Down came from three points down to cruise to an eight point win over Longford, as they showed their class with a strong second comeback etching their name in the Tailteann Cup quarter-finals.

Outscoring their visitors 1-12 to 0-04 in the second half, Down were well deserved of their win, as Longford will rue three missed goal chances in the opening half, with more coming in the second.

Niall Kane may have gifted Longford a goal in that opening half, but the Down net minder did his job for the remainder of the tie, keeping Longford's goal threat at bay, while Pat Havern ahead was a big scoring notching 0-06.

The Longford men were first on the board as Keelin McGann pointed an excellent score from play in the opening minute, Pat Havern replied however with two points to give Down the lead after three minutes.

Seven minutes later Down were back in front, Darragh Doherty levelled the tie before Patrick Fox raced up from the back and kicked over the black spot. Andrew Gilmore pulled Down level once again but by the end of the opening quarter Dessie Reynnolds had Longford ahead 0-5 to 0-4.

Joe Hagan has been a solid forward for Longford all season, he kicked two great scores to pull the margin between the sides out to three after 21 minutes, Liam Kerr raced in toward the Longford goal but opted to fist over the bar and make it a two point game instead of going for the net.

When Longford got their goal chance less than 60 seconds later they took it, Hagan their top goal scorer added his third of the Tailteann campaign, it was a long ball in by Hagan that Niall Kane spilled into his own goal, a gift just before the half hour mark, 1-7 to 0-5 a five point lead for Longford.

Eugene Branagan pulled a point back for Down but he needed Kane to be at his best to deny Hagan a second goal from the following attack, Hagan was found in space one on one with Kane but he did well to block the shot and a rebound that followed.

Dylan Farrell restored the five point margin for Longford, converting from a 45, that gave Longford the edge but they almost coughed up a goal chance as Down were awarded a penalty, Paddy Collum saved onto the post, the ball came back in play and Longford conceded a penalty that Andrew Gilmore tapped over to leave it 1-8 to 0-8 at the break.

Darren Gallagher started the second half with a monster of a point from 40-50 yards out near the sideline, it went over the blackspot for the point of the afternoon, Collum left his goal line and almost saw his side concede a goal as a deflection was just wide of the goal.

Ross Carr left a goal between them after 40 minutes but Dylan Farrell was quick to put four between them once more with a free, Havern replied and after substitute Danny McGill produced a mazy run through the Longford defence, the sides were level after he shot low to the bottom corner of the net,  1-10 to 1-10.

Down kept their tails up and Donagh McAleenan fisted them back in front, it was a tight battle and again Lonfford fought back as Darragh Doherty was quickest to react to a Dylan Farrell long range free not making the target, but another firsted point this time by Ceilum Doherty restored downs narrow lead a minute later.

Havern pointed a free to keep the tie in Down's favour, before a brilliant mark by Ross Carr, left three between the sides, 1-14 to 1-11 after 58 minutes, Havern again was having an exhibition and he set up Patrick McCarthy to first over for a four point lead.

Just after the hour mark Keelin McGann got a much needed point for Longford as it was over ten minutes since they had last registered a score, but Rory Mason, another of the Down backup brigade popped over a beauty from play, 1-16 to 1-12 for Down after 63 minutes.

Longford were throwing everything including the kitchen sink at Down to salvage something, Andrew Farell was chucked at full-forward instead of full-back, almost turned out to be a tactical masterclass as he won a high ball, turned and shot but Kane saved well to deny him.

Aaron Farell was black carded late on, with Havern pointing a resulting free just before the end of normal time and it looked like Down were home and hosed by this stage, Rory Mason added another free while Eugune Branagan and another Mason free capped the result, Longford reduced another man late on as Daire O’Brien received their second black card.