Kiltale 4-16 Kildalkey 2-21
Kiltale as in last years league final left it late to claim victory in a highly entertaining Brendan Davis cup semi final.
Kildalkey started in whirlwind fashion hitting four points before Kiltale got on the scoreboard with a Padraig Kelly point.
Kiltale then got a goal from a 21yard free from Jack Regan but Kildalkey replied with a goal straight away following a mix up in the winners defence.
Kildalkey dominated the remainder of the half and held a 7 point lead at the interval.
Kiltale started without the 3 Donoghue's John, Padraig and David while Shane Mc Gann and Mark O'Sullivan were unavailable. Veteran Cathal Sheridan started in goals.
David Donoghue and Cathal McCabe were introduced at the beginning of the second half.
Kildalkey started well again and ran into a 9 point lead but Kiltale stormed back into the game with a goal from a penalty from Jack Regan after James Kelly was pulled down.
This was followed by a great run by the the outstanding Kevin Ryan who crossed for James Kelly to catch and rifle to the Kildalkey net.
Kildalkey replied with a goal from Padraig Geoghegan after a ground strike.
Kiltale notched further points from Peter Durnin along with 2 great efforts from Cathal McCabe.
Anthony Forde and Padraig Kelly drove forward from midfield and corner back Kevin Ryan got on the end of a move to finish to the net for Kiltale 4th goal.
The teams were level with time almost up before Jack Regan notched the winning score.
Kiltale had great performances from Stephen Donoghue and Kevin and Eamon Ryan in defence.
Padraig Kelly and Anthony Forde got through great work at midfield.
Up front Jack Regan, Ferghal, Cathal McCabe and James Kelly finished very strong.
Kiltale: C. Sheridan, K. Ryan 1-0, C. Ennis, D. Kane, E. Ryan, J. Kelly, S. Donoghue, A. Forde 0-1, P. kelly 0-3, J. Regan 2-6, B. Dixon, F. McCabe, S. Lenihan, W. Harnan 0-1, P. Durnin 0-3. Subs: C. McCabe 0-2, D. Donoghue, J. Carey
Kildalkey 2-21 Kiltale 4-16
Two of this years hurling heavyweights met at boardsmill on Monday evening in the semi final of the Brendan Davis Cup and they didn't disappoint in one of the best games of hurling played so far this year .
This game had everything outstanding individual displays fantastic scores sending offs a comeback from Kiltale and no shortage of controversy at the finish . Both sets of supporters had a draw match at the final whistle (2-22 to 4-16)which was probably the fairest outcome but the scoreboard read 2-21 for Kildalkey and 4-16 for Kiltale.
The boys in the scoreboard were told to take off one of Kildalkey's points five minutes earlier on the instructions of the referee while most people in the ground made it a draw match but apparantly a pointed free by Paddy Conneely which was waved a point by the umpire was deemed wide by referee jones to the dismay of the Kildalkey supporters. It was a pity that such a fine game of hurling ended up in such a way as both teams gave their all and a draw would have been a fitting result as neither team deserved to lose and both sets of supporters would have loved another game to decide the outcome having been entertained for the 60 minutes .This was a game Kildalkey dominated for long periods and were seven points ahead at one stage.
At one stage but Kiltale are not county champions for nothing and persevered and along with a few dubious decisions by Jones clawed their way back into contention James Kelly was moved from centre back to full forward and scored a great goal and won a penalty which the Kildalkey contingent agreed was a free out for overcarrying but the referee saw otherwise and awarded a penalty which Jack Regan dispatched to the net.
Kiltale had their tails up and another goal from the corner back who tapped in after a scramble left a point in it Kildalkey responded through Conneely and Derek Doran but late points from Regan and Peter Durnin won the day for Kiltale.
Kildalkey started the brighter and with Paddy Conneely in super form raced into the lead but a Regan goal from a free put them in front against the run of play 1-4 to 0-6 but Ducksy had the ball in the net the far end to re-establish the lead and further points from Conneely Padraig Geoghegan and Padraig Keogh had the blues in front 1-13 to 1-8 at half time.
After the break Kildalkey forged ahead and looked the likely winners at 1-17 to 1-9 but the penalty seemed to spur Kiltale into life and another goal from Kelly before a tap in goal changed the complexion of the scoreboard.
Kildalkey lost Sean Heavey for a straight red after some handbags and Podger Geoeghan and a kiltale player also got their marching orders in what was a high tempo but not a dirty game it unsettled Kildalkey and the late goals gave new life to Kiltale who looked a beaten docket at the three quater stage but that's what the county champions can do you never have them beaten till the final whistle .
This was a quality game of hurling with all the skills of the game and two committed teams giving their all it was just a pity it ended in a haze of controversy around that disallowed score . Both teams will meet again in the league div 1 semi final in a few weeks and no doubt somewhere along the road in the championship. Best for Kildalkey on the night were Paddy Conneely Padraigh Keogh Podger Geoghegan and Ducksy Doran and Eoin Potterton
Kildalkey team: D Harmon, D Conneely, S Corrigan, E Potterton, P Potterton, M Doran, M Keogh, S Heavey, P Keogh (0-2), D Doran (1-2), P Conneely (0-11) (5f), Martin Healy, Mark Healy (0-2), F Doran (0-2), P Geoeghan (1-2)
Subs: J Murray for Mark Healy