SHC semi-final: Kildalkey serve notice with big win
September 21, 2019
Longwood's Ross Kerrigan with Niall McNally Kildalkey during the Meath SHC semi final at Pairc Tailteann
A powerful performance saw Kildalkey advance to the SHC final with this emphatic semi-final win over Longwood at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening.
Kildalkey ...... 4-19
Longwood ...... 1-11
Kildalkey are back in the SHC final for the first time since 2017 following an impressive first-half display that saw Pat O'Halloran's men construct a 10-point interval lead, 2-11 to 0-7.
Two goals in quick succession around the 10th minute set Kildalkey on their way.
Operating towards the town end, Kildalkey took matters to Longwood from the off. Paddy Conneely's opening free was countered by a Karl Ennis effort from play. It was the only instance in the game when the scores were tied.
Before Longwood scored again Kildalkey tagged on 2-3. Two goals was the closest the 'Wood got to 'The Village' over the remainder of the game.
As the margin widened it was hard to believe that the sides drew at the round robin stage of the championship. They were only separated in the final table by Kildalkey's superior score difference.
Kildalkey's openng goal was the pick of the four. Nicolas Potterton cut in at pace before unleashing a scorching effort into the town goal eight minutes in.
Two minutes later Padraig Geoghegan's goal had some similarity with the opening goal and suddenly nine points separated the sides.
Points from the Healy brothers, Anthony (frees) and Damien, offered Longwood some hope.
Padraig Geoghegan's points from placed balls kept Kildalkey on the front foot. The highlight of the game's top scorer's efforts was from a free from inside his own 65.
Kildalkey resumed where they left off and with just over a minute gone Geoghegan goaled from close range having collected James McNally's long delivery.
The scoring rate dipped in the third quarter, with just seven scores, during which time Eoin Lynch pointed for Longwood when a punt at goal looked a good bet.
Kildalkey's final goal arrived in the 49th minute with sub Niall McNally netting after Noel Kirby attempt was parried by Longwood 'keeper Kevin Maguire.
By the end of the game nine different players were on the scoresheet for Pat O'Halloran's side.
Sub Barry Ennis' late cameo yielded 1-2 for Longwood and softened the final margin somewhat. It couldn't prevent the 'Wood from losing heavily at the knockout stage for the second year running.
Kildalkey - Mark McCormack; David Conneely, Gary Kelly, Mairtin Doran; Brendan McKeon, David Harman, Paddy Potterton (0-2); James McNally, Padraig Geoghegan (1-0); Mark Healy (0-1), Kevin McKeon, Sean Heavey (0-1); Nicky Potterton (1-1), Paddy Conneely (1-8 fs), Luke Rickard (0-3). Subs - Noel Kirby for D Conneely (bs 37), D Conneely for Heavey (45), Niall McNally (1-2) for Potterton (48), Evan Fitzgerald for K McKeon (51), Martin Healy (0-1) for Mark Healy.
Longwood - Kevin Maguire; Chris Lynch, Enda Dixon, Ross Kerrigan; Joey Stenson, Michael Burke, Eoin Lynch; Niall Mulvey, Ryan Moore; Anthony Healy (0-5s), Damien Healy (0-2), Coran Byrne; James Dorran (0-1), Sean Coloe, Karl Ennis (0-1). Subs - Johnny Furey for C Byrne (36), Barry Ennis (1-2) for J Dorran (57), Jacob Baldwin for C Lynch (57), Brendan Hanna for E Lynch (61).
Referee - Jason Buckley (Donaghmore-Ashbourne)
