All-Ireland SFC qualifier: Wexford 2-16 2-11 Down

Down keeper Stephen Kane keeps out Kevin O'Grady's shot

Two goals inside 70 seconds from brothers Naomhán and Tiernan Rossiter set Wexford up for victory over Down in the All-Ireland first round qualifier.

Jerome Johnston's goal put Down three points ahead but Wexford hit back with six unanswered points either side of the interval to take control.

Down kept in touch and trailed by two points with 15 minutes remaining.

The two quick goals proved decisive - Arthur McConville pegged a goal back and Down's Conor Garvey was sent-off.

Little separated these teams in the opening stages, and it wasn't until Johnston netted on 15 minutes that they were separated by more than a point.

The Kilcoo clubman's goal, coupled with Wexford losing Adrian Flynn to a black card, looked like pushing things firmly in the visitor's favour, but the Slaneysiders made a firm comeback.

David Power's side fired three unanswered points in a six-minute spell, with Ciaran Lyng and Michael O'Regan on target to level the game for the fourth time after 24 minutes.

Down captain Conor Laverty pushed the Mourne side back in front with a well taken score, but Wexford stole a march before the break.

Graeme Molloy marked his return from injury with a superb point, while further unanswered scores from Kieran Butler and Tiernan Rossiter ensured Wexford led by 0-9 to 1-4 at half-time.

Wexford continued to work impressively on the restart, and brought their run of unanswered scores to six points by the 42nd minute, with Lyng and Kevin O'Grady adding to their tally.

Goals suddenly rained in with brothers Tiernan and Naomhán Rossiter on target, and although McConville finished a close-range effort to the net, it came too late for the Ulster team.

Jim McCorry's charges were hit hard, and the 67th minute dismissal of Garvey on a red card, following an off-the-ball incident with Michael O'Regan, sent the visitors packing.

Wexford: S Roche; J Wadding, S Donohoe, N Rossiter (1-0); R Tierney, G Molloy (0-1), A Flynn; S Byrne, B Malone; K Butler (0-1), C Lyng (0-6, 5f), T Rossiter (1-1); B Brosnan (0-3, 1f), M O'Regan (0-3), K O'Grady (0-1).

Subs: E Nolan for Flynn (Black 18); A Masterson for Roche (30); J Tubritt for Butler (59); J Breen for N Rossiter (65).

Down: S Kane; L Howard, D Turley, D O'Hagan; P Devlin (0-1, 1f), C Garvey, R Boyle; P Fitzpatrick, K McKernan; C Maginn, M Poland (0-2), J Johnston (1-1); C Mooney (0-2), C Laverty (0-2), D O'Hare (0-3, 3f).

Subs: R Johnston for Maginn (43); P Downey for Fitzpatrick (48); A McConville (1-0) for O'Hare (58); R McGarry for Poland (59).

Referee: Cormac Reilly (Meath)

Saturday 27 June

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifying Round 1B

Armagh 2-17 2-07 Wicklow

Louth 1-16 0-11 Leitrim

Wexford 2-16 2-11 Down

Ulster Senior Football Championship semi-final

Derry 0-10 1-09 Donegal

Sunday 28 June

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifying Round 1B

Tyrone 1-14 0-8 Limerick

Leinster Senior Football Championship semi-finals

Meath 2-18 3-19 Westmeath

Dublin 5-18 0-14 Kildare

Ulster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final

Derry 1-17 3-16 Down