra-time drama

Kilcoo 1-13 Cumann Pheadair Naofa 0-15 (after extra-time)

Kilcoo did what Kilcoo do to see off a battling Cumann Pheadair Naofa after extra-time in an enthralling Down SFC final in Pairc Esler.

The Magpies clinched a remarkable 11th county title since 2009 and they'll take some beating in the Ulster championship, where they may face Monaghan champions Ballybay, who are managed by Jerome Johnston.

The Warrenpoint team were chasing their first title since 1953 and they stood toe-to-toe with the defending All-Ireland champions but Kilcoo are cool customers when it comes to tight finishes. Pressure is for tyres they say.

The seaside town team played brilliantly to come within a sniff of the title and perhaps with a bit more courage they might have clinched a winner in normal time. As it happened, Kilcoo did enough in the first half of extra-time to keep the Point at bay.

Kilcoo led by two points at the break. The Magpies only needed to show their teeth once and it was an exquisite pass from new Down manager Conor Laverty that sent Ryan Johnston on his way to net with 22 minutes on the clock.

As expected, both sides put bodies behind the ball in defence but they weren’t shy going forward in numbers too and this produced a better spectacle than many expected.

It was a laboured opening few minutes with neither side showing their hand but Warrenpoint took the lead on four occasions with Ruairi McCormack, Niall McGovern, Donagh McAleenan, Jamie Grant and Ruairi McGivern on target while Kilcoo replied through Celium Doherty, Man of the Match Paul Devlin who has won 11 county titles, Shealan Johnston and Micael Rooney.

Then came the breakthrough goal. Jerome Johnston kicked towards Laverty who caught the ball in his chest but only for a