There was to be no fourth Nickey Rackard Cup success for Donegal hurlers on Saturday at Croke Park as a spirited second-half display from Wicklow saw the Garden County lift the All-Ireland Tier 4 championship title for the first time in the county’s history with a 1-20 to 3-12 victory.
Donegal had led by 2-8 to 0-10 at half-time thanks to first-half goals from Ryan Hilferty and Liam McKinney.
They looked on course to repeat their wins previous wins of 2013, 2018 and 2020 until replacement David Maloney gave Wicklow their first lead in the final as late as the 56th minute.
Despite Luke White’s late goal from a free, the Garden County held on to win by two in this, their first ever season in the Nickey Rackard competition, having dropped down from the Christy Ring Cup for the first time last year.
Saturday’s hurling results
Nickey Rackard Cup final
Wicklow 1-20 Donegal 3-12
Christy Ring Cup final
Meath 1-23 Derry 1-21
Lory Meaghar Cup Final |
Monaghan 3-22 Lancashire 3-20
