Sligo’s run in this year’s All-Ireland minor football championship came to an end in Saturday’s semi-final at Kingspan Breffni when they went down to Leinster champions Meath on a final scoreline 2-14 to 2-9.
The Royal County were deserved winners on a day when little went right for Sligo but – to their credit – they battled gamely throughout and a superb goal from second-half substitute Jack McGovern gave them hope in the final quarter – only for Meath to respond moments later with a goal at the other end to seal the win.
The platform for Meath’s victory was laid in the first half as they established a 1-11 to 1-4 interval lead.
Brian Duffy’s well-taken penalty for Sligo in the was one of the few first-half highlights for the Connacht champions as they seemed to struggle with Meath’s pressing game around the kickouts.
However, the Sligo heads never dropped and they kept going throughout.
Meath were reduced to 14 players early in the second-half but this setback didn’t really hamper their overall flow.
The Royals now face Ulster champions Tyrone in the All-Ireland final after the Red Hand minors overpowered Cork by 0-23 to 1-6 in Saturday’s second semi-final in Tullamore.
All-Ireland minor football semi-final results
Meath 2-14 Sligo 2-9
Tyrone 0-23 Cork 1-6.
