Eamonn Burns relieved as Down finally deliver

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.

They led from start to finish in Pairc Esler on Saturday night to draw a line under a sorry 14-match losing streak in league and championship stretching back to April 2015.

Joe Murphy’s second-minute goal was a bit fortunate, Paddy O’Rourke stranded on his line as a dropping ball was flicked past him, but having lost their last 10 Allianz League fixtures it was a slice of luck they probably needed to set them on their way.