Down 1-19 Tyrone 0-21 (0-16 each after normal time): Despite a late revival from Tyrone, inspired by substitute Tommy McGuigan, a Benny Coulter goal in the first period of injury-time eventually dethroned the Ulster champions at Pairc Esler in Newry this evening.
Tyrone appeared in complete control when Colm Cavanagh posted a fourth free after 19 minutes to secure a 0-7 to 0-3 lead. But Mickey Harte's men lost momentum thereafter, with captain Brian Dooher unusally subdued and the younger Cavanagh brother departing injured.
Cavanagh was replaced by Kevin Hughes but the loss of Harte's dead-ball expert was sorely felt.
Down pulled matters level with four points in a row through free taking centre back Liam Doyle (0-2), captain Dan Gordon and Paul Murphy.
It took an inspirational strike from Sean Cavanagh, operating at full forward, to give Tyrone an interval lead.
With defenders Liam Doyle and Aidan Carr excelling from placed balls, Coulter began to exert some influence with two signature points that swung the four point margin in Down's favour entering the last quarter.
Tyrone had chances to turn it around with Joe McMahon hitting the post approaching the hour mark after a marvellous over the head pass from Cavanagh tricked the defence. Moments later Colm McCullagh was guilty of missing a straight forward free but they did have a numerical advantage after Damien Rafferty walked for a second yellow card.
McGuigan, elder brother Brian was absent with damaged ribs, made a significant impact off the bench to kick 0-6, four frees, including the equalising score in the 73rd minute but it is Down who progress to the Ulster semi-final against Armagh or Cavan.
: 1 B McVeigh; 2 L Howard, 19 D McCartan, 20 P Murphy (0-1); 5 A Carr (0-4, three frees, 45), 6 L Doyle (0-6, six frees), 7 D Rafferty; 8 D Gordon (0-1, capt), 9 J Lynch; 22 A Rodgers (0-1), 15 B Coulter (1-3), 12 D Hughes (0-1); 13 J Clarke (0-1), 11 R Murtagh, 14 R Sexton.
: 27 P McCumiskey for J Lynch (45 mins), 25 K McKernan for J Clarke (52 mins), 29 S Kearney for R Murtagh (68 mins), 23 J Colgan for D McCartan (80 mins)
: J Devine; 2 R McMenamin, 3 Justin McMahon, 4 PJ Quinn; 5 D Harte, 6 C Gourley, 7 P Jordan (0-1); 8 C Gormley, 26 Joe McMahon; 10 B Dooher (capt), 27 R Mellon (0-1), 12 C Cavanagh (0-4, four frees); 13 M Penrose (0-1), 14 S Cavanagh (0-4, one free), 15 C McCullagh (0-4, one free).
: 21 K Hughes for C Cavanagh (31 mins), 18 P Donnelly for K Hughes (46 mins), 25 T McGuigan (0-6, four frees) for R Mellon (58 mins), 23 M McGee for PJ Quinn (80 mins), C Holmes for C Gourley (80 mins).
: P McEnaney (Monaghan).