SHC semi-final: Sub Conneely ends Dunboyne dream
September 16, 2017
Kildalkey's Mairtin Doran with Michael O'Grady Dunboyne during the Meath SHC semi final at Pairc Tailteann.
Sub Paddy Connneely's struck 1-1 late on to decide this engrossing Ted Murtagh SHC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon
Kildalkey ....... 1-12
Dunboyne ...... 0-14
Conneely's goal left it 1-11 to 0-12. Dunboyne recovered to level matters through a brace of Sean McGrath long range placed balls. With the hour almost up Conneely added a point to decide matters.
The outcome was hard on a spirited Dunboyne side who rallied well from the concession of the game's only goal. Their wait for a first SHC since 1914 goes on.
Twice in the final quarter Dunboyne led by the minimum margin with points from Daragh Gilmartin (free) and sub Jack Cox (the latter score left it 0-12 to 0-11 seconds before Conneely's goal.
Conneely's goal was the lift Kildalkey needed and they maintained momentum with some diligent defending.
Dunboyne's Sean McGrath - who operated effectively in a sweeper role trebled his tally with two late long range frees that tied the scores for the third and final time.
Kildalkey passed up a couple of chances to ease the nerves of their supporters but Conneely's late score proved decisive.
Kildalkey moved three points clear twice in the third quarter before a McGrath free from distance levelled for the third and final time at 0-10-all with 37 minutes gone.
Daragh Gilmartin (free) regained the lead for Dunboyne around the mid-point of the half. They did so again through sub Jack Cox after Sean Heavey tied the scores in the 51st minute.
It was the prelude to an exciting climax where Conneely's interventions proved decisive.
Playing towards the town end, Dunboyne took the game to Kildalkey with early scores from Neil Hackett and Daragh Gilmartin (free).
As in their previous outing against Ratoath, Kildalkey took a free minutes to settle having gone 0-1 to 0-4 down after 11 minutes.
Kildalkey once again put a slow start behind them. They turned the game in the second quarter with six scores on the spin and went on to lead by 0-8 to 0-6 at half-time.
John Greville's charges posted the first score of the second-half through Evan Fitzgerald to go three clear. Stephen Reilly's charges weren't too far away.
Kildalkey - Paul Fagan; Padraig Keogh, Enda Fitzgerald, Mairtin Doran; Maurice Keogh, Padraig Geoghegan, Mark Healy; Briain Kelly, Evan Fitzgerald (0-4); Conor Kearney (0-3, 2fs), Padraiig Potterton (0-1), James McNally (0-1); Gary Kellly, Luke Rickard, Sean Heavey (0-2). Subs - Paddy Conneely (1-1) for Mark Healy (50), Martin Healy for Rickard (57).
Dunboyne - Paul Gannon; Eoghan Ryan, Niall Watters, Jack Delaney; Conor O'Shea, Sean McGrath (0-4), Alan Watters; Michael O'Grady, Killian Smith; Neil Hackett (0-2), Sean Quigley 0-1; Stephen Moran, Niall Smith, Daragh Gilmartin (0-5, 3fs). Subs - Michael Dunne 0-1 for Smith (24), John Watters for O'Shea (ht), Jack Cox (0-1) for Stephen Moran (48), Conor Gilmartin for Hackett (57), Sean Moran for Quigley (59).
Referee - Kevin Brady (Louth)
