SHC final: Sweet silver jubilee for Kildalkey
November 21, 2021
Kildalkey's Nicky Potterton keeps his eye on the ball as a hurl less Cillian O'Sullivan closes in during the Meath SHC final at Pairc Tailteann
A half century on from gaining senior status for the first time, Kildalkey claimed the SHC with a convincing win over Kiltale at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.
Kildalkey .....0-18
Kiltale ........ 2-6
Pat O'Halloran and Daire Lahart's men bossed this occasion and were rewarded with a sixth SHC title. Apart from a moment in the opening quarter, Kildalkey were never headed.
When Kiltale rallied, Kildalkey responded positively. Top scorer Conor Kearney - who punished Kiltale with eight pointed frees - earned the Harry Connor man-of-the-match award.
In defence, Kildalkey led by full-back and captain Gary Kelly were outstanding. In front of him, Mairtin Doran brought his experience to bear.
The experienced Noel Kirby capped a cameo with final score of the game.
Kildalkey posted more than twice as many scores than Kiltale, who only briefly reached the pitch of the game. The team in maroon and green were the more wasteful, particularly in the first-half.
Kildalkey played into the town goal in the first-half with the sun, but no significant win behind them. The sides shared four scores in the opening quarter with Mark O'Sullivan briefly giving Kiltale the lead around the 13th minute. Paddy Conneely ensured the sides were level at the first refreshment break.
A feature of the opening quarter was the number of wides, particularly by Kiltale. The team in maroon and green failed to add to their tally in the second quarter. By half-time they had eight wides on their debit side.
A stronger second quarter saw Kildalkey chalk up more points than wides. By half-time the feams had registered 13 wides between them, with Kildalkey notching five.
Kildalkey looked to be in a strong position at the break, leading by 0-7 to 0-2. Within a minute of the restart, James McNaly had moved his side six clear.
With two strokes, Kiltale had the deficit down to two points. First, midfielder Cillian O'Sullivan rounded off a surging run with a well-struck goal.
A Ross Ryan point left just two between the teams. Then the usually prolific Jack Regan landed a free in the 35th minute to leave just the minimum between the sides.
Kildalkey managed six of the next seven points to leave them well on-course to a memorable win, their first since 2019.
Sub Peter Durnin's 50th minute goal couldn't derail Kildalkey's momentum as they outscored Kiltale by 0-3 to 0-1 in the latter stages.
Scorers: Kildalkey - Conor Kearney 0-9 (8 fs); Nicky Potterton, Paddy Conneely 0-2 each; Patrick Potterton, Noel Kirby, James McNally, Mark Healy, Padraig Geoghegan,
Kiltale - Cillian O'Sullvan, Peter Durnin 1-0 each; Jack Regan (fs), Mark O'Sullivan 0-2 each; Cathal McCabe, Ross Ryan 0-1 each.
Kildalkey - Mark McCormack; Brendan McKeon, Gary Kelly (c), David Conneely; David Harmon, Mairtin Doran, James McNally; Martin Healy, Patrick Potterton; Conor Kearney, Kevin McKeon, Mark Healy; Nicky Potterton, Padraig Geoghegan, Paddy Conneely. Subs - Noel Kirby for Mark Healy (54).
Kiltale - Conor Ryan; Iarla Hughes, Phllip Garvey, Ronan Ryan; Conor McNally, James Kelly (c), Padraig Kelly; Cillian O'Sullivan, Jack Regan; Cathal McCabe, Chris Reilly, Fearghal McCabe; Eoghan Frayne, Ross Ryan, Mark O'Sullivan. Subs - David Donoghue for C McCabe (bs 22 - ht), Stephen Donoghue for McNally (42), Peter Durnin for Reilly (47), David Donoghue for F McCabe (52).
Referee - Kevin Brady (Pearse Og, Louth)
