At around 8pm last Saturday night, it looked as though Down’s Tailteann Cup campaign could be coming to a premature conclusion in Newry.
Now, after battling back to record an impressive eight-point win over Longford, the Mournemen are just one win away from the semi-finals and a first Championship appearance in Croke Park since their 2017 Qualifier loss to Monaghan.
Cavan stand in their way in Saturday's quarter-final clash at Kingspan Breffni in what is a repeat of last season’s Tailteann Cup first round tie, which the Breffnimen won.
Read more: GAAGO to stream two Tailteann Cup quarter-finals as fixture details are confirmed
Full-forward Pat Havern hit 0-6, including four from play, to help get Down over the line against Longford.
Speaking prior to Monday morning’s quarter-final draw, Havern made no secret of his desire to line out with his county colleagues at Croke Park.
“I’ve never played at Croke Park - I’d like to get there,” stated Havern.
“We are on a journey and people maybe thought at the start of the year expectations were high with a good start in the McKenna Cup.
“You have to give it time, the management are doing good and they are training us well.
“It is just about getting it together. Maybe next year we’ll push on, but hopefully we can go and win this Tailteann Cup.
“Everyone is on a par with each other. Meath have good footballers. Cavan are probably at the top. . . you wouldn’t fear anybody. Whoever we get, we’ll be ready for them.”
The Saval attacker revealed that Conor Laverty’s half-time message was simply to get back to basics and trust in their own ability after their wastefulness from the Meath game lingered into the early stages of Saturday’s preliminary quarter-final.
Longford spurned three goal chances after Joe Hagan netted following an error from Niall Kane.
Odhran Murdock also had his penalty saved by Longford goalkeeper Patrick Collum before half-time, but Down pulled clear in a dominant second half display.
“We got opened up a few times, fair play to Longford, they had some strong runners coming through in the first half,” said Havern.
“Any other day, they might have taken those chances and buried the goals to put us away.
“We had a few words at half-time, we knew we were better than that. The message was ‘this is not the last time we want to meet up’ - it is the knockout stage, it is Championship football now.
"We probably went into the game thinking if we win and then win the next game, we are into Croke Park. Maybe we were thinking too far ahead of ourselves.
“Longford are a good side and we knew it would be tough.”
When Darren Gallagher kicked a stunning sideline over bar at the start of the second half, Havern did wonder if Lady Luck was smiling on the Longford players.
He added: “It was some point! The thought comes into your head and maybe you think their luck is in?
“I knew once we started picking off our points it would come for us. When we were missing chances in the first half it was like Meath all over again.
"We’re good footballers and we’ve good scorers so it is just about getting them on the ball. Rory Mason came on and he kicked a couple of great scores, Danny Magill scored the goal - great footballers and fast players.
“Ross (Carr) gets stuck into anything - he’d put his head where you wouldn’t put your foot.”
“I remember putting my fourth or fifth shot wide against Meath. . . a few of us had some poor wides. We are not usually like that - we hit 17 wides. We are usually very clinical. I think we were frustrated after that game."
READ NEXT:
Belfast stag evades Croke Park security and poses for photo with Kilkenny star TJ Reid
Recap as Down seal Tailteann Cup quarter-final berth with comeback win over Longford
- Armagh-Galway tickets to be sold online after Croke Park switch call is rejected
“You can't buy experience in the shop” - Andy McEntee opens up on Antrim’s mid-season revival
Rory Gallagher departure won't define our season insists Derry star Shane McGuigan
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
