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 Ulster men suddenly found themselves on the back foot. Raiding defender John Furlong got in for a 51st minute goal to make it 3-10 to 0-19 and it was hard to believe that Offaly were level.
Paddy McCarthy and Conor McCrickard put Down two clear, but Offaly were now throwing caution to the wind.
Jack Bryant and Keith O'Neill (free) levelled it up and Offaly missed chances to sneak in front while the numbers were evened up when Down midfielder Jonny Flynn walked for a second yellow card in the 66th minute.
It was wide open for both teams but a 69th minute goal from sub Oisin Savage got Down ahead at a crucial stage.
Jack McCartan and Jordan Hayes exchanged points to leave a goal in it in injury time.
Offaly pushed everyone forward in a bid to manufacture a goal and Cormac Egan almost got in before Down broke forward and Ryan Magill got a goal for a six-point winning margin that was harsh on the losers.
Down: John O'Hare; Finn Murdock, Ryan Magill (1-0), Paddy McCarthy (0-1); Gareth McKibben (0-2), Danny Magill (0-2), Shealan Johnston (0-1); James Guinness (0-2), Jonny Flynn; Rory Mason (0-1), Shane Annett (0-2), Ben McConville (0-1); Paul Quinn (0-4, 2f), Conor McCrickard (0-3,1m and 1f), Miceal Rooney (0-1).
Subs: Caolan Mooney (0-1) for Murdock (39m), Jamie Doran for McConville (46m), Eamonn Brown for Magill (46m), Oisin Savage (1-0 for Quinn (51m), Jack McCartan (0-1) for Mason (57m)
Offaly: Ian Duffy; Diarmuid Finneran, David Dempsey (0-1), John Furlong (1-0); Cormac Egan (1-0), Peter Cunningham, Lee Pearson (0-1); Eoin Carroll, Cathal Donoghue; Daire McDaid (1-1), Cathal Flynn (0-1), Jordan Hayes (0-1); Nigel Dunne (0-4, 2f), Keith O'Neill (0-2, 1f), Jack Bryant (0-2).
Subs: Kevin McDermott for O'Donoghue (HT), Jack McEvoy for Bryant (55m), Anton Sullivan for Dunne (60m)
Referee: Kieran Eannatta (Tyrone).
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