Derry weren't good enough in Meath loss - Meenagh

Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh admitted his side could have "no complaints" after their All-Ireland Championship campaign came to an end with a 1-24 to 1-20 defeat by Meath at Celtic Park.

The Oak Leafers battled back from an early deficit to level matters at 1-9 apiece at half-time, but were unable to gain control of the contest as Meath progressed to round three as the hosts unceremoniously exited the All-Ireland.

"I'm disappointed, we didn't deserve to win so we can have no complaints," Meenagh told BBC Sport NI.

"We put a huge amount of effort into trying to get a lift for a performance. It was very difficult after the Monaghan and Armagh games, and ultimately we weren't good enough, so that's the season closed now."

Despite going in level at the interval, Meenagh felt the warning signs were already there for Derry after Meath dominated possession throughout the opening period.

"If we had any return in the ball at all from both sets of kick-outs, we were scoring fairly easily," he said.

"We said that at half-time, but it didn't change. They still dominated primary possession, and when they're taking over half of our possession and winning over 80% of their own, that leaves us in a difficult position to win the game."

As Derry pressed for a response in the closing stages, Meenagh felt the physical toll of playing without sustained possession eventually caught up with his side.

"When you're chasing the game for a lot of it, then you're going to the ball for a lot of it. It's energy-sapping," he said.

"They were the better side and, as the game wore on, they started to get their scores easier."

While disappointed with the result, Meenagh pointed to the emergence of 19-year-old James Sargent as one of the positives to come from the evening.

The young forward marked his first Championship start with 1-2 and was one of Derry's standout performers.

"He's a special talent," said Meenagh.

"He's back from an ACL injury, so that was a positive. I thought he and some of the younger players were particularly good in terms of their battling qualities."

"It was a good performance from him, but that's one he won't remember for all the right reasons."

Reflecting on the end of a disappointing campaign, Meenagh said there was little he could say to lift spirits in the dressing room after the final whistle.

"Everybody's very, very disappointed," he added.

"You thank them for their efforts throughout the year, but there's not an awful lot you can say in a moment like that."