If anyone expected Down to stroll to victory in Aughrim, that certainly hasn't been the case so far.

With the wind at their backs, the Mourne men have held the lead in the game since the opening minute, but Wicklow have kept the scoreboard ticking over and have stayed in the game.

Playing against the elements for the next 35 minutes, Down will be doing all they can to fend off an upset win for Wicklow.

The second half begins shortly.

The Tir Chonaill men have hit the last five scores, Daire O Baoill on target with his second of the afternoon. A cracking score against the breeze because he was close to 30 yards away from goal.

Donegal have the first score of the second half and it's a close-range free from Patrick McBrearty into a strong wind. Every score against the breeze is precious for Donegal.

Down are having the better of the action, but Wicklow aren't letting them pull away.

A Daniel Guinness score and two points from Pat Havern in a matter of minutes had them ahead by five, with only a solitary Brian Nesbitt point for Wicklow in reply during that spell.

However, two points from Chirstopher O'Brien in quick succession means that it is a one-score game heading into the changing rooms.

Down boss Conor Laverty hasn't been afraid to use his substitutes in this contest, with Conor McCrickard coming on for Gareth McKibbin - their second change of the half.

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Chris O'Brien added his third of the game, but Daniel Guinness has restored Down's three-point advantage.

Down have also made the game's first change with Shealan Johnston coming in for James Guinness.

Shane O'Donnell fires over to stretch the Donegal lead out to six at the break and that late flurry of scores before the whistle was exactly what the hosts needed.

They've been economical with the breeze kicking just two wides, with a series of long-range efforts sailing over.

But will six points be enough of a lead heading into a second half where Cork will have a strong wind advantage?

It's all to play for in the second half here at MacCumhaill Park.

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Down's Odhran Murdock put his side four ahead, but Wicklow's Christopher O'Brien has kept the home side within striking distance.

Peadar Mogan lands another at one end but Chris Og Jones quickly replies at the other for Cork.

Daire O Baoill curls a neat effort inside the post using the wind to his advantage.

The wind is certainly being well utilised by the hosts as full-back Brendan McCole fires over from range.

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Christopher O'Brien cut Down's lead to one, but points from Finn McElroy and Pat Havern have the Mourne men three ahead once again.

However, Wicklow almost found the net at the other end, but Down shot stopper John O'Hare pulled off a fine save to keep the shot out.

Monster scores from Odhran Doherty and Ciaran Thompson make it three without reply for Donegal.

Brian O'Driscoll stops the rot with a fine point but Ryan McHugh knocks over immediately after at the other end.

Down have started the brighter of the two sides in Aughrim, with a brace of points from Liam Kerr coming either side of an Oisin Savage score.

Wicklow have replied however, through John Paul Nolan.

They didn't make it straightforward for themselves, but Andy McEntee's side are off to a winning start after a hectic second half.

The Saffrons led by as many as eight points in the first half and held a six-point advantage at the break. But Limerick kept fighting and hit the back of the net twice in the second period.

However, Antrim weren't to be denied, and the key moment came on 57 minutes when Ruairi McCann scored Antrim's second goal of the day, before the visitors closed out the win by scoring four of the game's last five points.

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A Ronan Boyle point and two from the outstanding Dominic McEnhill looks to have Antrim home and dry in Rathkeale.

Brian O'Driscoll shoots over from a narrow angle to level the sides.

A moment of magic via the outside of Peadar Mogan's left boot nudges Donegal ahead once again.

We're underway in Aughrim where Down are heavy favourites to defeat Wicklow. However, Wicklow manager Oisin McConville will be hoping his side can cause an upset.

There is one change to the Down team listed in the programme, as Ryan Magill starts in place of Ceilum Doherty.

For Wicklow, Jack Tracey, Craig Maguire and Johnny Carlin are in for Fintan O'Shea, Declan Doyle and Gearoid Murphy.

Throw-in is just minutes away in Aughrim.

Donegal will play with a sizeable wind advantage in this first half, and they've already made great use of the elements.

Jamie Brennan landing from play before Patrick McBrearty tapped over a free.

Odhran Doherty lands another to stretch the lead out to three.

After several twists and turns, Antrim look to be on their way to victory now. Limerick's Brian O'Sullivan is shown a black card before McEnhill adds another point to push Antrim's lead out to five.

However, Limerick answered back with a score through Cillian Fahy.

Is there more drama to come?

Promotion from Division Three is the expectation this year for Down, who narrowly missed out last year despite winning five of their seven league games.

They begin their push with a trip to Wicklow today and manager Conor Laverty has named his team for the opener.

Down supporters will be glad to see towering midfielder Odhran Murdock included, as he has committed to the Mourne County for the 2024 season, despite being linked with a move to the play Australian Rules Football last autumn.

Fans of the red and black will also keenly be tracking the progress of corner forward Oisin Savage, who makes his first league appearance with the senior side after a stellar season with the U20 Ulster-title winning squad last season.

Oisin McConville’s Wicklow will hope to prove themselves at a higher level, having come up from Division Four. However, they will have to do so without their first-choice goalkeeper and free taker Mark Jackson who - like Down’s Charlie Smyth - is trying out for a place in the NFL.

Wicklow: S Doyle; T Moran, M Nolan, F O’Shea; J Prendergast, P O’Keane, J McColl; D Healy, D Doyle; C O’Brien, JP Nolan, C Baker; B Nesbitt, K Quinn, G Murphy.

Down: J O’Hare; P Fegan, P Laverty, R McEvoy; F McElroy, D Guinness, P McCarthy; O Murdock, J Flynn; C Doherty, L Kerr, J Guinness; G McKibbin, P Havern, O Savage.

Referee: A Coyne (Westmeath).

Image source, BBC Sport