Down 2-16
Wicklow 1-21

By Michael McMullan

Down finished the season in disappointment after defeat at the hands of Wicklow at Croke Park on Saturday.

They led by 12 points at the break but a herculean turnabout saw them make history to win the title for the first time.

Down had the chances time and time again but failed to properly stop Wicklow’s surge.

It was the Ulster side who raced into a five-point lead before Oisin McGraynor’s 13^th minute opener for Wicklow.

Down could’ve had a goal in the first attack but Havern blasted over.

Micéal Rooney hit a two pointer as Down set the tempo, led by giving Mark Jackson no vacant pocked to hit.

When Jackson missed a free, Down went aggressive on the long for their first goal. Before Jackson could get back in goals, Daniel Guinness launched a high ball that Havern flicked to the net fore a 1-7 to 0-1 lead.

Ronan Burns was excellent on this kick-outs and made a fine double save from an Eoin Darcy penalty.

It was a long ball from Odhrán Murdock that was flicked to the net for John McGeough goal on the way to Down’s 2-10 to 0-4 interval lead.

Down scored first but a Darcy two-pointer gave the wind-assisted Garden county a boost, kicking into the Davin end.

A third O’Toole point made the score 2-11 to 0-9 after 43 minutes but Down still had control of their own kick-outs.

Down needed a Burns save to deny a goal after a cheap turnover with McGraynor notching a score to send the Wicklow fans into action.

When Kevin Quinn fisted over Wicklow were back to within two goals with 46 minutes gone.

Christpher O’Nrienb kicked a two-pointer and it was game on after down left a shot short at the other end.

Wicklow’s fans began to feed off every turnover as the game was back firmly in the melting pot.

Brown fired over a much-needed Down score but Wicklow were still energised, with McGraynor’s two pointer let three points between the teams.

Dean Healy levelled the game with a cracking 56^th minute goal after Down carried possession into the tackle at the other end.

Rooney and McCormick hit vital Down points to stem the tide with 12 minutes to go before Jackson’s two point free levelled the game again.

Down were winning their kick-out but a lack of composure and hunting goals left them frustrated.

Wicklow went down to 14 mine with a black card to defender Tom Moran.

Eoin Darcy put Wicklow ahead for the first time from a free after Havern had missed a free seconds earlier.

Wicklow can now look forward to 2027 with Sam Maguire football secured.

Down: Ronan Burns (0-4, 1 tpf); Peter Fegan, Pierce Laverty, Patrick McCarthy; Callum Rogers, Shane Annett (0-1), Ruairi McCormick (0-1); Ryan McEvoy, Odhran Murdock; Daniel Guinness (0-1), Ceilum Doherty (0-3), Micéal Rooney (0-3, 1tp); John McGeough (1-0), Pat Havern (1-2, 1f), Eamon Brown (0-1)

Subs: Caolan Mooney for McCarthy (28), Ryan Magill for Rogers (48), Ruari O’Hare for McGeough (53), Patrick Brooks for Brown (64)

Wicklow: Mark Jackson (0-3, 1tpf, 1 45); Tom Moran, Matt Nolan, Malachy Stone; Darragh Fee, Eoin Murtagh, Gavin Fogarty; Dean Healy (1-1), Jack Kirwan; Jonathan Carlin, Padraig O’Toole (0-3), Christopher O’Brien (0-2tp); Oisin McGraynor (0-4, 1tp, 1f), Kevin Quinn (0-4), Eoin Darcy (0-4, 1tp, 1f)

Subs: Joe Prendergast for Kirwan (52), Cian Deering for Murtagh (54), Mark Kenny for Fogarty (59), John Paul Nolan for McGraynor (68), Liam O Neill for Darcy (69)

Referee: Barry Tiernan (Dublin)