Down v Leitrim Live: Updates from Páirc Esler as the Mournemen begin their Tailteann Cup campaign
Down took on Leitrim in their opening Tailteann Cup fixture today as they look to claim their second such title.The Mournemen narrowly missed out on the All-Ireland series after falling to Armagh in their Ulster SFC semi-final.After a famous win in Letterkenny against Ulster champions Donegal, Down came up against the 2024 All-Ireland champions at Clones, where Kieran McGeeney’s side blitzed the 2024 Tailteann Cup champions, scoring 3-33 in the process to end Down’s provincial push.The last time these two sides met was in 2014 in the All-Ireland qualifiers in Newry, when now-Down manager Conor Laverty was the top scorer that day, kicking 2-04 as the Mournemen came out on top 4-18 to 0-09.Leitrim struggled massively during the National Football League season, but Down native Steven Poacher led them to a win against Sligo in the preliminary round of the Connacht SFC before losing to Galway by five points.The Mournemen will take on Mickey Harte’s Offaly at Tullamore Park in round two of the tournament next weekend, with Stephen Poacher’s side playing host to Carlow on the same weekend.
