After last night’s abandoned contest at McHale Park, attention switched to Gaelic football’s biggest stage this afternoon when Davitts took the field at Croke Park to contest the Intermediate All-Ireland club football final with Kerry’s Milltown-Castlemaine. It’s been a fairytale run for the South Mayo lads to get this far but sadly the fairytale came to an end today as they were beaten decisively enough by the Kerry lads, losing out eventually on a 1-13 to 1-6 scoreline.

I wasn’t in Croke Park today but there were plenty there from the Irishtown/Ballindine area as this photo from @p_cunnane confirms. I did, though, catch a fair bit of the match commentary on Midwest as we made our way back towards the capital this afternoon and it was obvious from what Mike and Billy had to say that Davitts were on the back foot right right from the throw-in.

The Kerry lads had their homework done (as Kerry teams are wont to do facing into All-Ireland finals) and Davitts’ main men, in particular captain Michael Conroy and Colm Boyle, found themselves targeted and unable to exert the same kind of influence on proceedings as they’d been able to have in the run to the final. Down by four points at the break, Davitts never looked like getting back on terms in the second half and Milltown-Castlemaine eventually eased home with seven points to spare.

It’s hard luck on Davitts but today’s disappointing ending to the campaign doesn’t negate in any sense the lads’ significant achievements over the past year. Winning today would have been, needless to say, the perfect ending but it wasn’t to be and that’s just the way it goes … especially when there are Kerry lads, the hoors, in the other camp on All-Ireland final day.

Liam Horan’s post-match audio report from Croke Park is here.

PS Well done to Galway’s Clonbur for capturing the All-Ireland junior title at Croke Park today. As they were out on the pitch still celebrating their win, the Clonbur lads took the time to clap the Davitts team out onto the field. A classy gesture from the newly-crowned All-Ireland junior champions.