IT'S ADAM FINE WAY TO STAY IN THE HUNT

DOWN engineered a match-winning score in the final minute of a pulsating tie to keep their hopes of staying in Division Two alive - much to the relief of manager Conor Laverty.

- BY PADDY TIERNEY

Sub Adam Crimmins (above) fisted a point in the final passage of a gripping encounter to give the Mourne a 1-26 to 0-28 win, with Westmeath returning to Division Three for 2026.

Down could yet join them in the third tier if they lose to Monaghan next weekend with the Farney in pole position to secure a return to Division One after beating Meath in Navan.

"I'm just very proud of them lads, the character they've shown at the start of the second half, we went down by three points, they came out of the blocks really quickly," said Laverty.

"Just to show that character and to dig in, I think that's the difference in this Down team at present.