GAA managers love to remind us that results take a back seat in January, but after a New Year challenge defeat to Carlow IT and a hugely disappointing trip to Pairc Tailteann in the O'byrne Cup, Peter Fitzpatrick will have been somewhat relieved to record a weekend double over Down and Crossmaglen Rangers.

Victory over the former at Haggardstown on Saturday yielded an early piece of silverware as the Reds continued their dominance of the Jimmy Mcgeough Cup, with late points from midfield partners Ronan Carroll and Brian Donnelly edging what was a tight contest from start to finish.

But while the wins were welcome in terms of morale, Fitzpatrick was no doubt more concerned with getting a closer look at some of his new recruits and giving more valuable game time to his established troops.

A worrying injury to Paddy Keenan aside, it was a successful weekend in that regard.

Against a second-string Down, David Collier continued at full back, while Dundalk Gaels defender David Mccomish also got a chance to impress at left half back.

Up front Conor Rafferty took his chance with two excellent firsthalf points, while Barry O'hare replaced Derek Crilly after just 20 minutes.

Eoin O'connor may only have played the opening half at fullforward, but that was long enough to suggest he can fill the void created by an injury to Shane Lennon.

The Pat's sharp-shooter gave Adrian Branigan the runaround in the early stages, but should have done a lot better with a giltedged goal chance in the 10th minute, fumbling a JP Rooney centre with the goal at his mercy and then pulling his resulting shot into the side-netting.

Ronan Carroll also missed the target with a low drive across Peter Murphy's goal four minutes later as Louth let their visitors off the hook again.

In fact by the end of the first quarter, the Reds only had a Conor Rafferty point to show for their early dominance and that was eventually cancelled out by Paul Devlin who slotted over superbly on the turn.

By and large quality was in short supply all evening, and particualrly so in the first period, but another brilliant effort from Rafferty lifted the gloom to restore Louth's lead.

Down grew in confidence as the half progressed and Kevin Anderson and Timmy Hanna gave James Mccartan's side the lead with back-to-back points in the 28th minute.

With both sides due to play the following day it was decided to play a 60-minute game, but there was still time for David Reid to convert a free at the clubhouse end and bring a low-scoring opening half to a close.

That three minute spell when Down took the lead was the only time Louth were headed in the entire match, but they struggled to push on again in the second period when their opponents appeared to be there for the taking.

Fitzpatrick switched O'connor and Carroll, perhaps wanting to get a look at the former in a midfield role or the latter at full-forward with the Westmeath game in mind, but Carroll notched up two quick wides.

Adrian Reid did restore Louth's lead, but again that was all the home side had to show for a dominant spell at the start of the second period.

Once again it took Down 15 minutes to get off the mark as Kevin Anderson levelled matters again at 0-4 apiece. But again it was short-lived and Brian Donnelly put Louth back in front with a sweetly struck '45' two minutes later.

Half-time sub Neil Gallagher did well to deny Down a shot at goal moments later and while they did get back on level terms through Damien Turley, Donnelly hit back immediately with one of the scores of the night to make it 7-6 to the home side.

Turley converted a free to tie things up again and leave the small crowd fearful of extra-time, but Carroll and Donnelly must have read the mood and two points in the space of a minute finally broke Down's dogged resistence, despite a late consolation from Timmy Hanna.

- JOHN SAVAGE