Down seconds clinched promotion to Junior 3 last weekend.

A superb 1-0 win over Armagh seconds away from home secured one of the two promotion places up for grabs and a draw against Cookstown fifths on St. Patrick's Day would seen the locals go up as deserved champions.

Down have been in superb form all season and deserve to go up along with Bangor fifths. Last season, the seconds couldn't have bought a win away from home, but this year it has been an entirely different story for Down, regularly winning away from Malone Park.

Their win last Saturday avenged their only home defeat in the league this season which came against Armagh seconds and the man who scored the all-important goal was Gary Brown.

He was the toast of his team mates with a goal that takes the seconds back to Junior 3 after a gap of three seasons. And the players can't wait.

Down travelled with a relatively full strength team and dominated the game so much that goalkeeper, Stephen Moffatt, didn't have one save to make during the entire 70 minutes.

The visitors dominated the opening 15 minutes, forcing Armagh to defend in numbers, but they were powerless to stop Brown scoring what proved to be the only goal of the game. He found himself with just the 'keeper to beat, but his initial shot struck the base of the post before rebounding back to him.

Brown kept his composure to calmly steer the ball into the net to secure his side a place in Junior 3.

In the middle of the park, Down again relied on Colin Gibson, James Cunningham and Raymond McClurg, with the latter again in outstanding form.

Not a player who seeks the headlines, McClurg goes about his work in a quiet way, breaking up attacks and driving forward when he has to. One of the fittest men at the club, his work rate rubs off on those around him.

At the back for Down, Willie Price and Trevor McClurg never gave anything away as Armagh struggled to get a single telling shot in on goal.

The second period started with the players being lashed by a heavy downpour, but the home side failed to create any serious opportunities.

Midway through the half, Philip Brown, found himself with the 'keeper to beat and was unlucky not to double his side's advantage.

At the final whistle the Down players were able to celebrate, confident that promotion had been secured. They can now look forward to the trip to Cookstown with confidence, knowing the result doesn't matter.

Down can go and enjoy their final game of the season and play with the passion and commitment that has enabled them to secure a place in Junior 3.