In the first Ted Murtagh SHC game played at Dunganny, Sean Doyle's brace of scores swung this exciting Group A clash Kilmessan's way.

Kilmessan ........ 1-10
Kildalkey ...........0-12

Following their previous round loss to Killyon, Kilmessan were more in need of the points from this round four meeting against the group leaders who endured their first defeat of the campaign.

Heading into the final third of a close contest, Kildalkey led by 0-11 to 0-8 following a great Padraig Keogh score from out on the wing. Kilmessan outscored them by 1-2 to 0-1 in the time remaining.

Darren Reilly pulled a point back (free) for Kilmessan before Sean Doyle made his mark. His 51st minute close range effort - with assistance from Padraig Burke and Kevin Keena - put the Blues in front for the first time since the 24th minute.

Doyle (free) doubled the lead before another sub - Kildalkey's Martin Healy - closed the scoring in the 56th minute.

This fixture proved that a plethora of scores aren't a necessity for an exciting contest. For such a close game - there was never more than three points between the sides - the sides were level just three times, all in the opening half.

Shane Brennan was an outstanding presence at full-back for Kilmessan who didn't become unduly perturbed by the accumulation of five wides in the opening 20 minutes. At this point Kildalkey had yet to register one. The final count was six-eight in favour of Kildalkey.

Conor Kearney was the driving force on the scoresheet as Kildalkey took the honours in the opening half. His free-taking from distance - particularly in the first 30 minutes - was one of the outstanding features of the evening.

Kilmessan scored first through Kevin Reilly. Kildalkey's response was to move three points clear on two occasions.  After Darren Reilly restored Kilmessan's lead in the 24th minute, Kildalkey outscored their opponents by 0-3 to 0-1 over the remainder of the half to lead by 0-8 to 0-7 at the break.

In getting the final score of the half, the impressive Eoin Marsh might have goaled but his effort skied over the bar.

During the interval the skies to the north threatened rain - which thankfully didn't materialise- while the floodlights were fully warmed up for the resumption.

Kearney tagged on two pointed frees within two minutes of the restart. However, he didn't add to his eight-point tally in the time remaining. Team-mate Paddy Conneally was unluckly to send his goal attempt crashing against the crossbar. Had it gone in, Kildalkey would have been six points clear.

To their credit, Kilmessan hung-in until Doyle's intervention secured their third win of the campaign. In the final round of group games Kilmessan take on Trim while Kildalkey face Longwood.

Kilmessan - Sean Power; Paddy McGovern, Shane Brennan, Padraig Maguire; Martin Horan, Paul O'Brien, Malcolm Doyle;; Padraig Burke, Kevin Reilly (0-1);Joey Keena (0-1), Alan Kelly, Kevin Keena; Darren Reilly (0-5, 4fs), Steven Clynch, Eoin Marsh (0-2),Subs - Charlie Keena for Clynch (ht), Sean Doyle (1-1, 0-1f) for Reilly (47), Peter Farrell for Marsh (50)

Kildalkey - Conor Flynn; David Conneely, Enda Fitzgerald, Padraig Geoghegan; Maurice Keogh, David Harmon, Mairtin Doran; Gary Watters (0-1), Mark Healy; Padraig Keogh (0-1), Paddy Conneally, Sean Corrigan; Conor Kearney (0-8, 6fs, 1 65), Sean Heavey (0-1),Eoin Potterton. Subs - Martin Healy (0-1) for E Potterton (45), Patrick Potterton for Mark Healy (48), Gary Kelly for Corrigan (55), Enda Keogh for P Keogh (58).

Referee - Fergus Smith (Kilcock)

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