Goals from Pat Havern and Conor Francis helped Down off to a winning start in Division 3 of the Allianz Football League as they held off Tipperary’s comeback for a 2-11 to 1-11 victory in Thurles.

After building up a 0-5 to 0-1 lead, the visitors landed the first hammer blow on 20 minutes that saw Havern hammering to the Premier men’s net.

Leading by 1-6 to 0-2 at the halfway stage, Conor Laverty’s charges looked home and hosed once Francis netted their second on the hour mark but there’d be a late revival from Tipp.

Conor Cadell’s goal was followed up by a fisted point from Donough Leahy, which left a goal in it with six minutes to go, but Down were able to hold out for two early points and their first Allianz League win since May 2021. 

In Ederney, Fermanagh proved too strong for Longford as they secured a convincing 0-15 to 0-8 victory on opening weekend.

Darragh McGurn, Ultan Kelm and Sean Quigley, who finished with 0-7, led the way for the Ernesiders as they led by 0-11 to 0-6 at the break.

A David McGivney free was backed up by a Keelan McGann point early in the restart to bring the visitors within three, but Fermanagh pulled away again with more frees from Quigley on their way to booking a first round win.

Great result today & lovely to see our players taking time to sign autographs for the young fans!
👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/ptGGBVR1cq

— Fermanagh GAA (@FermanaghGAA) January 28, 2023

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