Goal-hungry Dubs romp to victory over Down

Dublin romped to a 6-32 to 0-18 victory over Down at Parnell Park in Division 1B of the Nation Hurling League to deepen the Ulster side's relegation concerns.

The result leaves Down hoping for a Kildare victory over Carlow on Sunday to leave them with a chance of survival on the final day, but this 32-point loss to promotion-chasing Dublin has put a real dent in those hopes with a vastly inferior scoring difference.

John Hetherton hit two goals for the victors, with Dara Purcell, Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing, Fergal Whitely and Paddy Dunleavy also finding the net for Ó Ceallacháin's side that had 12 different scorers overall.

Down were competitive for long stages of the first half with Tim Prenter, Paul Sheehan and Finn Turpin all on target, but the first of Hetherton's goal in the ninth minute helped the Dubs into a 1-13 to 0-10 lead approaching the half.

They would extend that gap by the interval as Hetherton was picked out by Fergal Whitely for his second goal, while the full-forward then turned provider for Ó Dúlaing whose applied the finish with Dublin 3-15 to 0-11 up at the break.

There was no looking back in the second period as they powered on with Purcell netting his side's fourth goal five minutes after the restart and fifth followed soon after through Duleavy who was played in by Hetherton.

The scores were flowing for the hosts with Donal Burke, Darragh Power and Purcell on song, while a sixth goal arrived late on through Whitely.

In Division Three, Tyrone powered to a 3-22 to 0-11 win over Armagh.

Turlough Mullin, Kiefer Morgan and Aidan Kelly all found the net for Stephen McGarry's side who finish their campaign on a high.

Cavan fell to a 8-19 to 0-12 defeat by Sligo in Division Four.