Kildalkey surpassed many people's expectations by qualifying for their first senior hurling championship final since 1990 this year. But their defeat to Killyon still came as a disappointment to up-and-coming midfielder Sean Heavey. While 2005 ultimately proved to be Killyon's year in the senior hurling championship, beaten finalists Kildalkey can also take a great deal of satisfaction from their performances throughout the season. Managed by Tipperary native Pat O'Halloran who was assisted by selectors Brendan Harmon, Martin Carr, Nigel Dunphy and Stephen Skelly, Kildalkey surprised many by reaching their first Jubilee Cup decider since 1990. But as was the case 15 years ago when they lost to Kilmessan, the day ended in disappointment for Kildalkey who succumbed to Killyon on a 0-7 to 2-9 scoreline. "Even though we were underdogs, we were confident of winning the final," says Kildalkey's hugely promising midfielder Sean Heavey. "We had played Killyon earlier in the year in a challenge match and despite losing that game by a couple of points, we felt that we had improved enough to beat them. But it wasn't to be and I suppose we couldn't have any complaints after hitting so many wides. They took their chances and that's why they won." A place in the county final seemed highly unlikely for Kildalkey after they lost their opening game of the championship to Trim by 2-6 to 0-16. But a 3-8 to 1-12 victory over Dunboyne marked a turning point in their season according to Heavey. "We got a huge lift from beating Dunboyne. We were under pressure after losing our first match to Trim, so we couldn't really afford to lose again. We showed what we were capable of against Dunboyne and we didn't lose again until the final," he reflects. Kildalkey's third round victory over reigning champions Kilmessan provided further evidence of their steady improvement. David Brady scored a last-minute goal to give Pat O'Halloran's men a dramatic 1-16 to 2-12 victory. With Drumree having been expelled from the championship, they made sure of their place in the last four when defeating Clann na nGael by 0-15 to 1-4. Heavey was the Kildalkey hero in their thrilling semi-final win over Kiltale at Trim. The young midfielder held his nerve to convert a late free which sent his side into the county decider. Kiltale dominated for long periods, but Kildalkey's ability to score goals proved decisive. John O'Donoghue opened the scoring for Kiltale in the opening seconds and they lead from this moment right up until Heavey converted the all-important winner. Kildalkey only managed three points in the opening half with the impressive Martin Doran, Pat Potterton and Sean Corrigan raising white flags. However, Kiltale looked sharper and with Robert Donovan, Peter Durnin, Cathal Sheridan and Donoghue all finding the range, they were well worth their 0-7 to 0-3 lead at half time. The Village needed a lift and they duly got one early in the second half when veteran forward Nicky Potterton rifled the sliothar past Kiltale goalkeeper Ollie Regan. Kildalkey followed the goal up with two points by Heavey to give them real hope. Kiltale refused to lie down and six unanswered points left them four points in front with ten minutes remaining. With just four minutes remaining, Kildalkey substitute Michael Potterton scored his side's second goal to close the gap to one point. A Pat Potterton free levelled matters at the end of normal time and then Heavey was handed the opportunity to become the hero of the hour as he sent over a free from 65 yards leaving Kildalkey fans delirious and Kiltale fans distraught. With Killyon having dethroned Kilmessan in the other semi-final, Kildalkey went into the final as outsiders. Despite this, many Kildalkey supporters genuinely believed that the club could end its long wait for Jubilee Cup honours. Kildalkey's only previous senior championship success was achieved in 1954 when they were controversially awarded the title at Kilmessan's expense, so they weren't lacking incentive in their bid to win a first title on the field of play. But despite making the better start, the Blues struggled for the remainder of the game and were left to rue a huge tally of 17 wides as the pre-match favourites stormed to victory. In contrast to Kildalkey, Killyon showed great economy with their scoring chances, while also coming out on top in most of the individual battles. Early pointed frees from Heavey and former county star Pat Potterton gave Kildalkey an ideal start, but they were always playing catch-up after Padraig McKeown scored the opening goal in the fifth minute. By the 12th minute, Killyon had opened up a 1-4 to 0-2 lead thanks to unanswered points from Calvin Ryan (two), Mark Gannon and James Mitchell. At that stage, it looked as if Kildalkey were going to be over-run, but the switch of wing back Enda Keogh to midfield stopped the rot to a certain extent. They had a chance to get within a point of the winners when they were awarded a penalty, after Killyon goalkeeper Stephen Quinn handled on the ground, but Nick Fitzgerald blazed his shot over the bar to leave the Blues trailing by 0-4 to 1-4 after 22 minutes. Goal-scorer McKeown restored Killyon's four-point advantage before Pat Potterton registered Kildalkey's first score from play to leave three points between the sides at half-time. Shortly after the restart, Potterton reduced the deficit further but that was as close as Kildalkey got, and Killyon stepped up a gear to open up a 1-9 to 0-6 lead. And whatever hopes Kildalkey had of staging a recovery were dashed when Killyon full forward Ambrose Connolly set up substitute Darren Ryan for the clinching goal. Indeed, the losers could have suffered further ignominy had Connolly's late effort not been ruled out for a square ball infringement. "It would have been great to finish the year as county champions, but we would have needed to take far more of our chances in the final for that to happen," says Heavey. "While the final was disappointing, it was a good year overall and I think we surprised a few people by how well we played. Playing in a county final was a new experience for a lot of us and we now know what's required to win it." An apprentice plumber, Heavey was one of several under 21s who figured in this year's senior campaign. County under 21 captain Sean Corrigan, Enda Keogh, Conor Dunne, Ger Geoghegan, the Pottertons, Micheal and Eoin, and Noel Kirby were also part of the Kildalkey team which met Blackhall Gaels in the county under 21 decider. "It's by and large a very young senior team. With the exception of Pat and Nicky Potterton, and Nick Fitzgerald, the majority of us are in our early twenties. So there's plenty of hope for the future." Sean is confident that Kildalkey can build on their progress and is hoping that they can emulate this year's achievement in 2006. "Our aim next year is to get to the final again and to win it. If we put in the same effort as this year, I can see no reason why we can't be as successful. The last thing we want is to be remembered as a flash in the pan. We want to prove the critics wrong again and I think we are capable of doing that," he concludes. The Kildalkey team which contested the SHC final was: G McNally; C Dunne, S Forde, R Geoghegan; E Keogh, D Lehart, M Doran; S Heavey, K Leavy; J Corrigan, P Potterton, T Fox; D Fagan, N Fitzgerald, N Potterton. Subs used: M Potterton, G Geoghegan and D Brady. Tweet

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