EIRE ÓG'S run in the Club Championship came to an abrupt end when they took on the Mayo champions Michael Davitts in the All Ireland semi-final at Tullamore on Sunday.

The Greystones supporters turned out in big numbers to cheer on their team to what would have been a history-making first All Ireland final. However, it was not to be.

Davitts were a physically strong and talented team and they too were all out for victory. They may have benefitted a little by having first use of a very strong wind but at the end of the day that can hardly be put forward as the only reason why they dominated this game to such a remarkable degree.

Eire Óg did play with great heart and courage and tried every inch of the way for every minute of this match even when it must have been clear to them that on this occasion at least victory was about to elude them.

The Mayo and Connaught champions got off to a flying start and it soon became evident where their real striking power lay.

Corner forward Michael Conroy who has worn the Mayo jersey at least in Junior ranks was their great danger man and when I tell you that he gave that great hearted battler Jack Tanner a most uncomfortable evening then you will know that he was class indeed.

He won and pointed a free in the 3rd minute, sent over another free in the 5th minute and then set up full forward Fergal Mcgrath for a point in the 6th minute.

Eire Óg was battling very hard at that stage and got a lift when midfielder Thomas Gbelovevia got their first point in the 7th minute.

However that was to prove to be their last score for a long time. Davitts went back on the attack again. Conroy added four more points in a row, three of them from play to put his side six points clear after 20 minutes.

However, there was still hope for the Greystones men at that stage. They would have the advantage of the wind in the second half and with their fighting spirit and their fans still cheering them on at every opportunity we dared to hope for a good result.

All that changed in 24th minute when they spread the Greystones defence wide with Conroy supplying the final pass and Mcgrath finishing to the net.

While Darren Hayden tried hard to rally his side and sent over a point in the 30th minute they still had a mountain to climb in the second half. Half time score Davitts 1-8, Eire Óg 0-2.

In the opening minutes of the second half the 'Blues' again gave their supporters something to shout about. Darren Hayden sent in a lovely pass to Daniel Woods and the wing forward boxed over a point, all inside of 30 seconds. Minutes later they were through with a half chance of a goal but it came to nothing and Davitts went back on the attack again.

In the 9th minute of the second half real disaster struck. The defence had been battling well to hold out an eager beaver attack and had done well to put Conroy off his shot for once and see the ball float wide of the post.

However luckless keeper Lorcan Traynor tried a short kick out. It went astray and centre forward David Mcdonagh picked up the loose ball and planted it in the net.

The game was as good as over but Eire Óg fought on with great courage. Hayden sent over a point from a long range free but then saw another effort that could have yielded a score come back off the crossbar. It was just not their day. They finished with points by Daniel Woods and sub Daniel Webb but at that stage the Mayo men were already celebrating a great victory that sees them through to an All Ireland final.

Lorcan Traynor, that kick out apart, had a sound game in goal and saved one certain goal in the first half. Eoin Mchugh was rock solid all through and kept his man scoreless. James Kelly improved as the hour went on and had a great last quarter.

Tanner caught a tarter but never stopped trying. Stephen Kelly had some good moments but overall this was a day he will prefer to forget and ended with him being sent to the line on a second yellow card. James Leonard tried hard to rally his men but really it was the Davitt's number 8 Ronan Mcnamara who stood out in the midfield sector. Darren Hayden was definitely Eire Óg's best player but he always found two or three men blocking his way as he made tracks for goal.

The selectors did all that they could and called in four of their subs but nothing could change the trend of this game. However, they have gone further than any other team in Wicklow has managed to go and can be well satisfied with a great year that not alone saw them win the Wicklow championship and gain promotion to senior ranks but also become the first Wicklow team to win the Leinster Intermediate football cup.

- PETER KEOGH