Runners-up in dramatic circumstances to St Patrick's a year ago Kildalkey claimed the David & George Grey JHC title with a merited win over Kilmessan at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon.
Kildalkey 1-13
Kilmessan 1-9
Kildalkey's achievement in winning this championship for the first time since 2010 is all the more impressive given that they played for over 40 minutes with 14-men following the dismissal of Michael Potterton.
Kilmessan, seven points down at the time of the sending-off, used the extra man in a sweeper role but found a resolute Kildalkey defence difficult to unlock.
Over the hour Conor Kearney, who scored eight points (four frees),and goalkeeper Stephen Masterson were particularly impressive for Kildalkey, who were never headed.
Joshua Dennehy with Luke Rickard
Danny Thynne's 47th minute goal - with assistance the experienced Charlie Keena - left Kilmessan 1-7 to 1-10 in arrears.
With the sun at their backs Kildalkey responded positively with two great Conor Kearney points. The first from play and then from a free inside his own 45.
Stephen Masterson came to Kildalkey's rescue when advancing to smother Danny Thynne attempt to goal. Masterson also saved from Charlie Keena and then in the last action of the game he saved a penalty from Kilmessan 'keeper Chris Curtis.
Both sides were sprinkled with names with SHC experience. Last year's runners-up for first to show within 35 seconds of the off when Matt Rickard pointed from distance from Conor Kearney's crossfield ball. The sides were tied for the only time when Anton O'Neill sent over a close range free.
Conor Kearney taps over a point
Kildalkey gained momentum from Conor Flynn's fifth minute goal with Tony Fox and Colm Kane assisting. Kilmessan responded with their only first-half score from play,
Scott Bagnall's sixth minute point.
Kildalkey kicked-on with five points on the spin to lead by 1-7 to 0-2 after 17 minutes. Three minutes later came one of the talking points of the hour, the red-carding for Kildalkey midfielder Michael Potterton. The decision baffled many in the stand,though it appeared to be for 'interfering' with an opponent's helmet.
Kilmessan outscored Kildalkey by 0-3 to 0-1 over the latter stages of the half and posted five wides to Kildakey's two over the first 30 minutes. The pendulum had moved, briefly, in the direction of the team in royal blue jerseys who were just five points off the pace at the break, 0-6 to 1-8.
Luke Rickard point within three minutes of resumption kept Kildalkey on the front foot and they were seven clear when Kearney landed another free at the town goal from inside his own 65.
Niall Thynne and Ger Geoghegan
There was an unsavoury post script with the apparent red-carding of Kildakey's Tommy Masterson and Cathal Egan as well as Kilmessan's Paddy and Charlie Keena after the final whistle.
Kildalkey - Stephen Masterson; Tiernan Bird, Cathal O'Sullivan, Sean Kirke; Kevin Murray, Stephen Forde, Andrew Fagan (0-1); Matt Rickard (0-1), Michael Potterton; Cathal Egan (C), Tony Fox, Conor Flynn (1-1); Colm Kane, Luke Rickard (0-2), Conor Kearney (0-8, 4fs). Subs - Ger Geoghegan for Kirke (30), Gary Watters for Egan (38), Stephen Murray for Kane (46), Dan Fagan for Murray (60).
Kilmessan - Chris Curtis; Gary Leddy, Paul O'Brien, Joshua Dennehy; Richie Donnelly (C), Patrick McGovern, Mark Munnelly; Paddy Keena, Jake Harlin; Scott Bagnall (0-2 1f), Cathal Burke, Danny Thynne (1-0); Anton O'Neill (0-6fs), Charles Kenna, Niall Thynne. Subs - Niall Flynn (0-1) for N Thynne (40), Paddy Lally for Dennehy (46), Peter Reynolds for Burke (53), Paul Donnelly for O'Neill (58).
Referee - Bernard Heaney (Clann na nGael)
Cathal Egan raises the JHC Cup at Pairc Tailteann
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