Tailteann Cup: Down beat Longford to reach last eight as Fermanagh lose to Laois

Danny Magill scored Down's goal in the second half

Down advanced to the quarter-finals of the Tailteann Cup with a 1-20 to 1-12 victory over Longford at Páric Esler.

Conor Laverty's men trailed by three-points at the break, but Danny Magill's 45th-minute goal was the catalyst for a deserved eight-point win.

Joe Hagan's goal midway through the first-half had put the visitors in control.

At Brewster Park, Fermanagh fell to a 1-11 to 1-9 home defeat against Laois.

Corner forward Mark Barry scored two late points to seal the win for the visitors against their 14-man opposition, who had Ryan Jones sent off in the first half.

In Newry, there was little to separate the sides in the opening exchanges. Twice Longford threatened to edge clear but, on both occasions, Down fought their way back and the sides were locked at 0-4 apiece after 14 minutes.

Longford then began to assert themselves and, helped by the accuracy of Hagan, the Midlanders led 0-7 to 0-4 by the 24th minute.

Hagan then claimed the game's first goal in the 28th minute after Niall Kane allowed his tame effort on goal to squirm through his hands and into the net - and it almost got worse for Down a minute later, though this time Kane saved excellently to deny Hagan a second goal.

Down had a glorious chance to go in at the break on level terms after referee Anthony Nolan awarded them a penalty when Bryan Masterson dragged down Kerr in the square. However, Odhran Murdock's spot-kick was tipped onto the post by Patrick Collum, meaning Down trailed 1-8 to 0-8 at half time.

Down showed more urgency in the second period and started to take control. They were rewarded for their endeavours in the 45th minute when Magill surged through the heart of the visitors' defence to finish low past Collum into the Longford goal.

Further points from Pat Havern, Ross Carr and Rory Mason only further strengthened the home side's cause.

Helped by a healthy contribution of 1-5 from the bench, Down easily powered past a faltering Longford challenge to confirm their place in Monday morning's draw.

Jones sent off as 14-man Fermanagh lose

Fermanagh's Ryan Jones was red-carded

At Brewster Park, meanwhile, Che Cullen gave Fermanagh a fantastic start after just two minutes when he went on a fine solo run that ended with him notching the opening point of the match.

Shane McGullion missed a goal chance for the hosts before the initiative was handed to the visitors when Jones was red-carded following an incident with Laois midfielder Damon Larkin.

With full-forward Evan O'Carroll grabbing two points, Laois took a 0-6 to 0-4 lead into the interval.

Fermanagh started the second half strongly and points from Luke Flanagan, Conor McGee, Ryan Lyons and Brandon Horan put them 0-8 to 0-6 in front.

An outstanding solo goal from veteran Laois centre back Mark Timmons restored Laois' lead only for Sean Quigley to net for Fermanagh after a superb Ultan Kelm run.

Two Paul Kingston points edged Laois ahead again - as Fermanagh missed a couple of great chances for points of their own - and while Lyons got the home side on terms once more, two closing Mark Barry points sealed the O'Moore County's win.

In Saturday's other preliminary quarter-finals, Wexford defeat Offaly 1-22 to 2-14 in Tullamore while Carlow earned a 0-15 to 0-10 home win over New York.

Down: N Kane, A Doherty, P Laverty, P McCarthy (0-1), G Collins, R Magill, D Guinness, S Annett, O Murdock, C Doherty (0-1) D McAleenan (0-1), L Kerr (0-1), A Gilmore (0-3 1f), P Havern (0-6 3f), E Branagan (0-1).

Subs: R Carr (0-2 1M), for Collins (33), D Magill (1-0), for Annett (HT), R Mason (0-1) for McAleenan (47), E Brown for Gilmore (55), M Rooney for Kerr (59).

Longford: P Collum, P Fox (0-1), A Farrell, B Masterson, I O'Sullivan, M Quinn, P Lynn, R Moffett, D Gallagher (0-1), J Hagan (1-3), D Reynolds (0-1), A Farrell, K McGann, (0-2) D Farrell (0-2 1f 1 '45'), D Doherty (0-2 1M).

Subs: B O'Farrell for D Farrell (59), M Duffy for Doherty (62), D O'Brien for Reynolds (70), R Harkin for Lynn (70),