Since winning the senior hurling title in 2007, Kiltale have been regarded on an annual basis as one of the favourites to lift the Jubilee Cup, but despite their continued success at underage level, they have failed to reach the decider.

Last year saw Kiltale fall at the penultimate stage of the championship and they were keen to make amends in this year's campaign. David Donoghue was installed as captain and he speaks to the Royal County Yearbook about the campaign and his hopes for the future.
Kiltale were placed in the so-called 'group of death' alongside defending champions Kildalkey along with recent champions Kilmessan and Killyon, while Clann na nGael and Longwood made up the remainder of the group.

To say that this was the tougher half of the draw would be an understatement to say the least, but as the old adage goes 'to be the best, you have to beat the best.'
Kiltale begun the campaign with a clash against a Longwood side that had cemented their place in the senior ranks the previous year, and the opening game of the campaign can always be a tricky affair.

However, Paul Regan's charges set down an early marker and Peter Durnin scored an impressive ten points and as Kiltale played out the final quarter two-men short following the dismissal of Stephen and Padraig Donoghue.
At this point the board read 1-15 to 1-6. Last-year's beaten semi-finalists closed out the hour with six scores from play, the pick of which came from midfielder Padraig Kelly.

With the wind and sun at their backs, Kiltale were quick off the mark, posting five points inside seven minutes.
When Longwood finally opened their account, Kiltale replied with the next five scores, including one effort from David Donoghue that hopped over the bar.
At the break Kiltale led by five points, 0-12 to 1-4. Another Anthony Healy free trimmed the deficit to four points shortly after the resumption. Kiltale's positive response quickly moved them nine points clear with Cathal McCabe getting their goal as they cruised to a 1-22 to 1-8 victory.

"It was the start that we wanted. The first game is always a tricky one, but fortunately for us, we got the win. There was a determination in the side to make up for last year and we knew we couldn't afford too many slip ups given the teams that were in the group," said David.
The next game of the campaign was a repeat of last year's semi final as Kilmessan were the opponents. David was not available for that match, while suspension and injuries left them far from full strength as Kilmessan recorded a comfortable win on a scoreline of 2-15 to 1-7.

"I wasn't at that game as I was away, but according to the lads, they stuck with them for most of the match, until Kilmessan pulled away late on. We had to regroup after that game, but we knew that we could still qualify and to be honest, the defeat didn't take too much out of the squad."

A return to winning ways was needed quickly and this was achieved in the next outing when Killyon were put to the sword. Once again, Peter Durnin was in excellent form and on this occasion, he accounted for 3-9 of his side's tally.
Kiltale held a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage after twenty minutes when Durnin struck for his first goal of the match, but Killyon closed the gap to 1-9 to 0-9 at half time.
Durnin (3) and Stephen Donoghue put Kiltale into a six-point lead before Killyon responded with a goal. However, Durnin soon raised his second and third green flags of the afternoon and the talented James Kelly added a fourth goal as Regan's charges ran out 4-15 to 1-14 winners.

"It was essential to get back to winning ways and we knew that Killyon had the players to trouble, so it was all the more pleasing to come away with a comfortable win.
"From the outset of the year, we knew that a bigger effort was needed and there was more intensity at training than there was last year. Paul addressed the situation and upped the training and in my opinion, it worked very well."
Kiltale still needed one more win to ensure their safe passage through to the knockout stages, but standing in their way were defending champions Kildalkey.

"We knew that this would be a tough match and we prepared very well for it. We worked a lot on our tackling and it paid off on the day."
A last minute point from Davy capped a wonderful display by the Kiltale captain as he manned the defence with guile and craft as they secured victory.
The outcome of this match was not known right up until the final whistle as the lead exchanged hands on a number of occasions. Kildalkey started the brighter, but Kiltale stuck to their guns.

