Heartbreaking defeat for gutsy Mayo team in Nicky Rackard Cup final

Mayo suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the Nicky Rackard Cup final as Donegal came with a late rally to win by 3-17 to 0-22 in Croke Park.

Having hurled magnificently for long periods, Mayo were six points to the good at one stage but Donegal's three second-half goals swung the game in their favour.

The Ulster team had closed the gap to five before Ruairi Campbell scored their first goal on 45 minutes, leaving them behind by just two (1-10 to 0-15).

Mayo, who led by 0-12 to 0-8 at the break, responded magnificently to this setback with points from Liam Lavin and Shane Boland (two), re-establishing their five-point lead, but Donegal were gearing up for a mammoth final push.

With 10 minutes to go the deficit was down to three points (1-15 to 0-21) but the game was turned on its head in the closing stages as Donegal scored 2-2 to just 0-1 in reply, substitute Josh Cronnelly McGee scoring both of the goals while Campbell and Stephen Gillespie added points, Mayo's only response being a free from Boland.

Boland, Lavin, John Heraty, David Kenny and goalkeeper Bobby Douglas were all prominent for Mayo, who suffered a very similar reversal four years ago, when Donegal won that's year's Nicky Rackard Cup final by 3-18 to 0-21, similarly coming with late goals to seal the deal.

A year later, Mayo were crowned champions with a comprehensive victory over Tyrone. It will be of little solace to the players now, but there's no reason why they can't repeat that in next year's championship.

*See Tuesday's print edition for a full match report