Narrow victory for Dunboyne

When you add two exceptionally talented and well coached sides to perfect conditions with something valuable at stake then you are sure of a high quality contest and that is what the small crowd at Pairc Tailteann on Tuesday evening of last week got. The prize on offer for the victors of Dunboyne's SHC clash with Kildalkey was a place in the semi-finals, while the losers would have to settle for a quarter-final spot and a lottery regarding who they might draw. The high stakes ensured a brilliant game and certainly the highlight of the SHC campaign so far, but ultimately it was Dunboyne's marginally greater hunger that saw them recover to earn a narrow victory over last year's beaten finalists. Kildalkey will feel that another game under their belts in the quarter-finals might be of greater benefit rather than a direct ticket to the last four and with some key players expected to return from abroad in the coming weeks they will still be a force. Kilmessan have been the overwhelming favourites for the Jubilee Cup, but both Dunboyne and Kildalkey signalled that they will have a major say in the destination of the old trophy. The quality of the hurling was a joy to watch and with the Pairc Tailteann pitch in pristine condition it made good hurling possible. Only five of the 25 points came from placed balls as both sides tried to play expansive hurling and took some wonderful points with Barry Watters impressing for Johnny Murray's side. The centre-forward wasn't the only impressive player for the winners. Paul Fagan enjoyed an outstanding contest against Nick Fitzgerald and with Ger Barry also doing well they limited Kildalkey and restricted the free-flowing style. Dunboyne appeared on course for an easy win as they led by 0-4 to 0-1 after eight minutes. Neil Hackett opened the scoring before Tony Fox drew the sides level. After that early flurry it was points from Barry Watters (two) and Alan Watters that gave Murray's men their early lead. Fitzgerald settled Kildalkey with a fine score, but Dunboyne stretched their advantage to 0-6 to 0-2 with points from Hackett from inside his own 65-metre line and a scrappy score from the impressive Michael Dunne. Fitzgerald and Stephen Moran exchanged points before Gary Kelly and Noel Kirby (free) closed the deficit to two points. Hackett's goalbound close-range free was well stopped on the line, but the Meath star converted the subsequent '65' to give Dunboyne a 0-8 to 0-5 advantage. Kildalkey's first potential goal threat ended with Ger Geoghegan missing his pull and Derek Doran wayward from the follow-up before Maurice Keogh gathered the poor clearance and slotted over. A minute later Kildalkey were in front for the first time when Derek Doran's goal chance was blocked, but Fitzgerald followed up bravely to tap into the net for a 1-6 to 0-8 half-time lead. Geoghegan stretched that lead inside a minute of the restart and Kelly could have put the game beyond doubt, but his goal effort was brilliantly saved by Chris Kane. Barry Watters and Hackett (free) exchanged scores with a brace from Kirby, but 11 minutes into the second-half came the crucial score when John Watters great solo run ended with him kicking the ball to the net. Within four minutes Stephen Moran, Barry Watters and John Watters stretched Dunboyne's lead to 1-13 to 1-9. Padraig Keogh and Kirby closed the deficit to two before Derek Doran ensured a tense finale with just three minutes remaining. Kildalkey's search for a late equaliser was foiled when Fagan cleared his lines effectively to seal the win for Dunboyne. Dunboyne - C Kane; Sean Moran, Paul Fagan, P Gannon; A Watters (0-1), G Barry, N Watters; G Murphy, G Watters; J Watters (1-1), B Watters (0-4), N Hackett (0-4, two frees, one '65'); D Moran, M Dunne (0-1), Stephen Moran (0-2). Subs - T O'Connor for G Watters half-time, M O'Grady for D Moran 39 mins, C O'Shea for Dunne 55m. Kildalkey - G McNally; S Corrigan, S Forde, D Laharte; C Dunne, E Keogh, M Doran; M Keogh (0-1), T Fox (0-1); G Kelly (0-1), N Fitzgerald (1-2), N Kirby (0-4, two frees); D Doran (0-1), P Keogh (0-1), G Geoghegan (0-1). Subs - E Redmond for Kelly 49 mins, D Fagan for M Keogh 58m. Referee - Gerry Kelly (Navan O'Mahonys).