Both sides were guilty of some bad misses during the game but two second half goals from Stephen White and one from a 21 yard free by Peter Durnin put Kiltale in the driving seat but Kildalkey responded with two goals to put them ahead by a point going into the closing minutes. However, Kiltale came back yet again and it was fitting that their inspirational captain should get the winning score.

"We were delighted to beat Kildalkey as they have been the best team in the county for the past couple of years. It was a great confidence boost for us."
Kiltale wrapped up their group campaign with a resounding win over a limited Clann na nGael side and this set them up for a clash against Na Fianna in the quarterfinal.

In recent meetings there hasn't been much to separate the sides and David admits that they were concerned by the threat that Na Fianna posed.
"We were certainly wary of Na Fianna. Any time we play them, the games are generally very close and we expected the same this time around. They have some very good hurlers and as it was their first appearance in the knockout stages, they had nothing to lose and all the pressure was on us."

Defensively Kiltale were very sound, conceding just 1-6 from play, but it was in attack where they simply blew Na Fianna away amassing a superb total with all six forwards hitting the target.
Kiltale's tally included 2-16 from play and also saw both midfielders get on the scoreboard as the 2008 champions turned on the style in the second-half to totally bamboozle Na Fianna.
"The first half was very tight, but we got a great start to the second half and that really won the game for us as Na Fianna struggled to get back into the game."

In the lead up to the semi final, Kiltale left no stone unturned in their preparations as they looked to make amends for the 2010 campaign.
"We had former Tipperary hurler Liam Cahill up coaching us on a few occasions, while Paul brought in something different on a regular basis. It really helped freshen things up ensure that we were well prepared for the semi final.
"Paul, along with his selectors Trevor Cummins, Sean Ryan and PJ Walsh put in a huge effort all year and they really went all out to make sure that we were ready for the game against O'Mahony's."
Kiltale went into the semi final against Navan O'Mahony's as slight favourites and right up until the final five minutes, it looked as if they would live up to their billing.

O'Mahonys trailed by five points in the 54th minute, 0-9 to 1-11, when Paddy Skehan faced up to a free awarded for a foul on the industrious Shane McKeigue.
Three minutes later Skehan landed another free to leave just a goal between the sides. Then two substitutes made telling contributions.

First David Quirke completed a four-man move by netting from close range to tie the scores at 1-11 each.
The loss of the experienced John Donoghue at half time to an eye injury was a huge blow to Kiltale and one that they never really recovered from.

In the 59th minute David Murtagh pointed from distance at the hospital end and Johnny Gorry's men were back in front.
Then in the second minute of stoppage time Kiltale's Peter Durnin was narrowly wide from a 65 and Navan O'Mahonys were through to their first SHC final since 1986 and third in all.

Had O'Mahonys lost they would have been left to rue passing up three second half goal chances which arrived before Kiltale netted.
The sides were level four times before Kiltale made what appeared to be the decisive break. Stephen Donoghue's 50th minute point left it 0-10 to 0-9 to Paul Regan's charges in front. Then substitute Stephen White got in behind the O'Mahonys rearguard to fire to the net from close range.
When Durnin placed James Kelly for a long range point it was 1-11 to 0-9 with 53 minutes gone. It was only the prelude to the dramatic finale as O'Mahony's snatched a 1-12 to 1-11 victory.
"To say it was disappointing to lose that game would be an understatement. We lost our shape completely and we probably needed the experience of John to settle things down in those last few minutes. It was very frustrating to lose, especially after the effort that had been put in.

"We had trained hard all year, right from early on when the footballers and hurlers trained together. We couldn't use the dual status as an excuse as it worked really well between the clubs this year."
Having become an integral part of the Meath hurling squad in 2011, David is looking forward to next year's campaign and once again working with Cillian Farrell.

"Playing with the county this year certainly helped my own game and the influence that Cillian Farrell has had on the side was brilliant. He brought a very professional approach to training and hopefully I can be a part of that again next year.
"We may not have had the best of campaigns, county or club wise, but I'm confident that we can do well on both fronts next year." Tweet

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