Kiltale stunned Kilskyre with four second half goals, two of them in added on time, to claim the Division 2 hurling league title at a wet and windy Pairc Tailteann last night.

Kiltale 4-4 Kilskyre 1-10
 
Kilskyre will probably never understand how they managed to lose this match and they would have thought when Sean Geraghty struck the equalising point on full time that they had secured extra time.

 
The North Meath club played with the aid of the strong wind blowing into the O'Mahonys end and hit some great points. Simon Deevey sent over the games first score after ten minutes and three quick points in succession from Ronan McGuinness and Tom Shine (2) had Pat Clancy's men 0-4 to 0-0 up after 20 minutes.

Padraig Kelly sent over Kiltale's only score of the half as Kilskyre finished the stronger with further points from McGuinness, Shine and Junior O'Reilly. Despite their dominance Kilskyre never really threatened the Kiltale goal thanks to some great defending from Daragh Branaigan, Padraig Kelly, Damien Clear and captain Sean Carroll.  

Halftime score Kilskyre 0-7 Kiltale 0-1
 
Kiltale introduced Ross Ryan to the forward line at the start of the second and made a few positional changes that had a telling effect. Full forward William Harnan moved to centre back, Padraig Kelly to midfield and Padraig Donoghue to full forward spot but it was Kilskyre who dominated the opening ten minutes. John Carey got Kiltale's second point but Tom Shine sent over twice to extend Kilskyre's lead to seven. The Kiltale switches began to take effect and between the 10th and 25th minute they added 2-2 while holding their opponents scoreless.

Kelly sent over a free before Ryan found the back of the net. Harnan hit the point of the game before another substitute Ronan Ryan gave Kiltale a 2-4 to 0-9 lead. Just when it seemed to be slipping away from Kilskyre Ronan McGuinness found the back of the Kiltale net and they were back in front with time almost up. But the drama wasn't over yet. A ground strike from TJ Lynch hit the back of the Kilskyre net and Paddy Kelly's men were back in front. Kilskyre managed one more attack. Sean Geraghty made a fine catch and raced through to Kiltale defence to send over the equaliser.

Extra time was the most likely outcome but in the 5th minute of injury time there was still time for another play. Padraig Kelly sent a free towards the  Kilskyre goalmouth and William Harnan was on hand to strike a low ground shot to the net to give his team victory.

After the game Dom Reilly Meath Hurling Board Chairman presented the Division 2 Hurling League Cup to Kiltale stand in captain Sean Carroll.

Kiltale: Ollie Regan, Damien Clear, Sean Carroll, David Kane, John Carey, Padraig Kelly 0-2, Daragh Branigan, Conor Shiren, Sean McNally, Padraig Donoghue, Brendan Dixon, T.J. Lynch 1-0, Steven White, Willie Harnan 1-1, Tiernan Mahady. Subs: Ross Ryan1-0, Ronan Ryan 1-0, Iarla Hughes.

Kilskyre: Patrick Baugh, Tom Shortt, Podge Muldoon, Thomas Nugent, Benji Smith, Lorcan Maguire, Colm Mallen, Micheal Geraghty, Sean Geraghty, Ronan McGuinness 1-2, James Baugh, Patrick Briody, James O'Higgins, Simon Deevey 0-1, Tom Shine 0-5. Subs: Junior Reilly 0-1, Dara Farrelly, Kevin Devine.

Referee Paddy Foy Clann na nGael

Tweet

Most Read Stories