Down skipper James Colgan hoists the Tommy Markham Cup

The beaten Ulster finalists dominated the game and by half-time enjoyed a massive 0-11 to 0-03 lead.

A goal early in the second half, when Mayo keeper Shane Nallen palmed in a fisted ball from Paul McCumiskey, emphasised Down's superiority.

Dundrum's McCumiskey added three points to his goal with Longstone clubman Ryan Kelly landing five points.

Down's triumph repeated the win of the 1999 team when the teams last met in the final.

Mark Turley's boys went into the match as favourites and they certainly justified that.

Mayo might have scored first, through an Aidan Campbell free within seconds of the throw-in, but Down hit back to go 0-03 to 0-01 ahead with a string of attacks bringing quick points from Kevin Duffin, McCumiskey and Kelly.

Further frees from Martin Clarke and Ryan Kelly (3), plus points from play by Peter Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Brannigan and McCumiskey steered down to an eight-point interval advantage.

Mayo breifly hinted at a revival with the first two points after the break, through Campbell and Chris Barrett, but the 35th-minute goal was the decisive blow.

McCumiskey's teasing effort from an acute angle had keeper Nallen in trouble and he could only manage to palm the ball into the net.

Nallen collided with his far post and had to go off with a head injury, sub keeper Kieran Barnicle replacing him.

Kelly, Declan Lavery, Clarke and substitute Colm Clerkin added points to give Down a winning margin of 10 points.

Down: M McAllister; G Magee, C Garvey, H Magee, G McCartan, E McConville, K Duffin; J Colgan, P Fitzpatrick; D Lavery, M Clarke, S Grant; C Brannigan, R Kelly, P McCumiskey.

Mayo: S Nallen; P Healy, G Cafferney, J Burke; C Barrett, T Cunniff, D Hughes; P Collins, P Hanley; A Campbell (cpt), D O'Connor, P O'Connor; R O'Boyle, D Kilcullen. M Sweeney.