Down maintain their upward trend after sealing Sligo rout in Division Three

Down 2-17 Sligo 1-08

Down's Ryan McEvoy challenges for the ball with Sligo's Paul Kilcoyne and Patrick O'Connor at Pairc Esler

Down's Miceal Rooney and Sean Carrabine of Sligo jostle during the NFL Division Three encounter

Down's Peter Fegan is tackled by Luke Towey of Sligo during the sides' encounter

thumbnail: Down's Ryan McEvoy challenges for the ball with Sligo's Paul Kilcoyne and Patrick O'Connor at Pairc Esler
thumbnail: Down's Miceal Rooney and Sean Carrabine of Sligo jostle during the NFL Division Three encounter
thumbnail: Down's Peter Fegan is tackled by Luke Towey of Sligo during the sides' encounter
Gavin Cawley

Conor Laverty’s Down side remain the team to beat as they outclassed Tony McEntee’s Sligo outfit at Pairc Esler in Newry on Sunday.

A goal on 17 minutes from Ceilum Doherty set them on their way as he finished the ball into the net, and they never really looked back after that.

Sligo tried to respond with a goal of their own, but Sean Carrabine’s effort came off the post.

The first 10 minutes were quite cagey between the sides before the hosts took control, with three points without reply ahead of the first goal of the match that came through Doherty.

Down's Miceal Rooney and Sean Carrabine of Sligo jostle during the NFL Division Three encounter

The home side led at the break 1-08 to 0-05, with the Mournemen full value for the lead.

And they got off to the perfect start to the second half when they scored 1-01 without reply.

The second goal came on 38 minutes from James Guinness, who fired the ball into the net to put Down 10 points in front.

Sligo did respond, as team captain Niall Murphy added a free, and this was followed by an excellent goal from Nathan Mullen to give the visitors hope of a comeback as they trailed 2-09 to 1-06, but that was as close as got from the visitors.

In the final quarter, the impressive Pat Havern added four frees to ensure that the home side would ease to a comfortable win.

Next up for the League leaders will be a meeting with Westmeath in Mullingar on March 17.

Down's Peter Fegan is tackled by Luke Towey of Sligo during the sides' encounter

Scorers, Down: P Havern 0-07 (6f), C Doherty 1-02, P Guinness 1-01, D Guinness 0-02, D Magill, R McEvoy, L Kerr, J O’Hare, O Savage 0-01 each.

Sligo: S Carrabine 0-04 (2f), N Mullen 1-00, P O’Connor, C Lally, A McLoughlin, N Murphy 0-01 each.

DOWN: O’Hare; Fegan, McEvoy, Doherty; Rooney, Laverty, McGill; Flynn, Johnston; Mooney, Kerr, D Guinness; Magill, P Havern, J Guinness.

Subs: Francis for Mooney (29), Savage for J Guinness (47), McKibben for Johnston (60), McElroy for Magill (64), Collins for Kerr (66).

SLIGO: Devaney; McNamara, McGuinness, Lyons; Cox, Cummins, Mullen; O’Connor, Kilcoyne; McLoughlin, Conlon, Lally; Towey, Carrabine, Murphy.

Subs: Deignan for Conlon (HT), Mulligan for Towey (47), O’Boyle for Murphy (58), Gordan for Mullen (58), K Cawley for O’Connor (68).

Referee: B Tiernan (Dublin)