Down defeat Waterford in Tailteann Cup opener

Down 2-14 Waterford 1-6

Down got their Tailteann Cup campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable victory over Waterford.

There was little to excite the crowd in the first half and Down dominated proceedings after the turnaround.

Pat Havern traded scores with Jason Curry (two frees each) before Conor Murray rifled home the first goal of the game after 18 minutes.

Havern added to his growing tally before the host shot ahead, with Eamon Brown raising a green flag after some neat hand passing from the Down attack.

Three on the trot from Anthony Morgan, Havern and Andrew Gilmore added some sparkle to an otherwise dull first 35 minutes.

Down controlled the encounter in the second half and Odhran Murdock’s 50th minute goal put the game beyond doubt.

The Burren youngster bundled through a number of chances and coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Murdock received a black card late in the game, with Down ahead by nine, and his absence had little bearing on the rest of the game.

The stylish Andrew Gilmore impressed, and he added a couple of scores, as did substitute Donach McAleenan.

Elsewhere, goals from Paddy Lynch and Jonathan McCabe saw Cavan get their Tailteann Cup campaign off to a winning start.

Mickey Graham’s side, who lost last years decider to Westmeath, didn’t get it all their own way against Laois.

But the Breffni men, playing on home soil, came good in the second half to earn a comfortable 2-20 to 1-14 victory.

Down scorers: Pat Havern 0-5 (2f 1m), Andrew Gilmore 0-4 (2f), Eamon Brown 1-0, Odhran Murdock 1-0, Donach McAleenan 0-2, Anthony Morgan 0-1, Andrew Gilmore 0-1 (1f), Eugene Branagan 0-1.

Waterford scorers: Conor Murray 1-0, Jason Curry 0-2 (2f), Darragh Corcoran 0-2, Jason Gleeson 0-1, Dermot Ryan 0-1.