By Shaun Casey

FOR long periods of Down’s clash with Louth last Saturday afternoon, it looked like the home side would cruise to a comfortable win but victories in the All-Ireland series are rarely as straightforward as that.

Conor Laverty’s side breezed past Clare in the opening round but needed all their guts, hunger and desire to defeat the Leinster Championship winners and pick up their second win of the campaign.

Caolan Mooney, one of the older statesmen in the team, entered the fray when Down looked in control and his point put them nine to the good entering the final quarter. What unfolded was an unbelievable period of drama that finished with a one-point win.

“If you were a neutral coming to watch that you’d be on the edge of your seat with enjoyment but on our end we’re just absolutely delighted to get over the line,” said Mooney, who plays his club football with RUG Downpatrick.

“The boys have put in a fair shift these last three years since Lav (Conor Laverty) came in so it was good to get over the line at the end when the pressure was on.”

Mooney notched a goal when he was introduced off the bench in the opening round against the Banner and while those in the ground may have felt a degree of comfort when he pointed at Newry, Mooney insists his side weren’t focused on what the scoreboard said.

“I can’t remember what was happening at that stage and you’re not even looking at the score you’re just going minute by minute and it came down to the last minute with (Adam) Crimmins getting the block there to see it out,” he added.

“It doesn’t matter how many points you’re up because it’s not over until the whistle goes and today proved that. That’s why the rules have come in, to take out that blanket defence and it showed today with us in the first half and Louth in the second.

“It’s paying its purpose to the game, it’s adding a bit of excitement, you don’t know when someone’s breaking through if they’re going to go for one or two so you have that option and it’s good to see.”