Newry was the setting for - what I feel - will turn out to be a defining moment for Mayo hurling. For thirty-five minutes they hurled with authority and skill to be just one point behind Down at the end of the first half, of the Christy Ring semi-final. But a second half collapse, coupled with Down finding their form, meant they left the border city with nothing learnt and a lot lost.
The glum Mayo players faces weren't helped when their manager of three years - and one as a selector - called time on his role. It was clear after being beaten semi-finalists last year that this game against Down meant everything to th team.
He hinted that there are other players, of the 30 plus bracket, who also may not be back next year. In that case, then, in years to come the Down loss could well be seen as the catalyst for a whole new dawn in Mayo hurling. Whether that's a good or bad dawn - remains to be seen.
I covered the game for several media outlets including:
Irish News
Belfast Telegraph
Mayonews
And also The Irish Daily Star, Irish Examiner, Irish Independent, Sunday Star, Sunday Life.
