JHC final: Aaron makes it a Dunne deal for Killyon
September 22, 2019
Killyon's Ciaran Dowling gets away from Eoghan Ryan and Johnny O'Connor Dunboyne during the Meath JHC final at Pairc Tailteann
Aaron Dunne shone as Killyon resisted a strong second-half Dunboyne rally to claim the JHC title at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
Killyon ............ 1-16
Dunboyne ....... 2-9
Significant contributions by goalkeeper Aaron Dunne saw Killyon claim JHC title. Apart from making a number of important saves, he landed two long range frees
Killyon laid the foundations for their first JHC title success since 2001 in the opening half when the weather was at its wettest and darkest.
All bar four of their scores were registered in this phase when they played towards the town end.
Killyon had nine points on the board in response to John Watters' opening score for Dunboyne with 20 minutes gone.
The experienced Johnny O'Connor top scored with 2-4 and boosted Dunboyne when his speculative effort wound up in the Killyon net in the 21st minute
That left it 0-9 to 1-1. Killyon shaded the remainder of the half, with goalkeeper Aaron Dunne getting on the scoresheet with a free from his own 65. It was 0-13 to 1-4 at the break, good scoring considering the conditions.
However, the weather conditions didn't help in the identification of players from both sides. With the improving weather that got easier in the second-half.
The scoring rate dipped in the third quarter, but O'Connor's accuracy from placed balls saw Dunboyne cut the gap to four points heading into the final quarter.
A mini-salvo doubled Killyon's lead. First, Aaron Dunne's second pointed free, from the middle of the field. Then James Mitchell goaled for Killyon when another Dunne free broke to him.
That left it 1-15 to 1-7 in the 52nd minute. Dunboyne pressed for a second goal and were rewarded five minutes later when O'Connor netted from a 20-metre free. Seconds later the game's top scorer pointed from distance and the gap was down to four.
With the hour almost up Jack Delaney pointed for Dunboyne and the gap was down to a goal. Killyon 'keeper Dunne came to his side's rescue on a couple of occasions in the time remaining.
At the other end of the pitch Patrick Ryan posted Killyon's insurance point that secured a second win for his side over Dunboyne in the campaign
Killyon - Aaron Dunne (0-2 fs); Marcus Cogan, Brian Perry, Aaron Duignan; Robert Quirke, Liam Hynes, Conor Foley (0-1); Dylan Flanagan (0-1), Sean Bell; Ciaran Dowling (0-1), JJ Gilsenan, James Mitchell (1-3); David Kennedy (0-3, 1f), Patrick Ryan (0-4, 1f), Cian Brennan (0-1). Subs - Michael Deleacy for Brennan (45), Andy Feeney for Bell (50)
Dunboyne - Stephen Clince; Danny Kane, John Finlay, Johnathan Pearle; Cadhla McKenna, Jack Delaney (0-1), Gavin O'Keefe; Eoghan Ryan (0-2), Oisin Fitzmaurice; Eamon Murphy, John Watters (0-1), Johnny O'Connor (2-4, 1-3 fs); Oisin O'Dwyer, Brian Watters, Ciaran McKay (0-1). Subs - Neville Reilly for O Fitzmaurice, Ronan Fitzmaurice for Oisin O'Dwyer (both 22), Eoin Martin for Pearle (34), Joey Crofts for O'Keefe (41).
Referee - Gus Martyn (Dunderry)
