JHC final: Experience pays for Kilmessan
November 13, 2021
Dunboyne's Niall Watters with Jack Brady Kilmessan during the Meath JHC final at Pairc Tailteann.
Fielding a number of players with SHC experience, Kilmessan overcome Dunboyne in a closely contested JHC final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon.
Kilmessan ..... 0-15
Dunboyne ...... 0-14
It atoned somewhat for Kilmessan's loss to Ratoath in the 2020 JHC final a few months back. But for determined defending in the final mintues the team in royal blue jerseys they might have experienced another final defeat. Photos
Stoppage time points from Marty Mulhall and the experienced Ger O'Neill cushioned Kilmessan against a late Dunboyne charge. It yielded a John Mitchell that wasn't enough to secure the Tommy Kane Cup for Dunboyne.
The sides were level four times (all in the second-half). An excellent day for hurling; overcast and calm, it enhanced the contest. It reflected the round robin fixture between the sides a few months back which finished level.
John Mitchell's 41st minute point - a magnificent effort from distance - left it 0-10-each. The sides added one point each before the second water break. Conor Gilmartin's 49th minute point earned Dunboyne the lead for the final time, 0-12 to 0-11.
When Ger O'Neill fluffed his lines in front of goal in the 57th minute the scores were tied at 0-13-each. Next up was that brace of points that ultimately clinched the title for Kilmessan.
Kilmessan's team work, particularly in defence, was impressive while Dunboyne centre-half-back Jamie Gilmartin was the most prominent player on view.
Having played second fiddle for much of the hour, Kilmessan's resilience was rewarded. Both teams were well-supported on the Pairc Tailteann double-header.
Dunboyne bossed the early stages and were rewarded with five points in nine minutes. Kilmessan improved as the quarter wore on. Marty Mulhall's effort left the men royal blue 0-3 to 0-5 off the bace at the water break.
Paul Grimes' accuracy from placed balls kept Kilmessan in touch while Conor Gilmartin's accuracy from similar efforts pushed Dunboyne three clear twice in the second quarter.
A close range Gilmartin free struck the frame of the goals at the town end 23 minutes in. Grimes' third point of the half left the minimum between the sides heading into stoppage time.
A needlessly conceded free allowed Gilmartin's third point of the half to earn his side a 0-9 to 0-7 interval advantage.
Kilmessan resumed on the front foot, gaining parity for the first time with points from Aidan Mangan and Danny Thynne. A Grimes free saw Kilmessan hit the front for the first time, 0-10 to 0-9, with 34 minutes gone.
Scorers: Kilmessan - Paul Grimes 0-6 (5fs, 1 65); Marty Mulhall, Aidan Mangan, Ger O'Neill 0-2 each; Danny Thynne, Martin Horan, Jack Brady (f) 0-1 each.
Dunboyne - Conor Gilmartin 0-5 (4fs, 1 65); Joseph Egan, Liam Callanan, John Mitchell 0-2 (1 65) each; Eoghan McCormack, Liam Callanan, Ciaran McKay 0-1 each.
Kilmessan - Cian O'Neill; Jack Byrne, Mark Munnelly (c), Eoin Jack Keoghan; Martin Horan, Peter Farrell, Richard Judge; Paul Grimes, Marty Mulhall; Aidan Mangan, Ger O'Neill, Paul O'Brien; Danny Thynne, Jack Brady, David Hackett. Subs - Alexander Smith for R Judge (ht), Kevin O'Reilly for Brady (ht), Charlie Keena for Byrne (45),
Dunboyne - Cian Smyth; Simon O'Keeffe, Niall Watters (c), Darren Dunne; Joseph Egan, Jamie Gilmartin, Aidan Flynn; Conor Gilmartin, Andy McWeeney; Liam Callanan, Ciaran McKay, Barry Watters; Joe Humphreys, John Mitchell, Eoghan McCormack. Subs - Darragh Finlay for Flynn (13), Cathal Melia for Humphreys (48), Adam Hynes for McKay (55), Conor Geoghegan for B Watters (60 _
Referee - Owen Ganly (Trim)
