Down secure Tailteann Cup final place in extra time over 14-man Sligo

Odhran Murdock's goal from the penalty spot in extra-time proved the decisive score as Down were forced to dig remarkably deep to keep their Tailteann Cup title hopes alive.

Last year's beaten finalists were also mightily grateful to Ryan McEvoy who forced extra-time with a 77th-minute equalising point before winning the penalty that Murdock hit that crucial goal from.

Down had other heroes too on the day, like top scorer Pat Havern who burned brightest early on, while substitute Liam Kerr hit three important points in a thrilling and well matched encounter.

Down were aided by the 61st-minute straight red card shown to Sligo's Nathan Mullen, leaving Tony McEntee's side down to 14 for the remainder of the contest.

Defeat was tough on Sligo who also bowed out at the same stage in 2022, though they went down fighting and forced the tournament favourites to conjure perhaps their most courageous win yet under Conor Laverty.

Down will return to Croke Park on 13 July for an intriguing final clash with Laois, the same team they put 8-16 past at this stage of last year's competition.

Down supporters fancied their chances beforehand of back-to-back semi-final wins having returned to this stage with four wins on the trot but couldn't have imagined the epic that was in store.

The Ulster semi-finalists dispatched Limerick, London, Offaly and then Wicklow with a combined 46 points to spare.

Boss Laverty felt he got the right mix with a series of changes to the published lineup, drafting Finn McElroy, Paddy McCarthy, Ceilum Doherty and John McGovern into his team.

But they ran into a Sligo side on a similar upward curve. The Yeats County were deeply frustrated that they didn't beat Galway in the Connacht semi-finals so weren't going to be