Under-21 Football All-Ireland Final/Galway 6-5 Down 4-6: Galway's rediscovery of the Stockwell-Purcell era rests in the safe and capable hands of Mícheál Meehan and Seán Armstrong. The latest re-enactment of "Terrible Twins" flair saw off Down's brave challenge in a goal-packed roller-coaster All-Ireland under-21 football final in Mullingar on Saturday.
The Galway duo's contribution was huge and economics student Meehan, who is currently sitting exams, was voted man of the match. He shared six goals and three points with Armstrong in a stunning display of incisive scoring power.
The prolific Galway pair earned the plaudits of all, including Down manager Paddy O'Rourke who said: "They are classy forwards and I am certain we will see those two lads continue to rack up big tallies in senior competition. We had planned to keep the ball away from them but the big fella in the middle of the field (Barry Cullinane) clearly spoiled that plan."
The two Galway goal poachers will be given the chance to perform their talents in the senior championship away to New York next Sunday.
"I have an exam on Thursday," said Meehan, "and will fly out with the team on Friday.We have been scoring well throughout the championship but I'm delighted we managed to maintain our form in the final."
Meehan scored his opening goal after just 15 seconds. Team captain Alan Burke's incredible 70-yard solo run from his corner-back position before off-loading to Armstrong for goal number three looked a unique feat.
Meehan's two goals within the first eight minutes meant that Down were chasing the game from an early stage but O'Rourke felt it should not have been that way. "We have a number of excellent free-takers who were off colour and we missed a penalty chance in the second half," he said.
Playing with the wind in the first half, Down recovered well to level the match with goals from Conor Laverty and Niall McArdle by the 28th minute.
Galway led by 3-3 to 2-3 at half-time and although Down had more than their share of possession against the wind in the second half they tended to dilly-dally with short passing and moves came unstuck against Galway's staunch defending.
Galway midfielders Gary Cullinane and Niall Coleman got great support with defenders Burke, Niall Coyne and Gary Sice and their manager Peter Ford was delighted that his side had attained full potential and 100 per cent commitment. He quipped with a smile: "Ten goals, you wouldn't see it in a soccer match."
GALWAY: M Killilea; A Burke, F Hanley, M Flannery; D Mullahy, N Coyne, G Sice; N Coleman, B Cullinane; B Faherty (0-1), D Dunleavy (0-1), F Breachnach; M Meehan (3-2), C Blake, S Armstrong (3-1, 0-1 free). Subs: J Murphy for Mullahy (36 mins), A Glynn for Coyne (56 mins).
DOWN: D Alder; E Henry, M Rooney, N McEvoy; D Neeson, J Colgan, D Cunningham; A Rogers, M McClean; C Laverty (1-2), A Carr (1-0), N McArdle (1-1, 0-1 free); M Poland (0-2 frees), J McGovern, J Brown. Subs: J Ireland (1-0) for Henry (37 mins), M Clarke (0-1) for McGovern (48 mins), M Miskelly for Brown (56 mins), J Petterson for McArdle (57 mins).
Referee: M Deegan (Laois).
