AFTER SO MANY years of All-Ireland final heartbreak with the Mayo footballers, Keith Higgins finally climbed the steps of the Hogan Stand today to lift silverware for the hurlers.
The 36-year-old dual star captained the Green and Red to Nicky Rackard Cup glory this afternoon as they beat Tyrone on a scoreline of 2-27 to 1-14.
Higgins, who retired from inter-county football duty earlier this year, scored 0-7 in a man-of-the-match winning display.
It was redemption for Mayo after last year’s decider defeat at the hands of Donegal as they sealed their second-ever title at the grade following their 2016 exploits.
Centre-half forward Cathal Freeman also impressed for the Westerners, clocking a tally of 1-4, while Seán Regan bagged the other goal.
CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/gClvHg4pMe
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) July 31, 2021
Damian Casey top-scored for the Red Hand, whose county footballers were crowned Ulster champions afterwards following a dramatic one-point win over Monaghan, while ex-Antrim dual star and club All-Ireland winner CJ McGourty also impressed.
Cavan and Fermanagh played later in the Lory Meagher Cup final, with Fermanagh running out 3-26 to 1-17 victors in Croke Park.
Also tonight in the Connacht minor football championship, Roscommon ran out 1-16 to 2-12 victors over Galway in their semi-final in Tuam Stadium and will now meet Sligo in next week’s final.
