Kiltale closed what has to be the most successfull year ever for the club when they completed a 3 in row of minor 'A' titles with this final day win over a very brave Na Fianna at a windy Pairc Tailteann.
Kiltale 2-12
Na Fianna 1-13
Despite it been four days to Christmas both teams served up a very entertaining game of hurling. This was Na Fianna's third game in a week having drawn their semi final last Sunday and winning the replay on Friday night against Ratoath in Dunganny.
Major credit must be given to all the work carried on in Kiltale down the years but particurily to underage sponsor 'GER LYONS RACING' who has supported the clubs underage development policy since 2005.
Kiltale played with the wind in the first half and led at the break 0-9 to 0-5. Eoin Crowe and Ross Ryan posted early points for the winners, Sean Martin replied for Na Fianna as the game entered its 10th minute. Moments later Ethan Devine's shot was brillantly saved by Liam Gilsenan in the Kiltale goals. The boys in maroon and green began to make use of the wind and by the 20th minute had opened up a 0-8 to 0-2 lead with some fine scores from Jack Cummins (2), the twins Ronan and Ross Ryan and corner back Kyle Benson. Sean Martin, who was giving the Kiltale reargaurd all sorts of problems, sent over two fine points and another from full forward Ethan Devine closed the gap before the interval.
The winners lost Brian O'Reilly along the halfback line through injury and he was a huge loss as he was having a major influence on the game and Conor McNally was introduced as his replacement.
Kiltale supporters would have thought that 4 point lead was hardly enough after playing with such a strong wind. Playing in to the wind the winners adopted a ball carrying role. Manager PJ Walsh dropped corner forward Hugh O'Sullivan back to defence and this had a major bearing on the game. O'Sullivan's runs at the Na Fianna defence brought the desired effect and insured his forwards got plenty of ball in the second period.
Mark Slevin sent over his first point in the opening minutes of the second half to narrow the gap. Kiltale responded immediately with an Owens point and the games first goal courtesy of Ross Ryan. The Slevins, Peter (2) and Mark (2) replied with fine scores and the gap was back down to four 1-11 to 0-10 after twenty minutes.
Again sensing danger Kiltale replied with 1-1 and repeat act from before, an Owens point followed by a Ross Ryan goal, after a great run out of defence by Hugh O'Sullivan and the lead was back out to eight. But credit to Na Fianna, despite having played on Friday night they took over for the last eight minutes. Full back Evan Mullally ignited their late surge with the point of the game, Peter Slevin followed suit with two more and a goal from Sean Martin narrowed the gap to two points. There was still time for Na Fianna to find a late winner but, Schilder, Benson, O'Sullivan and Iarla Hughes in the Kiltale defence held firm and the MHC Cup was heading back to their clubhouse on the Trim Dublin road.
After the game Kiltale's Francis Lynch took great pleasure in presenting the cup to captain David Schilder.
Kiltale: Liam Gilsenan, Stephen Quinn, David Schilder, Kyle Benson 0-1, Sean Ryan, Ronan Ryan 0-1, Brian O'Reilly, Iarla Hughes, Cathal Ryan, Adam Murphy, Eoin Crowe 0-1, Jack Cummins 0-7, Hugh O'Sullivan, Michael Burke, Ross Ryan 2-2.
Subs: Cormac McNally, Andrew Gaughran, Cathal Brien.
Na Fianna: Sean Coffey, Ciaran Holton, Evan Mullally 0-1, Daniel Devine, Tiernan McCloskey, Jonathan McCloskey, Noel O'Sullivan, Peter Slevin 0-4, Ronan Byrne, Mark Slevin 0-3, Cian Slattery 0-1, Charlie Bockett, Sean Martin 1-3, Ethan Devine 0-1, Will Flynn.
Referee Cormac Ferguson Gaeil Colmcille
Tweet