Just three days after defeating Armagh in the Ulster final, Pete McGrath's Down qualified for the Cadbury All-Ireland under 21 football final with a three-point victory over Mayo at Pearse Park in Longford. Down.1-15 Mayo..2-9 The Mournemen looked to be taking control when they led 0-11 to 0-6 coming up to half-time, but then Neil Douglas pounced for a goal to leave the Connacht champions just two points adrift at the interval. But a fisted goal from Paul Delvin, who connected brilliantly with Joe Murphy's clearance from defence, put Down back in the driving seat for a 1-12 to 1-7 lead early in the second half. However, Mayo hit back five minutes later when Mikey Sweeney netted after Tom Parsons and Douglas were involved in the build-up. The Ulster champions had centre back John Fitzpatrick sent off on a second yellow card, but they held on for victory with senior star Paul McComiskey's late free sealing their place in the final against Cork. Scorers - Down: P Devlin 1-3 (2f), P McComiskey 0-4 (1f), J O'Reilly 0-3, J Murphy, T Hanna, P Fitzpatrick, C Maginn, C Poland 0-1 each. Mayo: M Sweeney 1-1, N Douglas 1-0, A O'Shea 0-3, K McLoughlin 0-2 (2f), J Doherty (1f), C Carolan, R Hennelly (1 '45') 0-1 each Down: G Joyce; N Higgins, C Murney, J Murray, M Digney, J Fitzpatrick, T Hanna; M Magee, P Fitzpatrick; C Maginn, C Magee, J O'Reilly; P Devlin, P McComiskey, C Poland. Subs: E Toner for Magee (40), D Turley for Higgins (47), B O'Reilly for Toner (54) Mayo: R Hennelly; E O'Reilly, K Keane, J Broderick; D Vaughan, L Keegan, K McLoughlin; T Parsons, A O'Shea; C Carolan, F Burke, B Gallagher; M Sweeney, N Douglas, J Doherty. Subs: S Prendergast for Broderick (25), N Prenty for Gallagher (36), A Freeman for Carolan (51). Referee: D Fahy (Longford). Tweet

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