Write a commentPaul Braniff saw Down over the line as they saw off the challenge of a dogged Mayo to win 0-19 to 0-17 at Elverys MacHale Park on Saturday in the Christy Ring Cup first round.
Led by centre half-forward Braniff, Gerard Monan's men raced into a 0-7 to 0-1 lead after 10 minutes. Three frees from Braniff, along with a brace of points from both Paul Sheehan and Daniel Toner, left Down in total command.
But Mayo rallied in the closing stages of the first half and the sides went in at the break with Down leading by 0-11 to 0-7.
The westerners burst out of the blocks in the second half and had the game back to a single point inside four minutes thanks to three pointed frees from Feeney.
But Down dug in and points from Braniff, Sheehan and Conor Mageen kept them in front.
Mayo captain Keith Higgins drove over a point from near the sideline and then set up Darren McTighe to leave the gap just 0-14 to 0-13.
With 20 minutes left he sliced through the Down defence to score the equaliser and Brian Hunt put Mayo in front for the first time a minute later to leave the Ardsmen in trouble.
But Down would not be denied and Braniff levelled the game before Fintan Conway broke from defence to put his side back into the lead.
Michael Turley clipped on another after he came off the bench and Braniff made the gap three with five minutes left.
Mayo couldn't find the scores they needed and Down held on for a deserved win.
