Kiltale reach the Leinster final after a hard fought victory over Laois outfit Ballinakill in very heavy wet conditions in Portlaoise on Saturday.

Kiltale 1-13 Ballinakill 1-10
  
This was a very close encounter and Ballinakill got off to a perfect start with a lucky goal from a free after the Kiltale defence lost sight of the ball looking into the strong sun and this score gave the Laois outfit a cushion which helped them keep their noses in front for most of the game.
 
Kiltale were dealt a further blow when they lost corner back Anthony Donnelly after 10mins but they found a great replacement in 17 year old Iarla Hughes who showed experience and strenght beyond his years to step into the breach and anchor the fullback line along with experienced Ciaran Ennis and Padraig Donoghue.
 
Kiltale stormed back into the game with points from Peter Durnin (2) and Jack Regan with 2 more from placed balls.
 
Conditions were very difficult and Kiltale found it difficult to get any momentum and Laois county centre forward Charles Dwyer was causing problems but John Donoghue did a great job curtailing him to a few opportunities from play with most of his scores coming from placed balls.
 
Padraig Kelly and Anthony Forde got a grip in the midfield area and they broke up many attacks and kept a good supply of balls into the Kiltale forwards.
 
Mark O'Sullivan stepped up with a great point after great work by Stephen Donoghue and the move of the game seen Kevin Ryan come out of a ruck of players with the ball and set up Anthony Forde with a goal chance. Forde had a lot to do when he got the ball but he managed to tear through the defence and shoot for goal only to see his shot deflected out for a 65.
 
Jack Regan pointed the 65 and Ballinakill replied with a pointed free from Dwyer to leave Ballinakill a point ahead.
 
Jack Regan got the last point from a free to leave the halftime score Ballinakill 1-4 Kiltale 0-7
 
 Kiltale started the second half brightly and John Donoghue was unlucky to have a free awarded against him as he soloed out of defence and Dwyer slotted over the bar. 
It was tick for tat for most of the second half with Jack Regan and Dwyer sharing scores from placed balls.
 
James Kelly and Mark O'Sullivan started to run at the Ballinakill defence who drawn into committing fouls and Jack Regan pointed the resulting frees.
 
James Kelly found Peter Durnin with a great pass after great work by Cathal McCabe and he slotted over a point to leave the scores  Ballinakill 1-9  Kiltale 0-9.
 
Padraig Kelly broke through from midfield to score a great point after great work by Kevin Ryan.
 
Jack Regan pointed a free after James Kelly was fouled to leave Kiltale the minimum in arrears.
 
James Kelly again broke through the half forward line and took a pass from Kevin Ryan who off loaded to Peter Durnin and he struck a high ball into the Ballinakill goalmouth and Jack Regan connected in the air to finish to the net and put Kiltale 2 up.
 
Ballinakill continued to attack seeking a goal but stout defending from Iarla Hughes and Padraig Donoghue kept them at bay.
 
Kiltale introduced Ross Ryan and Ferghal McCabe up front and the latter won a ball out on the right, hand passed to the on rushing Ross Ryan who soloed through the Ballinakill defence before finding Jack Regan who hit they insurance point and sealed a memorable Kiltale win.
 
Kiltale: Shane McGann, Anthony Donnelly, Padraig Donoghue, Ciaran Ennis, Stephen Donoghue, John Donoghue, Shane Lenihan, Padraig Kelly 0-1, Anthony Forde, James Kelly, Cathal McCabe, Mark O'Sullivan 0-1, Peter Durnin 0-3, Kevin Ryan, Jack Regan 1-8.
 
Subs: Iarla Hughes for Anthony Donnelly, Ross Ryan for Mark O'Sullivan, Ferghal McCabe for Cathal McCabe, Ronan Ryan for Shane Lenihan.

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