David Lynch is one of the players trying to drive Westmeath forward and hits a crisp score to reduce the deficit to one. Within seconds, Robbie Forde sends over the equaliser. Westmeath were slow to settle but they're getting into this now.

Both sides are missing chances but Odhran Murdock shows his class with a fine point for Down.

Westmeath had to wait a long time for their opening score but it was worth waiting on, Sam McCartan strides forward from the half-back line and splits the posts.

Down have blocked and harried and not allowed Westmeath room to breathe up front, cutting out several attacks.

Pat Havern misses an easy enough chance to put them three up by sending the free wide.

Liam Kerr scores left-footed into the Hill as Down double their lead. Conor Laverty has to be delighted with this fast start.

Miceal Rooney scores for Down after 12 seconds!

One late change on the Down team, and it's a blow as Kilcoo's Ryan Johnston is ruled out. He's replaced at left half forward by John McGovern.

Two changes on the Westmeath team, Jamie Gonoud is in at cornerback for Kevin Maguire and full-forward Kieran Martin is replaced by Stephen Smith.

Down: J O'Hare; P Fegan, R McEvoy, C Doherty; F McElroy, P Laverty, D Guinness; J Flynn, O Murdock; J Flynn, O Murdock; M Rooney, L Kerr, J McGovern; D Magill, P Havern, J McGuinness

Westmeath: J Daly; C Scahill, C Drumm, J Gonoud; J Dolan, D Lynch, S McCartan; R Connellan, A McCormack; R Connellan, A McCormack; J Lynam, R O'Toole, C Dillon; L Loughlin, S Smith, R Forde

Having lost one final in Croke Park last year, Down will not want to make it an unwelcome double under Conor Laverty.

And they have every reason to be confident of atoning for last summer’s Tailteann Cup final loss to Meath with a win here this evening.

Westmeath won the Tailteann Cup in 2022 and are a lot more familiar with the surroundings than Down, but the Mournemen went through Division Three unbeaten and finished top of the table, scoring a high-flying 14 goals in their seven games.

The big pitch should suit the high tempo running game Down have been developing under Laverty and his coaching staff.

The sides drew 1-10 to 0-13 in Mullingar a few weeks ago – and John Heslin’s return since then undoubtedly is worth several points to the Lake county.

It should be a tight game but Down are averaging almost 21 points per game in the third tier, six points more than tonight’s opponents, and a similar return should be enough to see them celebrating on the steps of the Hogan Stand later.