Down 0-14 Tipperary 1-11

Barry Grogan pointed an injury-time free as Tipperary gained a deserved draw with Division 2 pacesetters Down in Newry.

Martin Clarke and Paul McComiskey helped Down build a 0-07 to 0-02 lead but Tipp were 1-06 to 0-08 ahead at half-time, with their goal coming from a long-range Grogan free which was flicked past goalkeeper Brendan McVeigh.

Christopher Aylward and Conor Sweeney kept Tipp on track and while Down moved three points clear, the visitors kept their cool to earn a late draw.

These sides met in last year's Allianz NFL Division 3 final which Tipperary won on an 0-18 to 1-14 scoreline. Down, who have been going well this year under new manager James McCartan, were clearly out for revenge as they moved into an early five-point lead.

Dominating possession and territory, the Mourne men forced the issue as the Clarke brothers, Martin and John, Conor Laverty, Conor Maginn and Paul McComiskey split the posts for a 0-07 to 0-02 advantage by the 20-minute mark.

Ambrose Rodgers was a key figure for Down as he set up attack after attack, and Tipp's only responses came from the boot of Conor Sweeney.

But John Evans' Tipp charges are made of stern stuff and they put themselves right back in the hunt, with Seamus Grogan and George Hannigan getting a grip on the midfield sector.

They hit four points in-a-row through Grogan, the hard-working Aylward, influential centre-forward Philip Austin and Sweeney.

And while Laverty stemmed the tide with an eighth Down point, the Premier County side were celebrating a goal just a minute before half-time.

Grogan dangled a dangerous ball in towards the square and with the Down defence failing to clear, Brian Mulvihill knocked the ball goalward and McVeigh and full-back Brendan McArdle could not keep it out.

A second point from Aylward saw Tipp begin the second half in fine fettle, increasing their lead to 1-07 to 0-08,

McCartan had introduced a couple of substitutes at this stage and the fresh legs helped set up scores for Martin Clarke, who top-scored with 0-05, and McComiskey.

Tipp were still getting on top at stages, with Seamus Grogan hoovering up plenty of ball, but Benny Coulter grew in influence and Down managed to break free of the visitors just past the hour mark, with the Clarke brothers adding points.

Indeed, a volleyed effort from former Aussie Rules player Martin Clarke almost found the Tipp net, fizzing over instead as it clipped the crossbar.

At 0-14 to 1-08 in arrears, Tipp needed to show composure and back themselves to mount a comeback, which they did in brilliant fashion.

They closed out the game and earned a share of the spoils by converting three late placed balls, as corner forwards Sweeney (0-05, 0-04f) and Grogan (0-03, 0-03f) punished a lacklustre Down.

Grogan's leveller was a peach of a score, as he lofted the ball over off the ground from 39 metres out.