Down's surprise five-point defeat to Longford at Pearse Park in the All-Ireland football qualifiers on Saturday brought to an end the tenure of long-standing team manager Peter McGrath, who announced his resignation after the game. It could mark the final game of former All Star Mickey Linden, the veteran being substituted during the match.
The Down County Board meet next Thursday and are likely to review the claims of former players Paddy O'Rourke - he captained Down to All-Ireland success in 1991 - and DJ Kane to succeed McGrath. The current minor manager Ross Carr and former hurling boss Frank Dawson have also been mentioned as possible contenders.
Longford owed their victory to an excellent first-half performance in which Paul and David Barden and full forward Padraig Davis were outstanding. The home team led by seven points and despite a rally of sorts by Down in the second half they could not bridge the gap and it was left to Paul Barden to round off a great day for Longford with two superb solo points.
McGrath was not the day's only managerial casualty with Antrim boss Brian White stepping down after his side's one-point defeat by Westmeath. Antrim came perilously close to snatching victory at Casement Park but Westmeath goalkeeper Aidan Lennon made an excellent save from substitute Paul Close to safeguard his side's victory.
The visitors were the better side when playing with the wind in the first half and it took a goal from Kevin Brady to keep Antrim in touch. Dessie Dolan finished with six points for Westmeath, all from play, and it was his accuracy when contrasted with the profligate shooting of some of the Antrim forwards that marked the difference between the teams.
Roscommon will reflect on a five-star performance from their full forward line that allowed them to ease to a 3-19 to 3-11 victory over Waterford in Dungarvan. Nigel Dineen, Stephen Lohan and Jonathan Dunning contributed 2-11 of their team's total as they maximised the steady flow of possession that came their way.
Last year's Connacht champions proved just too accomplished despite a gutsy performance from the home team.
A point from substitute Stephen Kelly at the end of extra time earned Limerick a 1-15 to 2-12 draw against Cavan in a cracking game played before 3,000 people at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
Cavan suffered an early blow when Under-21 captain Michael Brides suffered a broken leg just 90 seconds into the match. In a topsy-turvy encounter in which fortune swung one way then another, it appeared that Limerick would prevail, leading 1-13 to 1-9 with time running out. However, a goal from midfielder Pierce McKenna and an equalising point from Peter Reilly took the match into extra-time. Limerick's midfielder John Quane was sent off eight minutes into time added on that appeared to hand the initiative to Cavan before Kelly intervened. The replay will take place in Breffni Park.
Laois had a relatively facile victory over Carlow, running out seven points winners at Dr Cullen Park. The fare was relatively competitive in the first half with Laois leading by 0-9 to 0-6 at the break: the fact that the home side could not bridge that comfort gap allowed Laois to remain in control.
All six forwards scored for the latter, a fact that will have pleased manager Colm Browne. Chris Conway and Stephen Kelly were the main contributors with six points apiece.
Louth will reflect on excellent performances from Aaron Hoey, Colin Goss and Seamus O'Hanlon, in particular, that allowed them to see of the Monaghan challenge by 2-11 to 1-8. The final margin of victory flattered the winners somewhat and it wasn't until JP Rooney's goal 11 minutes from time that they put real daylight between the teams.
In the last of Saturday's eight All-Ireland football qualifiers, Wicklow experienced little difficulty in subduing the efforts of London at Aughrim, hammering the visitors by 2-22 to 2-6. Anthony Nolan made the most telling contribution on the scoreboard, amassing a personal tally of 1-8.
