Wicklow defeated Meath by 2-17 to 2-15 in a thrilling All-Ireland decider at Semple Stadium this evening.

The seeds of success were sown in a devastating ten-minute spell after half time when the winners reeled off 1-5 without reply - with Padraig Doyle netting their second major - to become the first-ever winners of the Richie McElligott Cup.

While Wicklow were worthy winners, Philip O'Brien's lads battled to the end and pared an eight-point deficit down to two. Ultimately, they were left to rue missing five great goalscoring chances.

Late converted penalties at either end saw the Garden County lead by 1-9 to 1-8 at the break. Top scorer Jack Regan's goal on 29 minutes had propelled Meath into a two-point lead but victorious captain Gavin Weir replied in kind at the other end to bring an entertaining opening period to a close.

Sean Quigley pointed the Royals ahead inside ten seconds and the next eight points were shared - with Meath No.11 Regan on target three times - before Gavin McGowan made it 0-6 to 0-4 after ten minutes.

Marc Lennon and Martyn traded points and a Weir free left the minimum between them early in the second quarter. The Garden County led with ten minutes left in the first half thanks to fine points from midfield pair Lennon and Diarmuid Masterson.

Jack Fagan had the sides level for the sixth time and a Weir '65' edged Wicklow back in front following a great double save from Charlie Bird. Two expertly-struck penalties to the bottom corners at either end brought the curtain down on an evenly-contested first half.

Martyn equalised upon the restart but Jamie Byrne, Man of the Match Anthony Byrne (2) and Weir free were all on hand to fire the winners into a four-point lead after 37 minutes. Masterson smashed over Wicklow's fifth consecutive score. When full forward Doyle fired a low shot through Bird to the Meath net on 40 minutes, Wicklow were in total command.

McGowan and Martyn pulled back Meath scores and Weir replied before a Regan brace left five between the teams with ten minutes remaining. Regan's third successive score made things interesting. But Lennon and sub James Cranley steadied the winners.

The match was back in the melting pot when Regan fired to the back of the Wicklow net in the 58th minute and the inspirational No.11 followed up with a fantastic point on the stroke of full time, bringing his haul for the day to 2-7, but Jonathan O'Neill's charges held on for a famous win.

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