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Niall Madine celebrates his first-half goal. Presseye/Matt Mackey/INPHO

Down notch dominant win over Leitrim to advance in All-Ireland qualifiers

Conor Laverty led a fine display of scoring from the Mourne County.

Down 4-18

Leitrim 0-09

DOWN MOVED INTO the next round of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifiers with a straightforward win over Leitrim at Páirc Esler in Newry.

James McCartan’s side powered into a dominant position in the opening half, racking up a 2-10 to 0-04 lead by the half-time break, with the goals coming from Niall Madine and Conor Laverty.

Substitute Damian Turley and Laverty added further goals after the interval, as Down continued to accumulate points. Ultimately, Leitrim’s challenge was never enough after they opened the scoring through Emlyn Mulligan’s free in the 2nd minute.

Points from Laverty [3], Dan Gordon, Donal O’Hare [3], Mark Poland, Conor Maginn and Benny Coulter allowed Down to build their imposing half-time advantage, with Leitrim only managing three further points in reply through Sean McWeeney, Robert Lowe and Micheal Cunningham.

With Laverty and O’Hare scoring the first two points of the second period, Down managed to pick up where they had left off, and continued to build their lead when the prolific Laverty struck for his second goal.

Coulter, Kevin McKernan and Liam Doyle all got their names on the score sheet for Down before the final whistle, while Gary Reynolds, Mulligan [2], Mark Poland and Nicholas Moore fired consolation points for a well-beaten Leitrim side.

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