Kilmessan's bid for a fourth consecutive SHC title ended at the semi-final stage this year. However county star Stephen Clynch is adamant that the blue and whites will return as strong as ever in the next campaign. In what has become an annual occurrence in the Meath senior hurling championship, Kilmessan were installed as favourites for the title. The draw meant that Kilmessan would be in the same group as Clann na nGael, St Peter's Dunboyne, Kildalkey, Drumree and old rivals Trim. They opened their campaign against the 2004 intermediate champions Clann na nGael and were expected to win this match comfortably. This was not the case as the Athboy/Rathcairn combination rose to the occasion and pushed their more experienced opponents work all the way and although six points separated the sides at the end of the match (1-12 to 0-9) the scoreline somewhat flattered Kilmessan. "The Clann na nGael match was our first of the year and it's always hard to begin the campaign in full flight. To Clann na nGael's credit, they battled hard throughout and will be disappointed not to have come away with something from the match, but we were pleased to start with a win," said Stephen. The subsequent withdrawal of Drumree from the championship meant that all teams in the group were awarded two points. Kilmessan were now due to play a Dunboyne side that they have had many great battles with in recent years. However, on this occasion the match turned out to be a one-sided affair as Kilmessan showed glimpses of their true form to run out easy winners on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-5. "We were surprised to win so easily against Dunboyne. In the last few years, the matches between ourselves and them have been very close. But, we played very well on the day and it was good to pick up another two points. That win gave us a great boost," added Stephen. Being involved with the Meath senior and Under-21 teams, Kilmessan and Dunsany footballers means that the talented 21-year-old is left with very little spare time as training takes up most evenings for the majority of the year. "We have been training with the county two nights a week since last January and during the height of the summer, you could be out three or four nights a week with the club as well. It certainly doesn't leave much spare time and a players' social life is non-existent during these months. It could be said that lads are being asked to do too much without any real rewards, but the enjoyment is the main factor," he revealed. Following Kilmessan's win over Dunboyne, they were now due to meet Trim in the next round of matches. The town team and Bobby White's charges have had some titanic struggles down through the years. Many believed that these two sides would top the group and meet again in the final. However that was not to be the case. The sides met at the end of July with Kiltale the venue. They had been scheduled to meet weeks earlier, but both sides refused to play due to the county hurlers involvement in the Christy Ring Cup. When the sides finally did meet, the match was overshadowed by the tragic loss of Trim footballer James Conroy, who was killed in a road accident a week earlier. Kilmessan dominated proceedings right from the outset and with Nicky Horan in fine form, they never looked like losing. Trim's chances were dealt a blow in the second half when they were reduced to 14-men. A notable feature of the match was the performance of veteran Kilmessan hurler Paul Donnelly who beside contributing four points from play, was involved in the majority of his side's scores. The 0-20 to 2-8 win over Trim meant that Kilmessan were assured of a place in the semi-finals. However, they still had one match to play against Kildalkey. With qualification already secured, it was no real great surprise to see Kildalkey emerge victorious (1-16 to 2-12) courtesy of a late goal, although Stephen stressed that Kilmessan went all out to win that match. "We never go out to lose any game and that was the case against Kildalkey. We want to win all our matches. The club have a proud tradition and that is something we aim to continue." The draw for the semi-finals of the championship saw Kilmessan paired with Killyon. The sides had already met earlier in the year when Kilmessan triumphed in an O'Growney Cup clash. The defending champions were favourites for the match even though Killyon have been making great progress in recent years. It was the underdogs who started brightly and Kilmessan were left reeling by the end of the first half as they trailed by 3-4 to 0-7. Nicky Horan, Joey Keena and Christopher Curtis all contributed Kilmessan's first half scores. Despite their young years, Keena and Curtis took the game by the scruff of the neck and two well taken points by Keena were followed by a Curtis goal, which closed the gap to a solitary point. Kilmessan were now well in the hunt for a place in the Jubilee Cup final, but Killyon hit back strongly and a flurry of points left Bobby White's side trailing in their wake once again. Nicky Horan did his best to single-handedly bring Kilmessan back into the match, but it was all in vain and it was the end of the road for a side searching for the four-in-a-row. Many neutrals believe that Kilmessan may not have had the hunger and desire to win the title following their success over the past three years but when the same question was put to Stephen, he vehemently denied any such claim. "Every player in that dressingroom after the defeat to Killyon was absolutely distraught about losing. We definitely had the hunger to go out and win. You don't train all year just to make it to the semi-finals. We wanted to win the championship, but all credit to Killyon, they were better than us and are a very good team," said Stephen. The success of Kilmessan's under-11, 13 and 14 teams speaks volumes for the strength in depth that the club have with regards underage talent. Each year, they manage to unearth some new talent for the senior team and Stephen admits that these players have the potential to become truly great players. "We are very lucky to be able produce players nearly every year. This year has seen Diarmuid O'Donoghue emerge as a good hurler, while Joey Keena and Christopher Curtis have two years under their belts now and have adapted to senior hurling with great ease." Despite being only 21-years-old, Stephen Clynch has amounted an impressive medal collection that includes 3 SHC, 1 Under-21, 1 minor, 1 under-16, 1 Leinster under-21 and most recently an under-21 All-Ireland B medal. Throw in the fact that he has been named Meath Young Hurler of the Year in 2002 and Hurler of the Year with his club in 2004, it gives you an idea of the talent and ability that the Kilmessan hurler possesses. Stephen has been on the Meath senior hurling panel for the past three years now and was fortunate enough to captain the under-21 side to the All-Ireland B title when they defeated Kerry after extra-time. The Kilmessan club are without doubt the strongest hurling club in the county and the roll of honour emphasises that fact. 2005 may not have been their year, but there is no doubt that Stephen Clynch and team mates will be back battling for honours next year and searching for the club's 27th senior hurling championship title. Kilmessan Juvenile Club This was Kilmessan's most successful year at under-age level in many years. The U11's team won their competition when they beat Trim in a thrilling final they were captained by Declan Smyth. The U13's won there final when they overturned an earlier result against Kells to beat them very easy in the final. They were captained by goalkeeper Kieran Flynn. The U14 team was the most successful when they beat old rivals Navan O'Mahonys in the final they were captained by Scott Bagnall. They also qualified to represent the county to to to Feile in Cork where in a highly competitive Division two they just missed out by score difference of one point to qualify for the semi-finals. The U16 team were beaten in heartbreaking fashion when they conceded two goals in the final minute to be beaten by one point by Moylagh. To every one who represented the county at underage level we say well done, especially the Under 16s of Michael "Beano" Lynch, Darren Reilly and Mark Munnelly who were on the Meath team beaten in the All-Ireland final. And also Paurice Burke, Darren Clynch, Scott Bagnall, Kieran Doyle, Sean Power who were on the Meath team who were beaten in the final of the Tony Forristel cup down in Waterford. We would also like to congratulate the girls Niamh Carroll, Orla Doyle and Julie Ann Stephans who also won camogie medals. Tweet

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