Down have secured promotion to Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League with a game to spare after a two-point win over Kerry at Austin Stack Park.
Ronan Sheehan's side came strong at the death to make it five wins from five, with late points from Paul Sheehan and Dónal Hughes heaving them over the line by two points against a dogged Kingdom outfit.
The hosts, who have had a mixed campaign, with wins over Meath and Derry undermined by a shock loss away to Donegal, held a two-point lead - 0-15 to 0-13 - at the break but were hit with a blow in the shape of Séamie Foran's sending off on a second yellow early in the second half.
Down drew level within minutes of the restart and the two sides went tit for tat until Oisín Maunsell's 50th minute goal seemed to have Kerry the leg-up in sight of the finish line.
However, the league leaders were finding their range easier, with Tom McGrattan notching 0-11 in total - three from play - and Pearse Óg McCrickard landing 0-05 from play.
With 14 minutes remaining, Kerry still had their nose in front but Down finished the stronger against the 14 men, McCrickard and Sheehan landing two points apiece in the closing stages, with Hughes and Ronan Beatty also landing points in the driving finish.
"We're delighted with the win," Down boss Sheehan told RTÉ Sport afterwards.
"This group of players have been together since 2019 and we had 80% of the same lads on the field today that we had in the Christy Ring final that day.
"Down hurling means an awful lot to us. We're a small hurling community but we're a very proud one."
Down forward Eoghan Sands added: "This day is massive for us.
"It's been a long time since Down played Division 1. Over 15 years ago.
"To bring those teams to Ballycran, for youngsters to come and see that, is going to galvanise us again."
Down hurling manager Ronan Sheehan and forward Eoghan Sands reflect on what winning promotion to Division 1B means to the Mourne men 📺 Watch Allianz League Sunday on @RTE2 and @RTEPlayer #AllianzLeagues #GAA #Hurling pic.twitter.com/xm902p1Ygv
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) March 9, 2025
In Division 3, Mayo copper-fastened their hold on second place with a comfortable nine-point win over relegation threatened Armagh in the Athletic Grounds.
An early goal from Joe Burke gave Mayo an early advantage before Armagh rallied in the second quarter, Joe O'Connor finding the net to reduce it to a one-point deficit at the break.
Mayo pushed on from there, with Cormac Phillips and the top scoring Shane Boland buried goals in the dying moments as the Connacht side ran out 3-21 to 1-18 winners in the finish.
The Green and Red will join London in the final if they can avoid defeat to Wicklow in a fortnight's time.
