I've never been to Ballycran until today!
Meath made a brave bid for a place in the backwaters final of NHL Div 2B but they were edged out by Down at Ballycran today when the hosts won by 2-8 to 0-11 (see video and photos of Ballycran and the exciting journey today).
Meath needed to win to have any chance of a place in the decider, but as Wicklow won by big margin a win wouldn't have dome any good for the Royal County.
Apparently, at this level of the game (the fourth tier) quarter-finals or even semi-finals aren't necessary.
But then it's not as bad as the poor teams in Div 3B who get to play three league games for the year - could the top hurling experts name the four teams in NHL Div 3B????
RANT OVER
Today at Ballycran Meath trailed by 0-6 to 2-5 at the interval and the concession of those two goals ultimately proved costly as Down survived a stern second-half test from the Royal troops.
Meath will now focus on the Christy Ring Cup - a competition that will be over before the serious business of the real hurling championship starts (another rant).
Meath – Charlie Bird; David Donoghue, Shane Brennan, Sean Heavey; Shane Whitty, James Toher, Peter Farrell; Michael Burke (0-1), Stephen Morris; Damien Healy, Jack Regan (0-1 free), Ciaran Fitzsimons (0-2); Willie McGrath (0-3), Derek Doran (0-1), Adam Gannon. Subs - Steven Clynch (0-3 two frees) for Regan 27 mins, Gary Kelly for Burke 58m, Sean Geraghty for Healy 67m.
NHL Div 2B RESULTS
Down 2-8, Meath 0-11
Wicklow 3-32, Fingal 2-8.
Mayo 1-19, Armagh 1-11.
WHAT IT MEANS
DIV 2B
Final – Down v Wicklow
Relegation Play-Off – Fingal v Armagh
Relegation/Promotion Final – 13.04.2014
Relegation Play-Off Loser v DIV 3A Winner
DIV 3A
Final - Roscommon v Donegal
Longford – Relegated to 3B
DIV 3B
Final – Tyrone v Leitrim
DIV 2A
Final – Kerry v Carlow
Kildare – Relegated to Div 2B
AND THE IMPORTANT HURLING
(for the teams that need more games because it improves the quality)
DIV 1A
Quarter Finals - 30.03.2014
A. Clare v Laois (Toss for home venue*)
B. Wexford v Kilkenny (Wexford venue*)
C. Galway v Limerick (Toss for home venue*)
D. Tipperary v Cork (Toss for home venue*)
Semi Finals – 20.04.2014
A v D
B v C
Final – 04.05.2014
Relegation Play-Off – 30.03.2104 - Dublin v Waterford (Toss for home venue*)
(Another rant of sorts - Dublin don't like to toss for venue - do they????)
DIV 1B
Promoted to Div 1A- Cork
Relegation Play-Off – 30.03.2104 - Antrim v Offaly (Antrim Venue*)
Relegation/Promotion Final – 13.04.2014
Relegation Play-Off Loser v Div 2A Winner
Conall Collier