Down pushed to the limit by dogged Mayo

Late points from Conor Mageean, Michael Turley and Aaron O’Prey were required by Down to drag them over the line in this Christy Ring Cup opener at Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar on Saturday.

Mayo looked to be on the brink of a sensational upset when Brian Hunt fired them in front going into the closing stages, but Down rallied to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Mourne men looked to be well in command at half-time, leading by 0-11 to 0-7 with Paul Brannif, Paul Sheehan and Daniel Toner doing the damage on the scoreboard.