Down ensured their promotion to Division 2 of the Allianz Football League by handing Clare a 3-15 to 1-10 defeat in Newry this afternoon.

Ceilum Doherty’s goal after five minutes set the tone for the Mourne men and despite Aaron Griffin hitting back with a major for Clare four minutes later, the hosts would be in control at half-time (1-7 to 1-4).

Emmet McMahon made it a two-point game early in the restart, but that would be as good as it got for the promotion chasing Banner men as Down moved five in front before an Odhran Murdock penalty saw them with one foot in the Division 3 final and a goal from Danny Magill afterwards sealed the deal.

The result saw Westmeath promoted and into the league decider despite a surprise 1-14 to 0-11 loss to Sligo at Markievicz Park.

The Yeats men finished their league campaign in style via a stirring closing quarter display that included a Sean Carrabine goal with five minutes left in normal time.

In Corrigan Park, Ruairi McCann’s goal on the eve of half-time proved crucial for Antrim as they defeated Wicklow by 1-14 to 0-14 to ensure their survival in the third tier.

Oisin McConville’s men fought to the end and had the margin at two in injury-time before Paddy McBride’s point sealed the Saffrons’ win which relegated Wicklow back to Division 4 for 2025.

Meanwhile, Offaly dealt already relegated Limerick their seventh straight loss of the campaign on the narrowest of margins (1-10 to 0-12) to record their second win in the division.

#AllianzLeagues Football Division 3 Table after Round 7

Antrim 1-14 v 0-14 Wicklow
Down 3-15 v 1-10 Clare
Offaly 1-10 v 0-12 Limerick
Sligo 1-14 v 0-11 Westmeath

⬆️ Down and Westmeath have been promoted.
⬇️ Wicklow and Limerick have been relegated.#GAA #Football #Antrim… pic.twitter.com/5Nm7huT6SY

— GAA League Tables (@GAALeagueTables) March 24, 2024

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