Down's youth the key

Lively Longford had no shortage of opportunities to cause a stir on their first visit to Newry. Driven on by a strong midfield partnership of David Hanniffy and Ian Browne, they stamped their authority on this top of the second division clash for long periods.

But they were exposed by the natural attacking ability of the young Down forwards as the game wore on, and the increasingly maladroit finishing of the visitors stood in contrast to the flair and slickness of Down teenagers like Michael Walsh and Ronan Murtagh as they popped over point after well-taken point in the final quarter.

Longford, forceful on the ball and strong in a tackle, made it hard for the youthful Down side to settle in the opening half. They led 0-4 to 0-1 by the 15th minute, James Maretin, Padraig Davis and Martin Mulleavy all contributing stylish scores.

And even though Down had scrambled back on terms, via four pointed frees, it was Longford who again responded with swagger, Paul Barden sending them in 0-7 to 0-5 up with an exhilarating point just before half time.

Down opted for a much more direct approach in the second half, with young Michael Walsh at the hub of things, and were 0-9 to 0-8 ahead by the 45th minute.

Longford weren't ready to succumb, however, and another equaliser from the nippy Martin appeared to set up a thrilling finish.

It didn't happen. Down's young forwards, especially Ronan Murtagh, Michael Walsh and Danny Coulter, turned on the charm in the last quarter, while Paul Shiels, Alan Molloy, Michael McGill and Brendan Grant are others who can take a lot of credit for their second-half improvement.

In hurling, a glorious equalising goal two minutes from time by teenager Paul Braniffe earned Down a deserved draw against a Tommy Carew-inspired Kildare at Ballycran.

Up 0-5 to 0-1 after 10 breeze-assisted minutes, Down then found themselves in trouble as a John Dempsey goal put kildare 14 to 0-5 up by the 29th minute.

Once more Down hit back through Gerrard McGrattan to lead 0-8 to 1-4 at half time; but within five minutes of the re-start a Carew goal had the visitors back in front by 2-6 to 0-9.

Substitute Liam Clarke then took a hand, shooting one goal and laying on another for Brian Branniff, to put Down 2-9 to 2-6 clear. But then five points on the run for Carew helped Kildare back 2-15 to 2-9 in front, entering the final five minutes.

Down still had one spurt of resistance left in them, however; and Garry Gordon did the work leading up to young Paul Branniff's spectacular equaliser.

DOWN: P Travers; P McConville, C Byrne, B Grant; M McMurray, M McGill (0-1), B Kearney; L Doyle, A Molloy; C Daly (0-3), M Walsh (0-6), B Coulter; P Bradley (0-2), A O'Prey (0-1), D McGrady. Subs: P Shiels for L Doyle, R Murtagh (0-2) for P Bradley, S Walsh for D McGrady, M Doran for C Byrne.

LONGFORD: G Tonra; B Burke, D Ledwith, C Drake; M Mulleady (0-1), A O'Connor; E Ledwith, D Hanniffy, I Browne; P Ross (0-1), P Barden (0- 1), D Barden; J Martin (0-2), P Davis (0-3), A Neilan. Subs: T Smullen (0-2) for A Neilan; P Brady for P Ross.

Referee: M Daly (Mayo).