O'Rourke regrets replacing Doyle

Paddy O'Rouke brought on James Colgan for Liam Doyle

Down boss Paddy O'Rourke admitted he made a crucial error in substituting left-foot free-taker Liam Doyle as his side lost by a point to Donegal.

Daniel Hughes missed a late free to earn a replay and O'Rourke admitted the position would have suited Doyle.

"If Liam had been on the field he would have scored and that is something I have to live with," said O'Rourke.

"We all make mistakes and I made one in not keeping him on, but there is no point in beating yourself up about it."

Manager Brian McIver said Donegal's thrilling win was the perfect way to answer the critics.

"Donegal have taken a serious amount of stick in the media which has been undeserved," said McIver.

"But today Donegal got their reward by playing unbelievable football.

"It was the best game of Championship football I have seen for a long time and fair play to Down for that. There were no losers."