Kiltale retained the Under 21 HC title at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday when finishing with 12 points to spare over Kildalkey.

Kiltale   2-15
Kildalkey  0-9

Prospects of a close encounter evaporated in the space of four second quarter minutes when Kildalkey passed up a goal chance before Kiltale bagged a brace in quick succession.

Having retained the SHC title with a win over Kildalkey earlier in the year, this latest success emphasises Kiltale's pre-eminent position in Meath hurling by holding on to the Carrigy Cup.

Those scores cushioned the holders thereafter against Kildalkey attempts to eat into the deficit and gave Paddy Kelly's charges something to build on. Kiltale outscored Kildalkey by 2-6 to 0-1 in the second third of the hour.

A further brace of Jack Regan points (one free) moved Kiltale 2-11 to 0-6 clear after 42 minutes. Conor Kearney was to the fore in Kildalkey efforts to erode the deficit. His two goal attempts from frees midway through the second-half were kept out by Iarla Hughes and Conor Shirren respectively.

The athletic Shane Lenihan was a driving force from midfield for Kiltale and the team captain added a hat-trick of points for good measure.

Martin Healy closes in on Shane Lenehan

Fielding three players - David Conneely, Martin Healy, Mark Healy - who started the SHC final, Kildalkey opened brightly. A Conor Kearney free gave them a fifth minute lead. It was quickly countered by a Jack Regan point from a placed ball.

Regan was one of five Kiltale players who started the SHC final win. Ronan Ryan, Eamon Ryan, Ross Ryan and Kevin Ryan were the others.

Kearney restored Kildalkey's lead. By the 13th minute the team in royal blue jerseys were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead when Fintan McLaughlin registered. Points in quick succcession from Barry Dardis and Ross Ryan levelled matters for the second time before the end of the opening quarter.

Kildalkey moved two points by the 22nd minute clear courtesy of Kearney and Mark Healy. Martin Healy saw his 22nd minute goal attempt, after a incisive run, hit the side-netting.

Conor McNally and Brendan McKeon

The pendulum swung Kiltale's way with two goals in quick succession at the old swimming pool. Ross Ryan grabbed the first. When a Regan free from inside his own half broke close to goal, Barry Dardis reacted quickest and the board read 2-4 to 0-5.

Kiltale didn't relent, adding three points from Regan, Dardis and Lenihan to lead by 2-7 to 0-5 at the break. It represented a second-quarter turnaround of nine points in favour of the men in maroon.

Scott Shelly pulled a point back for Kildalkey within a minute of the restart. It was the only respite for the challengers in the third quarter.

The scoring rate dropped in the final quarter during which time Kiltale goalkeeper Liam Gilsenan saved a Kearney free at the expense of a 65. With time running out, Mark Healy's attempt to soften the scoreline was denied by good work from Conor Shirren.

Kiltale - Liam Gilsenan; Sean Ryan, Conor Shirren, David Schilder; Iarla Hughes (0-1), Ronan Ryan, Conor McNally; Shane Lenihan (C) (0-3), Eamon Ryan; Barry Dardis (1-2), Michael Burke (0-1), Jack Regan (0-6, 4fs); Brian O'Reilly, Ross Ryan (1-2), Kevin Ryan. Subs - Kyle Benson for Burke (53), Jack Cummins for Ronan Ryan (55), Cathal Ryan for Ross Ryan (58), Andrew Jackson for O'Reilly (59).

Kildalkey - Ben Rickard; Sean Kirke, James McNally, Tiarnan Bird; Fintan McLaughlin (0-1), David Conneely, Martin O'Leary; Martin Healy, Kevin McKeon; Brendan McKeon (0-1), Mark Healy (0-1), Patrick Potterton (C); Conor Kearney (0-5, 4fs), Luke Rickard, Scott Shelly (0-1). Subs - John Murray for McLaughlin (ht), Aaron Byas for McKeon (53), Shane Reilly for Byas (59), Brian Conneely for Shelly (60).

Referee - Gus Martyn (Dunderry)

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