The 2016 Meath senior hurling championship final sees Kiltale bid for a coveted three-in-a-row.

Standing in their way of achieving this historic feat for the first time in their history are a battle weary Killyon side seeking their first Jubilee Cup success since 2005.

The sides met in the 2012 decider with Kiltale coming out on top by a 1-12 to 0-12 winning margin.

If Kiltale can manage to complete the three-in-a-row, they will also move to seven county titles on the roll of honour list, equal with Killyon.

Kiltale are 2/5 favourites to win the game, but of the two semi-finals, Killyon certainly impressed the most.

The sweeper system worked a treat for them and Killyon manager Declan Mullen and his selectors are sure to use that tactic once again on Sunday.

The Killyon squad

Calvin Ryan has been deployed in that role and he really has shown what an intelligent hurler he is, as his positional play and distribution have been excellent.

Killyon have many match winners from Stephen Quinn in goals, who in this scribe's mind has been the best goalkeeper in this year's championship to Keith Keogan, Adam Gannon and Stefan Kelly to name just a few.

Keogan and Gannon's talent has been well documented, but Kelly is a player who seems to be improving with each game and he capable of causing the Kiltale defence massive problems.

If Killyon are to cause an upset then they need big performances from Ray Massey and David Raleigh, two extremely talented forwards who have only shown flashes of what they are capable of this year.

The Kiltale squad

Kiltale full back David Donoghue is a very good hurler, but he is not a natural full back and this is one position that the defending champions have struggled to fill since Padraig Donoghue manned the position.

Brian Gilsenan's charges will have been happy to come through their semi-final against Kildalkey. Although it was a game that they never looked like losing, their opponents wide tally reached 16 by the final whistle.

No one can doubt the talent that Kiltale have at their disposal and their captain Mark O'Sullivan has certainly led by example this year.

Other players have a great year are James and Padraig Kelly, Cathal McCabe and the ever dependable Stephen Donoghue.

Peter Durnin was quiet in the semi-final, but the former county star is capable of turning on the style in the final, while Jack Regan needs to bring more to the game from open play.

The simple fact is that if the two teams play to their potential, Kiltale will win. Killyon need to take their chances and quell the threat of the defending champions forwards, which they may do with Ryan in the sweeper role, however, expect Gilsenan and his selectors to have a plan. Kiltale to clinch the three-in-a-row, but only just.

Teams from the semi final

Kiltale - Shane McGann; Anthony Donnelly, David Donoghue, Ciaran Ennis; Stephen Donoghue, Ronan Ryan, Iarla Hughes (0-1); James Kelly (0-1), Padraig Kelly (0-2); Fergal McCabe (0-1), Cathal McCabe, Jack Regan (0-7, 4fs, 1 65); Peter Durnin, Ross Ryan, Mark O'Sullivan (2-3). Subs - Kevin Ryan for Ross Ryan, Chris Reilly for C McCabe, Anthony Forde for Durnin, Eamon Ryan (0-1) for Ennis, Shane Lenehan for F McCabe 

Killyon - Stephen Quinn; Andrew Feeney, Brian Perry, Brendan Quinn; Adam Flanagan, Ray McKeown, Thomas Raleigh; Keith Keoghan (0-11, 9 fs, 2 65s), Clayton Keegan; Calvin Ryan, Ray Massey (1-1), Cillian Canavan; Stefen Kelly (0-2, Adam Gannon (C) (0-5), David Raleigh (0-1). Subs - Christopher Dunne for Canavan, Ger Foley for Raleigh. Sub in extra time - Adam Farrell (1-0) for Massey.

Our Verdict: Kiltale to make it a 3 in a row

Match Odds: Kiltale 2/5 Draw 10/1 Killyon 9/4

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