JHC final: No joy for Kildalkey 3rds in Ratoath

Kildalkey's Padraig Geoghegan with Sam Geraghty St. Pats during the JHC final at Ratoath

St. Pats 1-15 Kildalkey 0-11

Kildalkey's Junior hurlers took on St Pats on Saturday afternoon in the Junior A Final at Ratoath but came out second best to a fitter slicker and more physical St Pats on the day.

Kildalkey needed a good start but it was Pats who got it and played with the strong wind they hit 1-2 in the first 5 minutes leaving Kildalkey chasing the game but Noel Kirby got Kildalkey’s first score but an injury to Lee Coldrick was a huge setback his replacement Ryan Byas got the next score Kirby got the next free but again Pats were hitting points from distance with the aid of the breeze but were also winning all the breaks.The blues were wide on a number of occasions from frees and play that would have closed the gap but on the day just couldn’t find the range.Pats tagged on the last few scores to lead 1-9 to 0-3 at halftime and a hamstring injury to Kirby meant another change was needed which was another huge blow.

With the wind on their backs Kildalkey needed a good start but it was pats who got it hitting the first point from out on the wing

However they did rally with points from Francis Doran Podger Geoeghan with 3 who was having a stormer but then another blow as we lost James Cully with injury 

Sean Heavey after an overhead pass from Geoeghan and Derek Doran slipped over points to give them hope but again Pats hit over points of their own to keep us at arms length.

Doran went off with another injury another blow on a day nothing went right and with time ticking away 2 long range frees went over from Paddy Casey one just dropping on the crossbar as we searched for a goal but it wasn’t to be as Pats tagged on 2 more points to seal the win and deservedly so as they were the better team on the day and after losing 2 finals in recent years to Kildalkey they got their revenge and brought home the cup for 2026. They brought the performance and it was their day .

After a brilliant display in the semi final against Drumree Kildalkey just couldn’t repeat the performance on Saturday but can be proud of getting to the final with the clubs third string and with some players that have served the club with distinction for over 20 years winning senior championships which we’ll be forever thankful and also had some young players with a bright future that hopefully will push on now and have the ability to play senior for their club.

Kildalkey team and scorers: 1 A Traynor, 2 D Quinn, 3 E Fitzgerald, 4 M Doran, 5 R Thompson, 6 S Heavey (0-1), 7 C Browne, 8 L Coldrick, 9 P Geoghegan (0-3), 10 A Byas, 11 P Casey (0-2)(2f), 12 J Cully, 13 S Murray, 14 N Kirby (0-2)(1f), 15 D Doran (0-1)

Subs: R Byas (0-1)for L Coldrick, F Doran (0-1)for N Kirby, E Monaghan for J Cully, P Keogh for S Murray, J Finnane for C Browne, D Lehart for D Doran