Derry can have no complaints over Meath defeat admits Ciaran Meenagh

The 1-20 to 1-24 loss was Derry's third successive championship defeat of 2026 after The Royals’ dominance of both kick-outs provided the platform for a deserved victory, their second over Derry this season after victory in Croke Park in the league opener.

"Disappointing," admitted the Derry manager afterwards, "We didn’t deserve to win, so we can have no complaints. We put a huge amount of effort into trying to get a lift for a performance. It was very difficult after the Monaghan game. We didn't (get it) for the Armagh game and it was the same tonight. Ultimately we weren’t good enough, so that’s the season to a close now.

"When you're chasing a game for a lot of it, and you don't have the ball for a lot of it, it’s energy sapping and Meath, you had that feeling that they were the better side. As the game wore on, they started to get their scores easier. They had a conversion rate of over 80 per cent in the second half there as well so that was a big thing.

"Again, the breeze died a bit second half compared to what it was first half but look, all in all, those are miniscule things and we can have no complaints."

Meenagh singled out the demoralising Ulster semi-final defeat against Monaghan as having taken a mental toll on a Derry squad who never quite recovered completely after losing a game they twice looked to have won.

"You're never quite sure. I'd say the damage following the Monaghan result was probably more difficult but we tried and we stuck together," he explained, "The players were loyal right through but ultimately we weren't good enough. That's the way it goes.

"We said at half-time if we had any return on the ball at all on both sets of kick-outs, we were scoring fairly easily. We said that at half-time but it didn't change. Meath still dominated primary possession When you’ve taken over half the opposition's possession and you're winning over 80 per cent of your own, well that leaves the opposition in a difficult position to try and win the game."

The full debut of All Ireland winning minor captain James Sargent was one bright spot on an otherwise forgettable evening and Meenagh was full of praise for the Lavey teenager.

"James is a special talent. He’s just turned 19 years of age and come back from an ACL injury. He was a positive; himself and some of the younger players were particularly good in terms of the battling qualities but James brought that touch of quality then as well. A good debut for him but one he won't remember for the right reasons.

"Not really because of the way he has been training,” he added when asked if it was a tough call to start Sargent, "That's what you’re trying to base everything off. There’s not an awful lot between a lot of players and there were some players we didn't use off the bench who probably feel unlucky. No, it was a good debut for James, that was one positive for him.”