UNDER-21 FC: Down 1-15 Mayo 2-9: DESPITE HAVING numerical advantage for the last 15 minutes, Mayo, the favourites in this All-Ireland under-21 semi-final at Longford on Saturday, failed to reel in a battling Down side.

The initiative appeared to be with the Connacht champions, who had twice come from five-point arrears, when John Fitzpatrick was dismissed on a second yellow card just after a Mikey Sweeney goal for Mayo had brought his side to within three points.

Kevin McLoughlin made it a two-point game and Down, now with 14 men, looked vulnerable. But the Ulster champions showed grit and determination, Paul McGinn responding to make the gap three again. Aiden O’Shea hit back with a Mayo point but it was Down’s influential full-forward Paul McComiskey who sealed victory with a late point.

The sides were level four times in the first half before Down began to open up with McComiskey, Jamie O’Reilly and Paul Devlin hitting good scores as Mayo went five behind only to be rescued by a goal just before half-time from Neil Douglas to leave them trailing 0-11 to 1-6 at the interval.

Devlin’s early second-half goal had Mayo trailing by five again, but it was wiped out by Sweeney’s effort. However, Down powered on to the final, against Cork, showing more class and strength in attack and their midfielders also dominated for long periods.

MAYO:R Hennelly (0-1, 45); E O'Reilly, K Keane, J Broderick; D Vaughan, L Keegan, K McLoughlin (0-2); T Parsons, A O'Shea (0-3); C Carolan (0-1), F Burke, B Gallagher; M Sweeney (1-1), N Douglas (1-0), J Doherty (0-1). Subs:S Prendergast for Broderick (24 mins), N Prenty for B Gallagher (38 mins), A Freeman for Carolan.

DOWN:G Joyce; N Higgins, C Murney, J Murphy (0-1); M Digney, J Fitzpatrick, T Hanna (0-1); M Magee, P Fitzpatrick (0-1); C Maginn (0-1), C Magee, J O'Reilly (0-3); P Devlin (1-3), P McComiskey (0-4), C Poland (0-1). Subs:Toner for C Magee (40 mins), D Turley for N Higgins (50 mins).

Referee: D Fahy (Longford).