Kehoe Cup: Meath win in extra time thriller
February 10, 2014
Mick Gorman of the Leinster council presents Meath captain Sean Heavey with the Kehoe Cup at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge.
Kildare 0-19 AET
It once again took extra time for the senior hurlers of Meath and Kildare at Newbridge to separate both sides, on the last occasion that they met in last year's Christy Ring Round 2 clash again in Newbridge Meath took the spoils.
At times during the first half Kildare assisted by a slight breeze looked like a team inspired as they gained copious amounts of possession but a tally of 13 first half wides proved unlucky for them and they only held a two point lead at half time, Kildare 0-8 to Meath's 0-6. In that first half Gerry Keegan, wing back Richie Hoban, Billy White and Paul Divilly kept Kildare ahead despite scores from Darren Reilly with a sideline cut and free, Adam Gannon added 2 pts along with points from Derek Doran and Willie McGrath.
At the start of the second half Sean Heavey and James Toher switched positions with Stephen Morris switching to attack Meath gradually got back into the game and when Adam Gannon hit the equaliser in injury time extra time became a reality. Stephen Morris put Meath ahead within seconds of the resumption and points from Ciaran Fitzsimons Darren Reilly and Sean Heavey left Meath ahead by 20 points to 18 at the short break. Adam Gannon finished the game in the second period of extra time with a point and a well finished goal to a solitary pointed '65' from Paul Divilly.
Meath: Shane McGann, Cormac Reilly, Neil McLoughlin, David Donoghue; Stephen Morris (0-1), Sean Heavey, Captain (0-1), Shane Whitty; Darren Reilly (0-8 1 sl, 1 '65', 5f), James Toher; Derek Doran (0-1), Gary Kelly, Willie McGrath (0-2); Peter Durnin (0-1), Tom McGrath, Adam Gannon (1-4). Subs: Ciaran Fitzsimons (0-3) for Tom McGrath, Peter Farrell for Willie McGrath, Shane Brennan for Gary Kelly, Anthony Healy for Derek Doran Jordan Martin
Kildare: Paul Dermody; John O'Malley, John Doran, Niall O Muineachain; Eanna O'Neill, Mark Maloney, Richie Hoban (0-2f); Billy White (0-2), Martin Fitzgerald (0-2); Ray McLoughney, Paul Divilly (0-4, 1 '65', 1f), Tony Murphy; Gerry Keegan (0-6, 3f), Peadar Downey, Willie Green. Subs; Paul Kennedy (0-2) for Tony Murphy, Mark Delaney for Peadar Downey.
Report by Meath Hurling PRO Ray Kirby Tweet
