Kildalkey 2-11 Ratoath 0-14

Kildalkey and Ratoath played out a highly entertaining Donal O Loingsigh Cup final in sunny Ashbourne on Tuesday night and with the game in the balance several times it was the blues that pushed for home in the last few minutes and won the trophy. PHOTOS

Hunger, heart and desire was in plenty supply as the Kildalkey men won this trophy for the first time since its introduction on the hurling calendar.

With a mix of youth and experience Kildalkey got a good start with an Arron Traynor point from play followed by a great point on the run from Francis Doran and a few minutes later an opportunist goal from his brother Derek the Ducksy put them into the lead but Ratoath hit back and started to get a foothold in the game with a few nice scores.

The next 3 points came from the Kildalkey halfback line as Matt Rickard clipped one over from the right and Michael Carr hit 2 on the run from distance to keep their team in the game  but Ratoath hit back once more and with half time approaching another goal from Ducksy who after a good ball in won it rounded his man and scored to leave his team 1 point in front at the break 2-5 to 0-10.

The second half was point for point and 3 frees from Ducksy were replied by Ratoath but the introduction of Robbie Johnston added pace to the attack as he ran at them and won a few vital frees along with Enda Keogh and Adam O'Brien which Arron Traynor converted to put them 2 up and they fought for every ball. Francis Doran got possession on the stand side and converted the last point from far out to seal the win as referee blew for full time.

Kildalkey had hero’s all over the field and goalie Paul Fagan who made a string of great saves to keep out the Ratoath forwards. 

Long serving Martin Doran Seán Crash Corrigan Enda Keogh and Ducksy rolled back the years with their performance and never say die attitude. 

And the youth Michael Carr, Mark Hand, Ciaran Browne, Liam Carroll, Traynor, Johnston, Adam O'Brien and Shay Diggins all played out of their skins to record a famous win for their club.

John Brennan and members of the O Loingsigh family presented captain Liam Carroll with the cup after an entertaining game.

Kildalkey team and scorers: 1 P Fagan, 2 M Hand, 3 S Corrigan, 4 M Doran, 5 M Rickard (0-1), 6 L Carroll, 7 M Carr (0-2), 8 C Browne , 9 S Diggins , 10 A O Brien , 11 F Doran (0-2), 12 A Traynor (0-3)(2f), 13 D Doran (2-3)(3f), 14 E Keogh, 15 M Browne 

Subs: R Johnston for M Browne 

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