Hot favourites Mullinavat fended off a resolute Kiltale challenge before claiming the AIB Leinster Club IHC at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday afternoon.

Mullinavat (Kilkenny)  1-13
Kiltale (Meath)  0-13

The Meath SHC champions ensured the outcome was in doubt until Liam Fennelly posted the final score, in the fourth minute of stoppage time to ensure provincial honours went to the south Kilkenny side who were well supported.

The turning point came with Jamie Fennelly's 28th minute goal at the town end of the ground that left the nearby scoreboard reading 1-7 to 0-6.

Mullinavat maintained that lead to the end and were 1-8 to 0-7 ahead at the break.

With Mark O'Sullivan and Jack Regan prominent in the scoring stakes Kiltale got to within two points of Mullinavat four times subsequently but Brian Gilsenan's resolute men couldn't erase the deficit.

A quartet of Mark O'Sullivan points - including two top notch third quarter efforts - coupled with the scoring exploits of Jack Regan couldn't regain the lead for Kiltale, something they enjoyed on two occasions in the early stages.

Apart from posting a brace of points from long range frees, Mullinavat full-back Thomas Aylward marshalled a resolute defence that afforded few goal chances to Kiltale.

At the other end Padraig Donoghue and Anthony Donnelly were to the fore in a dogged Kiltale rearguard that coughed up just one goal.

Former Kilkenny All-Ireland SHC winner Willie O'Dwyer led by example when dropping deep from full-forward as Mullinavat dug out a win and trip to Ruislip next month to play Kilburn Gaels.

Fennelly has a second 'goal' crossed off in the 52nd minute for a 'square' ball infringement as Mullinavat were clinging to a two-point lead.

This close contest was appreciated by vocal supporters on both sides, but Kiltale were unable to emulate their great local rivals Kildalkey who won this title six years ago.

Facing the November sun, Kiltale the game to the Kilkenny IHC holders from the off and rewarded with points from Jack Regan (free), a fine effort from team captain Peter Durnin followed by a Regan score from play.

The pendulum swung Mullinavat's way as Declan Wall's charges responded with four scores on the bounce to hit the front for the first time through Joe Gahan in the 10th minute, 0-4 to 0-3.

Liam Fennelly, John Walsh and full-back Thomas Aylward, with a free from his own 45, completed Mullinavat early quartet of scores.

To their credit Kiltale replied with a trio of points of their own to lead by 0-6 to 0-4 after 19 minutes. The impressive Mark O'Sullivan posted a brace of points while James Kelly got the first of that trio of scores.

Then Mullinvat hit a purple patch. They regained the lead through Thomas Aylward's second pointed free from his own half, in the 27th minute. It was quickly followed by a James Fennelly goal.

The number 13 saw earlier goal attempts kept out by diligent defending with Stephen Donoghue and goalkeeper Shane McGann coming go to Kiltale's rescue.

Team captain Willie O'Dwyer moved Mullinavat five points clear. Jack Regan pulled one back for Kiltale from a free. However, referee Justin Heffernan might have allowed Mark O'Sullivan an advantage as he set off towards to the old swimming pool end instead of giving the free.

Kiltale's best efforts couldn't regain parity as Mullinavat had that bit extra to deservedly claim provincial honours.

Mullinvat - James Culleton; Joe Fennelly, Thomas Aylward (0-2 fs), Seamus Farrell; Robert Malone, Pauric Gahan, Simon Aylward; Dinny Butler, Ian Duggan (0-1); Joe Gahan (0-1), Ger Malone, Liam Fennelly (0-2); Jamie Fennelly (1-0), Willie O'Dwyer (C) (0-2), John Walsh (0-5, 3fs,1 65). Subs - Paddy Raftice for Malone (bs 47), Malone for Raftice (49), Brian Phelan for Duggan (60).

Kiltale - Shane McGann; Anthony Donnelly, Padraig Donoghue, Ciaran Ennis;  Stephen Donoghue, John Donoghue, David Donoghue; Padraig Kelly, Anthony Forde; Mark O'Sullivan (0-4), Cathal McCabe, James Kelly (0-1); Kevin Ryan, Peter Durnin (C) (0-1), Jack Regan (0-6, 4fs). Subs - Ronan Ryan for P Kelly (46), Ross Ryan (0-1) for Durnin (53), Fergal McCabe for K Ryan (56).

Referree - Justin Heffernan (Wexford)

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