Mark Jackson finally finds his range, converting a 45 to register his first score of the afternoon for Wicklow.

Down respond in devastating fashion. Odhran Murdock's clever short delivery into the square catches the Wicklow defence out and John McGeough is on hand to palm the ball to the net, restoring the Mourne men's 12-point advantage.

Image source, Getty Images

Faith Harper
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

Ronan Burns take a bow!

Two phenomenal saves in a row. Stops the penalty and the rebound, looks right at home in Croke Park.

A huge moment at Croke Park!

A push by Daniel Guinness on Padraig O'Toole gives Wicklow a lifeline as the referee points to the spot. The Garden County have the chance to claw their way back into the contest.

But Ronan Burns dives brilliantly to his right to keep out Eoin Darcy's penalty before showing incredible reactions to deny the rebound.

Kevin Quinn shrugs off the challenge of Pierce Laverty before bursting into the square and getting a shot away, but Ronan Burns is equal to it, making a save which parries it over the crossbar for only a point.

It's another chance that goes begging for the Garden County.

Image source, Inpho

Down break at pace again from Ronan Burns' kick-out.

Odhran Murdock gathers brilliantly before laying the ball off to Ceilum Doherty, who makes no mistake from the right to extend the Mourne men's lead.

Kevin Quinn finally gets Wicklow moving again. He turns smartly away from his marker before splitting the posts to register both his first score and the Garden County's second of the afternoon.

It's Wicklow's first score in nine minutes. 21 minutes played at Croke Park.

Oisín McGraynor is shown a yellow card for a foul on Daniel Guinness, handing Down another scoring opportunity from almost 50 metres on the left-hand side.

Ronan Burns makes no mistake.

The Down goalkeeper produces another superbly struck free to maintain his perfect record from placed balls and stretch the Mourne men's lead to 11 points.

It has been a bright start to the match from Down, who are dominating proceedings so far at Croke Park.

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Image source, Inpho

Mark Jackson's difficult match continues as another free drifts wide of the posts.

Wicklow are still searching for just their second score with 19 minutes played.

Another chance goes begging for Wicklow as Mark Jackson pulls a free wide of the posts, his second miss of the afternoon.

Down then come close to extending their lead, but Odhran Murdock's effort is confirmed wide after a Hawk-Eye review, bringing some relief for Oisín McConville's side.

Wicklow are caught out by a lightning-quick kick-out from Ronan Burns while Mark Jackson is still making his way back towards goal.

Daniel Guinness delivers a dangerous ball into the square and Pat Havern arrives to palm home Down's first goal.

It's a calamitous opening 15 minutes for the Garden County as the Mourne men tighten their grip on the final.

Wicklow have the chance to respond as goalkeeper Mark Jackson steps up to take a 45, but his effort drifts to the right of the posts for the Garden County's first wide of the afternoon.

Another opportunity goes begging.

Faith Harper
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

It has been a slow enough start from Wicklow, who have just got their first point on the board.

There’s a spectator on the hill who has been roaring “wake up Wicklow” for the past five minutes.

I’m guessing he’s going to be like Harry Kane after England’s World Cup match against Mexico - no voice!

Wicklow are punished for dissent as the free is advanced. Ronan Burns takes full advantage, splitting the posts from close to 50 metres with an excellent two-point effort to leave Down six clear after 13 minutes.

Padraig O'Toole and Tom Carolan both scramble to get the ball under control inside the Down final third, but as O'Toole swings a boot at the loose ball, Ryan McEvoy gathers possession.

However, Wicklow are awarded a free for a shirt pull in the build-up, and Padraig O'Toole makes no mistake from close range to get the Garden County off the mark.

Eamon Brown's effort drifts wide of the posts for Down's first wide of the afternoon.

The Mourne men continue to dominate possession and Miceal Rooney is next to try his luck, but his effort also sails wide as Down register successive wides.

Kevin Quinn does well to win back possession deep inside the Down half, but Wicklow's first effort of the afternoon drops short into the hands of Ronan Burns, who quickly launches a counter-attack.

Down make them pay.

Breaking down the right, Miceal Rooney lets fly from distance and, with the aid of the breeze, lands the first two-pointer of the final after eight minutes.

Down are beginning to find their rhythm. Odhran Murdock and Ruairi McCormack combine neatly before Daniel Guinness finishes the move with his first point of the afternoon to stretch their lead.

Wicklow's frustrations continue moments later as Dean Healy is shown a yellow card for a high challenge on Miceal Rooney.

The Garden County are struggling to settle in the opening exchanges.

Another Wicklow mistake proves costly as Gavin Fogarty can't gather a pass.

Ceilum Doherty is quickest to react and makes no mistake, extending Down's lead to two points after four minutes.

Down are awarded a quick free after Wicklow are penalised for picking the ball off the ground.

The Mourne men break at pace and Pat Havern blazes over the bar at the end of the move after passing up a potential goalscoring opportunity.

It's the opening score of the afternoon.