Allianz Football League Division Two

DOWN 1-13 MEATH 0-14

By Orla Bannon at Pairc Esler, Newry

Down got a first win of substance in almost two years, leading from start to finish against Meath to collect a first victory in the Allianz Football League since April 2015.

Stung by criticism from inside and outside the county after losing to Clare last time out, which was a 14th straight defeat in League and Championship, Down played with an edge in Pairc Esler that has been absent recently.

Down were understandably nervous in the closing stages and needed fullback Gerard McGovern to deny Meath an equalising goal right at the death.

He deflected Donal Lenihan's goal-bound shot over the bar in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Having lost 10 Allianz League games in a row, Down needed a bit of luck to go their way and they got it as early as the second minute from Darragh O'Hanlon's dropping free - Joe Murphy reacting quickest to flick the ball into the net.

Donal Lenihan's point got Meath on the scoreboard – but they went a whole 29 minutes without scoring again from play as Down took over.

Battling hard for each other, they won most of the kickouts and Barry O'Hagan scored two points.

Conor Maginn, Darragh O'Hanlon and Aidan Carr all scored from distance with Down growing in confidence.

Meath full-forward Brian Sheridan caused some problems early on, but their lack of cohesion saw attack after attack break down, and Down counter-attacked smartly.

Lenihan and James Toher converted Meath frees before Donal Keogan ended their long wait for a score from play in the 34th minute.

Ryan Johnston and Graham Reilly traded scores, but Down were well in control leading 1-8 to 0-6 at the break. Meath needed to make something happen, but couldn't get anything going in the second half.

After his Sigerson Cup triumph with St Mary's, Kevin McKernan made a big impact on his return for Down with strong running and two points.

The inclusion of Kilcoo duo Darragh O'Hanlon and Ryan Johnston from the start also made a difference. Meath hung in the game somehow, mostly through the accuracy of Donal Lenihan's free-taking.

Down were a bag of nerves when Graham Reilly's 70th minute effort left just a goal between the teams, but McGovern's late intervention got them their first points in Division Two.

Scorers for Down: Darragh O'Hanlon 0-4 (3fs), Joe Murphy 1-0, Barry O'Hagan 0-2, Kevin McKernan 0-2, Aidan Carr 0-1, Conor Maginn 0-1, Ryan Johnston 0-1, Conaill McGovern 0-1, Jerome Johnston 0-1

Scorers for Meath: Donal Lenihan 0-8 (6fs), Graham Reilly 0-2, James Toher 0-2 (1f), Donal Keogan 0-1, Bryan McMahon 0-1.

DOWN: Marc Reid; Ryan McAleenan, Gerard McGovern, Darren O'Hagan; Darragh O'Hanlon, Conaill McGovern, Caolan Mooney; Peter Turley, Aidan Carr; Kevin McKernan, Conor Maginn, Joe Murphy; Shay Millar, Barry O'Hagan, Ryan Johnston

Subs: Brendan McArdle for G McGovern (48), Jerome Johnston for O'Hagan (49), Mark Poland for Mooney (65), Paul Devlin for R Johnston (69), Niall Donnelly for McKernan (BC, 70).

MEATH: Paddy O'Rourke; Donal Keogan, Conor McGill, Ruiari O Coileain; Willie Carry, Brian Power, Shane McEntee; Brian Menton, James Toher; Alan Forde, Cillian O'Sullivan, Cian O'Brien; Graham Reilly, Brian Sheridan, Donal Lenihan
Subs: Bryan McMahon for O'Sullivan (HT), Eamonn Wallace for O'Brien (48), David Toner for McEntee (62).

REFEREE: Martin McNally (Monaghan).