Meath Senior Hurling Manager Cillian Farrell felt he had just watched a game worthy of late Summer hurling and Live TV coverage, after the Royals played out a pulsating draw after extra-time in the Christy Ring Cup semi-final this afternoon.

The sides must meet again in Pairc Esler, Newry in seven days time for a replay, but on this afternoon's viewing Farrell felt he'd just watched a pulsating 90 minutes plus of action.

"I'm sick and tired of saying this, when they get teams to train from the start of the year and they run off a competition over five or six consecutive weeks it beggars belief," he said.

"This is a competition it must be remembered to promote hurling. They are trying to promote hurling with a competition that is finishing in mid June.

"Is that game not worthy of a television slot on RTE, TV3 or TG4? Absolutely!

"If it was a Division 3 or 4 football game it would be viewed on television.

"That was great viewing, it was a super game of hurling. Two good committed sides, a great day, a great atmosphere as well, especially when the game went to extra-time.

"It took a while to get going, but it was a good game."

Stephen Clynch saved Meath's exit from the competition twice today - slotting over the score to earn extra-time, and also delivering calmly under pressure to ensure a replay in Newry next weekend.

Farrell was thankful to have the Kilmessan sharp-shooter firmly in form.

"Absolutely he was on fire from frees and in a tight game like that everything counted, you couldn't afford to miss anything.

"In fairness to him he stood up and was counted.

"We probably gave them too much latitude in the first 35 minutes, we stood off the ball a lot. But when we went toe-to-toe with them fighting for dirty ball on the ground we were equally as good.

"We have nothing to fear next week going to Newry." Tweet

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