Having contested two intermediate hurling finals in the last four years while reaching the semi-finals on an annual basis, Kilskyre can't be blamed for wondering will they ever have a change of fortune. Chairman Christy Smyth is confident that this year's success in the 2002 minor championship can help build towards their ultimate goal. Kilskyre lost both the 1999 and 2002 finals to Dunboyne and Wolfe Tones respectively with both matches being close affairs that could have went either way. Their last adult success came in 1994 in the intermediate championship, having won a junior title two years previously, but a minor title was brought home to the north Meath club in March this year. The 2002 minor B championship was not concluded until the spring of this year, but it was worth the wait for Kilskyre as they defeated neighbours Moylagh in the final, played in Athboy on Saturday March, 15. And Christy believes that this magnificent achievement by the youngsters will benefit the intermediate side over the next few years, although a number of that victorious side have already made the breakthrough. "It was a brilliant display by our minor side and they are a great bunch of lads and credit must go to the three men who looked after them in the last few years, Donie Geraghty, Paddy Muldoon and Mark Owens," said Christy. "The majority of these lads are already on the intermediate panel, while Derek Muldoon, Niall Geraghty, Padraig Muldoon, Terence Fagan, Keith McGuinness and Cillian Porter have all played championship hurling this year." It took a couple of injury time points from Terence Fagan and Padraig Muldoon to secure the victory in an exciting minor B final which was played in glorious conditions. The winners had some excellent performances from goalkeeper Derek Muldoon, Niall Geraghty, Brendan Smyth, Padraig Muldoon and Fagan to name but a few and they thoroughly deserved their win. Kilskyre dominated the opening exchanges between the sides and looked like they would run out easy winners but their neighbours had other ideas and the Moylagh defence held firm despite being under constant pressure in the first half. Indeed it was Moylagh who lead at the interval by 0-3 to 0-2 and their star player Joe Melia put over two points just after the restart to extend their lead to three points. Substitute Simon Deevey turned the game around in Kilskyre's favour as he scored the only goal of the game which drew the sides level. Moylagh's cause was not helped by the dismissal of one of their players, although Melia did give them the lead a few minutes later and it looked like the boys in green would hold out. But Muldoon fired over two points late on with Fagan also finding the range to give the lads from Kilskyre a deserved victory in a pulsating and entertaining contest. The underage hurling scene in the area had fallen by the wayside down through the years as numbers were low in the sparsely populated area and Christy admits that a new incentive has been put in place over the last few years whereby coaching has begun in the national schools in the locality. "We have supplied the schools with hurls, balls and helmets, while some of the players like the Muldoon's have given up their spare time to coach the children in the schools. The teachers have noticed the work we are doing and have given their full backing," pointed out the hardworking chairman. "The emphasis is to get the kids to enjoy the game with it being more of a social entertainment. Sport is all about bonding friendships and our aim is to do that as it will benefit both the club and the youngsters." During this time the intermediate panel were beginning to prepare for their campaign with the same management team in place that had brought the side to last year's decider. Dundery clubman Ned Howley was once again handed the reigns as manager and trainer of the side while he was ably assisted in selecting the team by Gene Tunney and James Reilly. Hopes were high that the side could go one step further than they did in the 2002 championship and their emphatic win over Trim in their opening match in the championship suggested that their fortunes may have been about to change. "Luck has deserted us in recent years and our fortunes have to change at some stage, we are fully convinced that this side can hold their own in the senior championship. We have a number of young players coming through and added with the experienced players already there, this side is well capable of winning the intermediate championship. "We started the year with the same panel and management team as last year and we were very hopeful that with a bit of luck on our side, we could go the whole way," admitted Christy. Kilskyre then hit a bad patch after they lost to Drumree and Athboy in quick succession before regaining their composure with a 13 point win over Donaghmore/Ashbourne which was followed by wins over Na Fianna, Blackhall Gaels and Kells to complete the group stages of the championship and leave the north Meath side with ten points and a place in the semi-finals guaranteed. Drumree awaited Kilskyre in the last four and although the men from near Dunshaughlin had beaten Howley's troops earlier in the year, there was a strong belief in the club that a win could be achieved. As the game progressed it looked like Kilskyre would make it through to the final as they lead for most of the match and with just five minutes of the match remaining, they lead by four points, but Drumree staged a remarkable comeback to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat and win by two points, 1-11 to 1-09. Heartbreak once again for Kilskyre as lady luck had deserted them yet again. "We felt a little hard done by against Drumree, but fair play to them they showed that they were a good side by going on and winning the final very easily. It actually hurt us more seeing that final as we knew we were good enough to win, but decisions did not go our way in the semi-final but that's hurling for you," stressed Christy. "We look at Dunboyne who narrowly beat us in the 1999 final in Boardsmill and see them contesting their second senior final this year and there's no doubt that Kilskyre can do the same if we stick together." Christy has two sons playing on the team, Barry who is full-back and was this year's captain and Alan, who operates around the half forward line and with 10 of the team still under 25, the future looks bright for the Kilskyre club. The club also have one of the finest grounds in the county with their playing surface being talked about by many an envious club official and players alike. But due to the location of the small village, they have missed out on 'big' championship matches with the 2001 intermediate hurling final and Gaeil Colmcille's clash with Oldcastle in the SFC being the only games of major significance to be fixed there, a fact that hits a nerve with a number of Kilskyre officials. "The grounds have been admired by many although there is still work to be done, a new drainage system is to be put in place shortly, while a number of small jobs are to be carried out in the very near future. "We acknowledge the fact that the location of the grounds is not geographically perfect for the fixing of many matches but we do feel slightly aggrieved by the lack of games the club have had to entertain," he added. There is no doubt that the Kilskyre club are on the rise and it is only a matter of time before they will be competing in for the SHC title and with men like Christy Smyth helping to lead the way, they could follow in the footsteps of Dunboyne in the very near future. For the record the victorious Minor side were: Derek Muldoon, Philip Davis, Conor Maguire, Gerry Smith, Dessie O'Reilly, Niall Geraghty, Cillian Porter, Terence Fagan, John Farrell, Brendan Smyth, Alan Shannon, Lorcan Maguire, Padraig Muldoon. Tweet

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