Meath 4-19 Down 2-15
Nicky Potterton runs like he’s mad at the grass.
In Meath they’ve been hearing about the little gem from Kildalkey for a long time. A whippersnapper corner forward, he’s the youngster with the gifted hands and the lightning feet.
On Saturday, they got a good look at their great white hope and it’s safe to say he didn’t disappoint.
Half-time of the Christy Ring cup final and the favourites Meath were in a spot of bother. Down had torn into them in the first half and come the interval the Royals were rather fortunate to be leading by a point. It would all change in the second half though and their 18-year-old weapon was the catalyst for the revival.
Nick Fitzgerald called on his lethal forward. Potterton responded with a game-altering goal within two minutes.
That fine finish from the youngster would put Meath four points up and they wouldn’t look back from there. Paul Sheehan, Jack Regan and the ever troublesome Adam Gannon kept piling on the pressure as Meath stretched their legs towards the finish line.
By the end of it, the margin was ten points and the win was comfortable but the injection of pace and energy that Potterton gave the Meath attack was the real game-changer. He ended his cameo with 1-1 from play.
Credit to TG4 Sport’s coverage of the game. Their Youtube stream and commentary made a great occasion out of the game.Nobody with their finger on the pulse in Meath hurling circles is surprised though. Still only 18 years of age, Potterton has been a Meath minor since he was old enough and he’s been talked about since then too.
His highlights on the club scene are special and his potential is frightening.
Look at the pace, skill and ball manipulation he brings to the fore.
Pace, awareness, team-play, balance and a lethal strike.
Nicky Potterton of @MeathGAA and @KildalkeyC is a rising star we're going to hear so much more of 🌟🌟pic.twitter.com/9oRFH7G1tH
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 20, 2019
He was far from alone. Adam Gannon hit two great goals for the Royals, the first a brilliant solo effort. Jack Regan’s ball-striking wouldn’t look out of place in the All-Ireland championship and Paul Sheehan is a brilliant centre forward.
Captain Sean Geraghty is taking her home for @MeathGAA
"We're a small community, but we're tight-knit and we'll see ye all later on"
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 22, 2019
With captain Sean Geraghty scaling the steps at the end of it and Meath heading for Joe McDonagh hurling next year, his talents will be seen on a wider scale and that can only be seen as a good thing for the hurling community.
Lory Meagher Cup final
Leitrim 2-23 Lancashire 2-22
Earlier on in the day, Leitrim held onto secure a dramatic Lory Meagher Cup final win over Lancashire.
Leitrim looked dead and buried when trailling by three points at the end of normal time, but a brilliant James Glancy goal sent the game to extra-time.
From there they’d kick on with the Iraq born Zak Moradi – who set up that priceless goal, Gavin O’Hagan and Colm Moreton scoring crucial late points.
Special congratulations to Zak Moradi, born in the hurling stronghold of Iraq, who won a Lory Meagher Cup with @LeitrimGAA today.
He came on as a sub and scored a late point 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/NQ8sCMLnV4
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 22, 2019
Patrick Duggan’s late goal was too little too late for an unlucky Lancashire team and it was Declan Molloy who scaled the steps for the men of Leitrim.
"It's taken us a long time to get here…so we're going to relax for a second now"
Captain Declan Molloy and the whole of @LeitrimGAA are going to soak this one in pic.twitter.com/IVF1us2R2r
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) June 22, 2019
