John Clarke (right) had another good game in Down's attack

The energetic Mourne side led 0-6 to 0-1 at the break with Paddy Bradley's 25th-minute free, Derry's only score in their dismal first-half display.

But Down looked impressive and they led 0-10 to 0-3 after 49 minutes when Paddy Bradley pulled a goal back for Derry.

But the lively Danny Hughes responded with his third score and Conor Gribben's goal round off Down's win.

Down didn't register their first score until Hughes' eighth-minute opener but their flowing movement was already causing problems for the slack Derry defence.

Ronan Sexton, John Clarke, Hughes and Kevin McKernan tagged on points to leave Down five ahead after 21 minutes before Bradley finally opened Derry's account four minutes later.

Kevin McKernan then had a goal chance for Down but Derry goalkeeper John Deighan made a brave block to avert the danger.

After leading 0-6 to 0-1 at half-time, John Clarke struck an immediate Mourne score after the restart and Down continued to boss the game as they extended their advantage to 0-10 to 0-3 after 46 minutes.

Paddy Bradley's well-taken goal, after a rare moment of slackness in the Down defence, cut the margin to only four points but, in truth, a Derry comeback never looked on.

In fact, Deighan had to make another great save to prevent Ronan Sexton replying with an immediate Down goal.

The contest was over when Hughes and Sexton struck the next two scores of the match just before the hour-mark.

Conor Gribben's flicked goal on 64 minutes after a high ball from Packie Downey then put some deserved gloss on the Down display.

With the game in the bag, Derry sub Eoin Bradley hit the two final scores of the game but it was not a night for Oak Leaf fans to remember.