Photo: @MayoGAA

It wasn’t to be for the county’s U21 hurlers in their All-Ireland B final against Meath at Semple Stadium this afternoon. They put up a brave fight against very strong opposition but had no answer when the young Royals turned up the heat in the final ten minutes. Meath, who’d lost the final to Wicklow twelve months ago, were convincing winners at the finish today, claiming the Richie McElligot Cup on a scoreline of 1-20 to 0-15.

Although the match was live on TG4, I wasn’t able – due to the usual Saturday commitments up here – to tune into it until the closing stages. I knew we’d conceded a goal early on but that we’d fought back to trail by just a point at the break.

No sooner had I switched on the box but Jason Coyne from Ballyhaunis put the sliothar over the bar from out on the right to level up the contest with ten minutes left to play. I’d no idea, having not seen any of the action up ’till then, if this was the start of the final push to glory but I obviously hoped that it was.

Sadly, this wasn’t the case. Meath pointed at the other end within seconds to go back in front and they then went on to add seven further points to their tally without reply before the final whistle sounded.  Our lads had battled hard but were forced to bow to superior firepower in the end. There’s no shame in that.

Colm Gannon’s match report for the Mayo Advertiser is here.

Commiserations to the lads on today’s result but well done to them on a fine championship campaign.