Dicksboro ........ 8-7
Kildalkey ........ 1-14

Adrian Stapleton's four-goal salvo was the mainstay of Dicksboro's Leinster Club IHC semi-final win over Kildalkey at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Sunday afternoon.

The Kilkenny IHC winners swatted the Meath SHC holders with six second-half goals to prevent Kildalkey becoming the second team from the Royal County in three years to score a significant success at this venue.

Two years ago, Kilmessan defeated Erin Own's in the Leinster IHC decider and for a spell in this game another surprise Meath hurling success was on the cards.

Dicksboro led by 2-4 to 1-6 at the break and five minutes into the second period a Noel Kirby free levelled matters.

That was as good as it got for Kildalkey as Stapleton struck for two goals in quick succession to leave Dicksboro six points clear by the 39th minute.

To Kildalkey's credit they rallied and heading into the final quarter the gap was down to four points (1-11 to 4-6) when midfielder Padraig Keogh sent over.

Just when their lead was threatened again, the Kilkenny city side responded with another brace of goals in quick succession.

Paul O'Flynn was the provider for both scores with substitute Shane Maher netting before Stapleton completed his goal haul and ten points separated the sides with 48 minutes gone.

Another fine Padraig Keogh effort from distance was the highlight of Kildalkey's response. Further goals from Maher and team captain Eddie O'Donoghue added further gloss to Dicksboro's success as they advanced to a final meeting with Celbridge who defeated Glenealy (Wicklow) by 1-15 to 2-7 in the other 'semi'.

Dicksboro opened with the breeze at their backs and within four minutes hit the front through an Adrian Stapleton.

Within a minute a Kirby free levelled matters and the large contingent of Kildalkey supporters raised the rafters when Sean Heavey pointed and the visitors were 0-2 to 0-1 in front.

Another Kirby free doubled Kildalkey's advantage before Stapleton got in for his first goal. A Paddy Connelly point restored parity.

Kildalkey suffered a hammer blow in the 17th minute when an O'Donoghue free from inside his own '65' was adjudged to have been carried over his own line by 'keeper Gary McNally.

A positive response saw Kildalkey's cut the deficit to the minimum by the break. Derek Doran saved a 'penalty' in the 27th minute and shortly after stroked home his side's only goal before another Kirby cut the deficit to the minimum by half-time.

Dicksboro - S. Morrissey; D. Glynn, K. Cuddihy, P. Hogan; M. Fagan, D. Kenny, E. Malone; D. O'Gorman (0-1), C. O'Loughlin; P. O'Flynn (0-1), M. Gaffney (0-2), T. Manning; C. Starr, E. O'Donoghue (2-1, 1-1 fs), A. Stapleton (4-2). Subs - S. Maher (2-0) for Manning (40), D. Ryan for O'Loughlin (46), D. Carroll for Hogan (51), M. Rafter for Starr, P. Henderson for Malone (both 56).

Kildalkey - G. McNally; C. Dunne, S. Forde, D. Lahart; M. Keogh, E. Keogh, M. Doran; G. Kelly (0-1), P. Keogh (0-3); P. Connelly (0-1), N. Kirby (0-6 fs), P. Geoghegan (0-1); D. Doran (1-0), D. Fagan, S. Heavey (0-2). Subs - D. Brady for Fagan (51), E. Potterton for Heavey (60).

Referee - J. McGrath (Westmeath). Tweet

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