McCartan delighted with Down response

Having struggled to see off Clare in the previous round, Down manager James McCartan was pleased with his players' efforts in their eight-point dismissal of Leitrim.

Leitrim were licking their lips at the prospect of a shock qualifier win when Adrian Croal found the hosts' net 90 seconds into the second half.

But Down steadied themselves with a terrific run of eight unanswered points in Newry, including some brilliant scores from man-of-the-match Benny Coulter.

Coulter finished with 0-7 - all from play - and Martin Clarke grabbed 1-2 as the Mourne men maintained their interest in this year's All-Ireland Championship.

Emphasising what a hard-fought game it was, McCartan told BBC Radio Ulster: "People coming here just expect Down to win by 10 or 12 points, and we don't do that usually. Leitrim came here and put it up to us and fair credit to them.

"Certainly, after a few minutes into the second half when they scored a goal, it looked as if we were going to have to get down in the trenches again.

"We did that, and it was just nice the way our guys responded.

"We did well around the middle of the field - an area that probably wasn't so good the last time out - so hopefully we've turned a corner there too."

Coulter revealed that some harsh words from assistant manager Brian McIver sparked Down into the left after the break.

"Brian wasn't happy at half-time and had a go at a few of us. We had a poor first half," he admitted.

"It happened last week (against Clare) as well. We got a goal and we just stopped. It's something we will have to work on for next week."

The fit-again Conor Maginn made a welcome return as a second half substitute, while Danny Hughes, a 2010 All-Star like Clarke and Coulter, should be back from a hamstring injury for the next round.

Down's third round opponents will be revealed this evening, with McCartan adding: "Everybody going into the draw will think they've got a wee bit of momentum behind them and are on a roll.

"We could get another home draw and even if we don't, we'll try and be a match for anybody."

Meanwhile, Leitrim boss Mickey Moran was proud of how his players put it up to last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists and expressed his desire to remain in charge for a fourth year.

Moran oversaw Leitrim's first Championship win since 2008 when they surprised Sligo in the Connacht quarter-final in May.