Kildalkey send out a warning

Not for the first time this year, Kildalkey sent out a strong warning to all Jubilee Cup contenders that they are in great form and will take a lot of beating if they are to be prevented from winning the SHC. Sunday"s demolition of Killyon at Boardsmill is an adequate reflection of how good Kildalkey are. Killyon were abysmal and accepted their fate long before the end. However, they were simply out-classed and even if Killyon had hurled to the full extent of their abilities they would still have struggled to contain the 'villagers." Just three years ago Killyon claimed the Jubilee Cup with a rousing final victory over Kildalkey, but the roads down which both clubs have travelled since are in the complete opposite directions. Killyon were a poor outfit with several absentees and a lack of hunger that now sees them dragged into a potential relegation dogfight. For Kildalkey their stock is very much in the ascendancy. They were competently efficient in every department. Defensively strong with Stephen Corrigan, Eoin Potterton, Sean Corrigan and Mairtin Doran, resoundingly superior at midfield because of the excellence of Conor Dunne and Tony Fox and unerringly accurate in attack with Noel Kirby taking the plaudits with 13 points and Sean Heavey also to the fore. There was simply no stopping Kildalkey. Their stick work was superb, their commitment was unquestionable and despite a 12-week layoff since the last round of the championship they were amazingly fit and fast. The ruthless efficiency was evident from the off. Points from Kirby and Fox had Kildalkey ahead before Killyon even managed an attack. The Hill of Down men"s first foray forward forced Gary McNally into a fine save to deny Johnny Mitchell, but Kildalkey never looked in danger. Kirby and Fox made it 0-4 to 0-0 before Ray Massey settled Killyon with a converted free. Kildalkey continued to be rampant and Killyon were stretched to their limits to try to contain them and often had to revert to illegal tactics to slow Kildalkey down. All infringements within 70 metres were punished by Kirby. The ace attacker pointed twice either side of a fine Clayton Keegan effort to give Kildalkey a 0-8 to 0-2 lead early in the second quarter. J J Gilsenan"s brilliant point threatened to spark Killyon into life, but instead it was Kildalkey who responded like champions. Stephen Quinn brilliantly tipped Enda Keogh"s goalbound effort over the bar and Geoghegan and Padraig Keogh followed with magnificent points. It was real exhibition stuff from Kildalkey. Padraig Geoghegan and Fox pointed either side of another Massey free to ensure the winners enjoyed a comfortable half-time, leading by 0-13 to 0-5. By the end of the third-quarter that lead was stretched to 0-20 to 0-5 following scores from Kirby (three), Heavey (two), Doran and Enda Keogh. It was fast becoming embarrassing for Killyon and Kirby pointed three more times with Heavey and Enda Keogh also got on target. Massey pointed Killyon"s first score of the second-half three minutes from the end. Kildalkey - G McNally; E Potterton, S Forde, D Laharte; P Geoghegan (0-2), S Corrigan, M Doran (0-1); C Dunne, T Fox (0-3); P Keogh (0-1), M Keogh, N Kirby (0-13, 10 frees, one '65"); E Keogh (0-3), S Heavey (0-3), G Geoghegan. Killyon - S Quinn; J Quinn, D Mitchell, S Mitchell; P McKeown, B Perry, D Kennedy; C Keegan (0-3), J J Gilsenan (0-1); B Quinn, R Massey (0-3 three frees), D Raleigh; J Mitchell, M Gannon, B Pollack. Sub - D Ryan for J Mitchell 39 mins. Referee - David Troy (Drumree).