Kiltale opened their defence of the Ted Murtagh SHC with a decisive win over Dunboyne at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening. 

Kiltale ......... 1-19
Dunboyne ...... 0-14

Jack Regan's 12 points were a significant component of this win for David Troy's charges who were never headed in this Group A opener,

Five other players contributed 1-7 to this total with Fergal McCabe ninth minute goal - at the town end - breaking the deadlock for the final time. 

The sides shared 22 wides between them with Regan's goal miss midway through the second-half being the most notable. 

However, it was 1-14 to 0-9 at that stage. County 'keeper Shane McGann was another notable performer for the champions, notably when denying Dunboyne sub Michael Dunne in the latter stages. 

In the opening quarter, McGann did well to turn a Ger Murphy effort over his own bar for a point that left it 0-1-each. 

At times the five-in-a-row seemed a little rusty, but were too good for Dunboyne. They took advantage of the blustery wind to open a nine-point inteval advantage. 

Thereafter, they kept Paul Carney's charges at bay and could afford to be outscored by 0-8 to 0-9 in the second-half. 

Highlights of the hour included two Regan points from distance, one from his own 45 (free) in the opening quarter. A 17th minute effort from play from his own 65 left it 1-7 to 0-4.

Kiltale added seven scores (all points) in the second quarter to lead by 1-11 to 0-5 at half-time.  

Backed by the wind, Kiltale were never headed during the first-half. However, their opening two points - both Jack Regan frees - were countered by Ger Murphy and Jack Cox. 

Murphy evaded a number of would-be tacklers with a  blistering solo before Kiltale 'keeper Shane McGann turned his goal attempt over the bar. 

Regan's second score came close to his own 45. Neil Hackett levelled matters for the second time. 

Stephen Donoghue's delivery assisted the opening goal which was finished to the net by Fearghal McCabe nine minutes in to leave it 1-2 to 0-2.

Despite their best efforts Dunboyne couldn't regain parity. They were 12 points, 1-14 to 0-5, off the pace after 37 minutes.

Though they trimmed the deficit somewhat thereafter, Kiltale were in control. Sean Quigley (placed balls) and Neil Hackett contributed nine points between them to the Dunboyne total.  

Kiltale - Shane McGann; Iarla Hughes, Phillip Garvey (C), Ciaran Ennis; Stephen Donoghue, Ronan Ryan, Padraig Kelly; Anthony Donnelly, Peter Durnin (0-1); Jack Regan (0-12, 8fs, 1 65), Cathal McCabe (0-2), Brendan Dixon; Shane Lenehan (0-2), James Kelly (0-1), Fergal McCabe (1-1). Subs - Eamon Ryan for Dixon (bs 12-15), Eamon Ryan for Durnin (31)

Dunboyne - Sean Moran; Eoin Ryan, Niall Watters, Jack Delaney; Fergal O'Neill, Sean McGrath (0-1 f), Alan Watters; Ger Murphy (0-1), Killian Smith; Jack Cox, Sean Quigley (0-6 5fs, 1 65), Michael O'Grady (0-1); Peter O'Doherty, Neil Hackett (0-3), Johnny Mitchell. Subs - Stephen Moran (0-2) for Alan Watters (ht), Niall Smyth for O'Doherty (38), Michael Dunne for Cox (47). 

Referee - Martin Bartley (Trim) 

Rd 2 - Dunboyne v Ratoath, Kiltale v Kildalkey

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