Carlow downed in Portaferry
Down 2-11 Carlow 0-14, Portaferry
First half goals from Aaon O'Prey and Eoin Clarke set Down on their way to a three-point victory over Carlow at Portaferry.
O'Prey (17 minutes) and Clarke (24) netted for the Mourne men who led by 2-06 to 0-04 at half-time.
Carlow hit back in impressive fashion at the start of the second half, and Dwayne Kavanagh and Paul Kehoe chipped in with three points apiece.
But five points from Gareth Johnson were vital as the hosts prevailed in a tight finish.
It was an encouraging victory for Down, who lost by two points to the Leinster side in last year's corresponding fixture. Especially with Paul Braniff, Ciaran Coulter and Gabriel Clarke out injured.
