Derry manager Ciaran Meenagh admitted his side could have “no complaints” after their All-Ireland Championship campaign came to an end with a 1-24 to 1-20 defeat by Meath at Celtic Park.
The Oak Leafers battled back from an early deficit to level matters at 1-9 apiece at half-time, but were unable to gain control of the contest as Meath progressed to round three as the hosts unceremoniously exited the All-Ireland.
“I’m disappointed, we didn’t deserve to win so we can have no complaints,” Meenagh told BBC Sport NI.
“We put a huge amount of effort into trying to get a lift for a performance. It was very difficult after the Monaghan and Armagh games, and ultimately we weren’t good enough, so that’s the season closed now.”
Despite going in level at the interval, Meenagh felt the warning signs were already there for Derry after Meath dominated possession throughout the opening period.
“If we had any return in the ball at all from both sets of kick-outs, we were scoring fairly easily,” he said.
“We said that at half-time, but it didn’t change. They still dominated primary possession, and when they’re taking over half of our possession and winning over 80% of their own, that leaves us in a difficult position to win the game.”
As Derry pressed for a response in the closing stages, Meenagh felt the physical toll of playing without sustained possession eventually caught up with his side.
“When you’re chasing the game for a lot of it, then you’re going to the ball for a lot of it. It’s energy-sapping,” he said.
“They were the better side and, as the game wore on, they started to get their scores easier.”