Down maintain 100% record in lively dead rubber

Down's dead rubber Tailteann Cup clash with Offaly proved to be a high scoring shootout that went down to the wire before the Ulster side got in for two late goals to secure their third win.

With the Mourne men assured of top spot in group 4 and Offaly out no matter what the result, there was very little interest in this one, but both teams attacked it well and the game really opened up in the second half, while Down played their best football in the first half.

Offaly came into the back of it on the back of traumatic defeats by London and Limerick, results that have gone down like a lead balloon in the county while Down had their hard work done and could afford to make wholescale changes.

The Faithful County made the perfect start with a first minute goal from the very impressive Daire McDaid, but Down took control all over the field after this.

They had seven points on the board before Keith O'Neill got Offaly's first point in the 16th minute.

Down continued to breach the Offaly rearguard with considerable ease in the second quarter, doubling their tally. They took some very good points and the fact that they had only one wide shows how clinical they were and led by 0-16 to 1-6 at break.

It appeared at that stage like they would win pulling up in the second half.

These expectations were given further substance when veteran Offaly midfielder Eoin Carroll got a straight red card a few seconds after the restart – the referee consulted with a linesman after a Down player went down.

Danny Magill and Paul Quinn got points as Down led by 0-18 to 1-7 after 40 minutes. A 43rd minute goal from Cormac Egan gave Offaly a boost all over the field and they finally threw off the shackles after this.

They attacked Down at great pace and the