Clann na nGael 3-15   Kildalkey 2-13

Clann na nGael recorded their third win in the Meath IHC against Kildalkey in this keenly contested match in front of a large crowd at Dunderry.

Clanns took some time to settle into this derby match and had an early Aaron Ennis penalty saved by the Kildalkey keeper, who pulled off some fine saves throughout the match. Thereafter Clann na nGael took control of the game and were leading by 9 points after 25 minutes before Kildalkey scored a goal and two points just before the break to leave Clann na nGael leading at half time on a scoreline of 2-08 to 1-07.

The second half saw the introduction of the excellent Killian Swaine who lifted the tempo of the attack and who also scored a memorable goal. The match ebbed and flowed with John Farrell giving an outstanding display at midfield. There was some great endeavour and score taking from Gerry O'Sullivan, but none better than a Calum O'Sullivan point which featured a spectacular sky high catch, pivot and strike from over 50 meters. In goal Darren Heaney made some excellent saves to defy Kildalkey midway through the second half. An earlier first half injury to the dominant Luke Swaine at full back seen him eventually being replaced by Darragh Brogan who himself had bravely battled back to regain his fitness following a lengthy injury.

Clans pushed on in the second half and were leading by 8 points with 5 minutes to go before Kildalkey goaled to reduce the deficit to 5 points. Clann na nGael ran out winners on a score line of 3-15 to 2-13. Best for Clann na nGael were Darren Heaney, Ciaran Fitzsimons, John Farrell, Calum O'Sullivan, Gerry O'Sullivan and Sean Reilly.

Clann na nGael: D. Heaney; J. Doherty, L. Swaine, A. Doherty; A. Ennis, G. Mangan, C.  Fitzsimons; J. Farrell, C. Garry; C. O'Sullivan, G. O'Sullivan, P. Geraghty; G. Cole, G. Bhreatnach, S. Reilly. Subs: K. Swaine for P .Geraghty, D. Brogan for L. Swaine.

Kildalkey Report

Kildalkey 2-13  Clann Na Gael 3-15

Dunderry was the venue for this local derby between neighbours Kildalkey and Clann Na Gael in Round 3 of the Intermediate Hurling Championship.

Clann Na Gael were coming into this game as favourites after gaining 2 wins over Drumree and Kiltale while Kildalkey beat Kilmessan in Round 1 and were defeated by Drumree.

Both sides went toe to toe in the first half and traded points on a warm evening Ross Flynn hit    4 points from frees and Andy Fagan hit a long range point from play but Clann Na Gael hit back with some good scores before they broke through and were awarded a penalty which Steven Masterson made a double save but they eventually got through to score 2 goals to put them in the driving seat coming up to half time leading by 2-8 to 0-6 but credit to Kildalkey the kept battling and a quick 1-1 from Francy Doran and a point from Andy Fagan left them only trailing by 4 points at the halfway stage with the score 2-8 to 1-7.

Clan Na Gael got the perfect start to the second half as they got a third goal and added 3 frees  to put some distance between the teams but Kildalkey kept battling and despite being down by 10 points at one stage they never stopped trying and 4 points from frees from Flynn kept them in the game and another long free from him again was dropped in and a number of players went up for it but it deceived everyone and ended up in the net .

Martin Browne got a nice point on the run and Brian Coneely got a point when introduced but try as they did for another goal Clann Na Gael stood firm and got the last point to close out the scoring and seal the win on a scoreline of Kildalkey 2-13 Clann Na Gael 3-15.

Kildalkey: S Masterson; T Bird, S Corrigan, M Rickard; B Rickard, E Potterton, B Kelly; M Browne (0-1), J McNally; B McKeon, R Flynn (1-8f), A Fagan (0-2); F Doran (1-1), K McKeon, C Egan. Subs: C Hayes for F Doran, B Coneely (0-1) for C Egan, C Egan for B McKeon.

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