A goal in either half from Conor Donegan and Mark O'Sullivan helped Trinity beat Down in their Round 2 tie at Belfield yesterday evening.

In an even first-half in which the sides were level on no less than six occasions, the students struck the crucial opening goal in the 27th minute when Donegan slotted home.

Further points ensued from the excellent Kevin Fitzgerald, O'Sullivan and midfielder Colm Coughlan as the hosts enjoyed a 1-11 to 0-9 interval lead.

A John O'Kane point within a minute of the restart offered the visitors hope but two frees from Coughlan preceded Trinity's second goal in the 40th minute when O'Sullivan flicked over the on-rushing Damien Kearns.

Kevin McGarry tried in vain to retrieve Down's hopes but Coughlan continued to keep Trinity in front and they held out, with full-back Martin Phelan solid throughout.

SCORERS -- Trinity College: C Coughlan 0-8 (7f), M O'Sullivan 1-1, K Fitzgerald 0-3, C Donegan 1-0, B O'Rorke 0-2, C Gleeson 0-1. Down: K McGarry 0-10 (6f), C Migeean 0-2, D Toner, J O'Kane 0-1 each.

Trinity College -- M Doyle; M Harte, M Phelan, O Daly; P Breen, A Quilligan, J Kennedy; C Coughlan, A Hurley; B O'Rourke, K Fitzgerald, C Gleeson; C Donegan, E O'Gorman, M O'Sullivan. Subs: A Byrne for Gleeson and Pierce Ó Modha for Donegan (59).

Down -- D Kearns; M Hughes, C Teague, S Ennis; M Cunningham, C Woods, M Ennis; E Clarke, A Savage; C Migeean, K McGarry, J O'Kane; J Coyle, P O'Neill, D Toner. Subs: F Conway for Cunningham and P Sheehan for O'Kane (40), P Flynn for Savage (47), A Clarke for O'Neill (51), C Beattie for Toner (58).

Ref -- M O'Flaherty (Dublin)