Cory Quinn (3), Paul Devlin and Barry O’Hagan all landed points late in the half to send Down into round 2 and leave the home support relieved at the final whistle.

It must have felt like Brexit had come early for Down — and boy was it a hard one.

The postponed Round 6 tie between Westmeath and Louth will take place next weekend, rather than midweek ensuring the final will not take place in Croke Park next weekend.

Down have moved top of Division 3 of the Allianz Football League, while Derry guaranteed promotion from Division 4, as they continued maintained their winning ways, with an away victory over Limerick.

Colm Collins blamed a frozen pitch in Páirc Esler for the horrific ankle injury sustained by Dermot Coughlan, while Kieran McGeeney was unhappy three key decisions went against Armagh in an action-packed Division Two draw in Newry.

Mattie Donnelly knew what some were saying. And he knew why.

Like their half-time advantage of one point, Cork weren’t in any way flattered by the final result as they dismissed Down with relative ease.

Cork senior football coach Ronan McCarthy is hopeful that Seán Powter will be back in full training by May, but he insists that the talented youngster will be given as much time as is required to recover from a torn hamstring.

Former Cork star Joe Kavanagh believes ensuring the county are in contention for the All-Ireland Super Eight series is more important than promotion to Division 1 of the Allianz League.

He would have been entitled to feel smug or wag a finger in the general direction of his detractors after a torrid 18 months, but Eamonn Burns instead used his winning platform to heap praise on his unfancied Down team after they pulled off the county’s first Ulster championship win over Armagh in 25 years.

Down 1-13 Meath 0-14: It was a long time coming, so Eamonn Burns was relieved to get Down over the winning line as they picked up a first Allianz League victory in almost two years.

When the disaffected demand change, they should have a fairly spectacular back-up plan at the ready.

AIB All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final

Yes, there are a few stragglers still out there begrudging, but it is time to give rugby its due.

Tyrone’s dominance over neighbours Derry shows no sign of abating, and another convincing win saw them collect a sixth successive Dr McKenna Cup title at Pairc Esler.

Derry 2-12 Monaghan 1-13: Dessie Mone suffered a suspected broken wrist as Monaghan lost out to Derry for a place in Saturday’s McKenna Cup final.

Kilcoo (Down) 4-13 Maghery (Armagh) 0-12: It was far easier than they expected, and Kilcoo impressive enough yesterday to suggest they’re going to take a lot of stopping in the Ulster Club SFC final.

Longford have upset the form guide with a Qualifier win over a vulnerable Down side at Pairc Esler, striking two killer goals in extra-time to book their place in Monday’s Round 2 draw.

Down 1-7 Dublin 1-15: Still holding a flawless record as they stride towards the Allianz League semi-finals may suggest Dublin are passing through the spring without being road tested. Jim Gavin, however, insists that the ride has been “a little bit bumpy”.

The Dubs made virtually certain of a National Football League semi-final place with a comfortable if unspectacular eight points win over Down at Pairc Esler.

Westmeath’s place in this year’s Allianz HL Division 2A final is all but assured after they led from pillar to post in yesterday’s top-of-the-table clash with Antrim at Cusack Park, eventually running out 2-11 to 0-10 winners at the Mullingar venue.

Kerry forward Paul Geaney has labelled their Allianz League clash with fellow basement battlers Down a “four-pointer” that they must win.

He’s won everything Gaelic football has to offer and been handsomely rewarded with silverware, but Frank McGlynn has revealed his sporting career could have been panned out very differently — if it hadn’t been for Wayne Rooney.

Rory Gallagher says the larger gap this year compared to last before the Ulster SFC means his Donegal side can enjoy the Allianz League.

The GAA’s Interprovincials are in danger of being cancelled after all six games were postponed due to Storm Desmond over the weekend.

Down 1-17, Galway 1-16: Kevin Walsh was left regretting Galway’s wastefulness as Down came with a late charge to snatch a valuable win which moved them to the top of Div 2 in the Allianz Football League.

Allianz FL Division 2 Round 2: Down 1-11 Roscommon 1-15: An impressive away victory in Pairc Esler on Saturday night is further proof that Roscommon will be "no pushovers" this year, according to manager John Evans.

Ulster Council chiefs aim to complete the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup on schedule despite the postponement of four group stage fixtures last night.

Armagh made virtually certain of a place in the semi-finals of the Bank of Ireland Dr McKenna Cup with a 2-11 to 0-14 win over St Mary’s at the Athletic Grounds.

McKenna Cup

Ireland recorded a sixth successive Senior Hurling/Shinty Series win, while Scotland took U21 and Women’s victories at Páirc Esler on Saturday.

Hurling-Shinty: Scotland 3-6-4 (23) Ireland 2-3-4 (14)

Down scored their biggest ever win in the All-Ireland qualifiers when they dished out a drubbing to an understrength Leitrim side at Pairc Esler in Newry.

Seán Cavanagh believes Tyrone is one of the few counties that can challenge Dublin’s strength in depth.

Down 0-12 Tyrone 3-11