IHC final: Gilkeson points Dunderry to victory
October 12, 2014
Dunderry's Kevin Dowd has a shot a goal as Thomas Nugent (Kilskyre) tries to block during the Meath IHC final at Pairc Tailteann.
Dunderry 2-9
Kilskyre 1-9
Five David Gilkeson points clinched the Uniflu IHC title for Dunderry with a narrow win over Kilskyre at sunny Pairc Tailteann on Sunday
Four of Gilkeson's scores arrived consecutively in the latter stages to repel a strong Kilskyre rally that secured the Mick Leonard Cup, on its first presentation, for the club.
Dunderry had a greater spread of scorers, seven to Kilskyre's three. The eventual winners were more economical than the wearers of black and yellow, registering five wides to the runners-up nine.
Thomas Shine scored eight points for Kilskyre (one from play). He was the only member of the losing side to chalk up more than one score.
Kilskyre featured a significant number of players who figured on Ballinlough's IFC winning squad seven days earlier.
Dunderry, who won by 1-11 to 0-13 when the sides met in the round robin stage, responded positively to Shine's opening score with a magnificent effort from Kevin Dowd in the ninth minute.
Seconds later came the opening goal, which had an element of fortune about it. Alex Walsh's strike seemed to take a bounce off the artificial surface in the goal area and whizz past Kilskyre 'keeper Patrick Baugh.
The opening quarter produced four scores, including Shine's second pointed free. The scoring rate rose in the second 15 minutes.
Dunderry moved six points clear by the 20th minute with the most significant score being Johnny Moran's goal. Dowd and Luke Martyn played central roles in the build-up.
Conor Farrell's 24th minute point restored their two-goal advantage. The wearers of black and white didn't score again before the break.
Kilskyre sliced a significant portion off the deficit when Ronan McGuinness netted at the town end after a strong run by Peader Byrne.
After Shine landed a long range free in stoppage time, Kilskyre trailed by just two points at the break, 1-4 to 2-3.
Kilskyre set about regaining the lead from the resumption despite falling three points in arrears in the second quarter. However, they managed hit the front again through Michael Geraghty in the 51st minute to leave it 1-9 to 2-5.
However, just when it seemed Pat Clancy's men were taking control, Gilkeson's accuracy ensured a memorable day for Dunderry.
Dunderry - Thomas Doherty; David Stephens, Evan Stephens, Conor Dempsey; Cillian Minogue, Conor O'Shea, Davy McCormack; Conor Farrell (0-1), Liam Dempsey; Alex Walsh (1-0), Jordan Martin (0-1), David Gilkeson (0-5 fs); Johnny Moran (1-0), Kevin Dowd (0-1), Luke Martyn (0-1). Subs - Brendan Wright for Moran (46).
Kilskyre - Patrick Baugh; Thomas Short, Padraig Muldoon, Thomas Nugent; Desmond O'Reilly, Derek Muldoon, James O'Higgins; Peader Byrne, Sean Geraghty; Michael Geraghty (0-1), Lorcan Maguire, Colm Mallen; Ronan McGuinness (1-0), Simon Deevy, Thomas Shine (0-8, 7fs). Subs - Charles Brogan for McGuinness (46), Patrick Briody for O'Reilly (47), Gary Reilly for O'Higgins (51).
Referee - Killian Jones (Kilcock).
