There may have been no surprises in terms of the result when Galway secured their place in the All-Ireland Championship quarter-finals at a packed Pairc Esler, but Down certainly put it up to the Tribesmen and a couple of late goals added to the drama.
The crowd were certainly entertained and while there were mistakes at both ends and some terrific scores, Galway only hit one wide all match and, with the wind at their back in the first half, led by 10 points.
Down responded well in the second half but Padraic Joyce's men did enough to warrant their two-point victory in the end.
The home side had a couple of let-offs early on, letting their opponents inside with Dylan McHugh finding space but missing a close-range pointed effort and Robert Finnerty hitting the post.
But in the meantime, Paul Conroy was fouled for a free that Finnerty converted and Down replied with Miceal Rooney setting up John McGeough to level proceedings.
Odhran Murdock put the home side in front in the tenth minute for the first time following a well-worked team move that began at the back with a strong solo run by Danny Magill.
Finnerty responded with a point and Galway showed their ability to notch up quick scores with Cillian McDaid, Matthew Tierney getting their names on the score-sheet and Finnerty nailing a two-pointer to give the Tribesmen an 0-06 to 0-02 lead .
On 13 minutes however, a roar went up from the home crowd when McGeough, who also netted last time out, drilled low into the net from the right of goal and after Down keeper Ronan Burns pulled off a super save of Finnerty goal effort, Murdock squared the match at 1-03 to 0-06.
McDaid nudged Galway in front again but once more Burns was called into action bravely coming out to meet Cian Hernon as he bore down on goal and again made the save.
Things were about to change dramatically however, as the last 10 minutes of the half saw Galway record a massive 1-09 points to lead by 10 at the break.
Shane Walsh was hugely instrumental in the deluge, beginning with a powerful goal while Down defender Patrick MCarthy was on the ground at the other end with a head injury.
McCarthy was replaced temporarily by Eugene Brannigan who scored a point along with a brace from Danny Magill to narrow the deficit to a point 1-06 to 1-07, but on 27 minutes Walsh booted a two-pointer over the bar and Finnerty tagged on a point.
Murdock missed a shot at the other end under pressure but Walsh made no mistake with another point and a two-point free and Matthew Tompson did likewise before the hooter to see the tribesmen lead 1-16 to 1-06 at the break.
Down came out of the blocks on fire in the second half with two-pointers from Daniel Guinness and Miceal Rooney, a goal chance by Adam Crimmins saved and a free converted by Pat Havern within the first three minutes to narrow the margin to five. But replies from Matthew Thompson, Finnerty and Tierney kept the Tribesmen in the driving seat.
They held up play for a long spell with possession around the before Thompson saw his two-point effort sail over the bar, but Daniel Guinness replied in kind and Crimmins converted a free to make it 1-15 to 1-21.
Havern Magill and Brannigan missed the next three pointed attempts as the Down supporters were fired up and when sub Caolan Mooney scored the next two points the noise levels went up a level.
Galway responded once again with Walsh hitting another two-pointer . But just when it looked like the result was in the bag, Murdock hit a maximum to make it a three point game 2-19 to 1-24 with 64 minutes on the clock.
The Down cheers were soon replaced by Galway's however, as sub Tomo Culhane netted at the other end with three minutes left to play and Daniel O'Flaherty stretched their lead to six.
Still, there was no shaking Down as Ryan Magill scored a maximum minutes later to make it a three-point game 3-19 to 2-26 but when Céin D'Arcy pointed and the hooter blew moments later with Down in possession it was enough for Galway.
Ryan McEvoy scored a two-pointer with the last kick of the game but Galway were through, on a 3-21 to 2-26 scoreline.
Down: R Burns; P McCarthy, P Fegan, C Doherty (0-01); R Magill (1-00), P Laverty, M Rooney (0-02, 1tp); D Guinness (0-04,2tp), R McEvoy (0-02, 1tp); D Magill (0-02), O Murdock (1-02), A Crimmins (0-01, 01f); J Guinness (0-01), P Havern (0-02, 2f), J McGeough (1-01)
Subs: E Brannigan (0-01) Blood Sub McCarthy (21), Brannigan for McCarthy (h-t), C Mooney (0-02) for McGeough (52), O Savage for Doherty (57), C McCrickard for Crimmins (61), F Murdock for Rooney (65)
Galway: C Flaherty; J McGrath, S Fitzgerald, L Silke; D McHugh, S Kelly, C Hernon; P Conroy, J Maher; C D'Arcy (0-01), M Tierney (0-02), C McDaid (0-02); R Finnerty (0-06,01f. 1tp), S Walsh (1-07, 1tp, 2tpf)), M Thompson (0-05, 1tp)
Subs: P Cooke (0-01)for Conroy (47) D O'Flaherty (0-02) for Hernon (56), J Heaney for McDaid (60), T Culhane (1-00) for Walsh (62), McDaid for J Heaney (69)
Referee: Derek O'Mahoney (Tipperary)
