The Downs, Kilanerin-Ballyfad and Cuala all dig deep to advance in Leinster club SFC

Cuala's Michael Fitzsimons with Cormac Egan of Tullamore ©INPHO/Ben Brady

The Downs (Westmeath), Kilanerin-Ballyfad (Wexford) and Cuala (Dublin) all booked their places into the quarter-finals of Leinster club senior football championship following first-round victories this afternoon.

The Downs survived a strong challenge from Longford champions Clonguish at TEG Cusack Park to win out by 2-17 to 1-18 in the end.

Niall Mitchell's first-half goal helped the Westmeath champions establish a platform, as they led 1-10 to 0-10 at the interval.

Clonguish battled back in the second-half, with James Hagan netting their goal in the 44th minute, but The Downs would do just enough to hold off the visitors with Luke Loughlin’s two-pointer and a fisted point from sub Kevin O’Sullivan down the home stretch helping to secure them victory.

Dermot Power’s men now face Kilanerin-Ballyfad in the quarter-finals after the latter edged Newtown Blues (Louth) by 0-17 to 1-13 at Chadwicks Wexford Park, with Sean Forde landing a decisive free three minutes into added time.

The Wexford champions recovered from an early Ross Nally goal to lead 0-11 to 1-5 at half-time, with Dean O'Toole contributing several important scores and Niall Hughes landing two two-pointers.

The Blues fought back after the restart, with Conor Branigan and Ciaran Downey raising orange flags before skipper Downey levelled the contest at 1-13 to 0-16 in added time.

However, Kilanerin had the final say with Forde converted the winning free to seal a thrilling victory and progression to the last eight in the eastern province.

In Parnell Park, Cuala were forced to dig deep at Parnell Park before eventually seeing off a spirited Tullamore challenge by 0-16 to 1-11.

The Offaly champions led 1-4 to 0-6 at half-time, with Luke Plunkett finding the net in the 28th minute to give his side a deserved advantage.

Harry Plunkett continued to lead the Tullamore charge, finishing with an outstanding 0-10, including two two-pointers. He levelled matters at 1-11 to 0-14 in the 58th minute, but Dublin star Con O'Callaghan settled the contest for Cuala with a superb two-pointer in injury-time.

The Dalkey men now march on to the quarter-finals where they’ll face newly crowned Kildare champions Sarsfields who defeated Maynooth by four points this afternoon.