Down ruin opening day for old boss Pete McGrath

Down 1-14 Louth 0-11: Down didn’t let the Pete McGrath factor affect their mission in Drogheda, as they negotiated a tricky Division 2 opener against Louth.

McGrath was plotting a second successive opening day win over his native county after storming Pairc Esler 12 months ago with Fermanagh, but an encore was always unlikely as the Mourne men kept their neighbours at arm’s length throughout a scrappy encounter.

Louth did start brightly against a very strong breeze, but Down found their rhythm as the half progressed and led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the interval.