Down secured the Division Three title as they saw off Wexford 0-21 to 0-18 after extra time at Croke Park in a final that carried significant All-Ireland implications.
The Mournemen started brightly, with Odhran Murdock claiming the throw-in and helping to set up Miceal Rooney for the opening score inside a minute.
Wexford responded immediately through Niall Hughes and the sides traded early points, with Division Three top scorer Pat Havern and Sean Nolan prominent.
The first half was finely balanced, with neither side able to pull clear. Pairic Hughes edged Wexford ahead with the game’s first two-pointer, but Down responded through Havern and Ceilum Doherty.
A key moment then arrived when Eoin Porter was black-carded for hauling down John McGeough, but Murdock’s resulting penalty was saved by Darragh Brooks.
Despite that setback, Down finished the half strongly. A two-pointer from Murdock and further scores from Havern and Doherty helped them into a 0-13 to 0-10 interval lead.
Daniel Guinness extended the advantage after the restart, but Wexford seized control of the second half. Mark Rossiter proved influential, landing consecutive two-pointers as the Model County outscored Down for a prolonged period and moved three points clear.
Down endured a 20-minute scoring drought before Doherty ended it, and late points from Liam Kerr and Ryan McEvoy hauled them level at 0-17 apiece.
Tom Close had a chance to win it at the death, but his effort drifted wide, sending the game to extra time.
Down regained control in the additional period. Guinness opened the scoring before substitute Ruairi McCormack and Adam Crimmins pushed them three clear, with Wexford failing to register in the first half of extra time.
Murdock extended the lead further in the closing stages, and although Robbie Brooks pulled one back and Wexford threatened with a series of late goal chances, they could not breach a resolute Down defence.
The victory keeps Conor Laverty’s side’s hopes of competing in the All-Ireland series as opposed to the Tailteann Cup alive.
The Mournemen must now hope that no county below them in the league rankings qualifies for their provincial final to ensure their place in the Sam Maguire.
