Kildalkey complete the double in thriller

Kildalkey completed a memorable and historic two-in-a-row at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday evening when team captain Mairtin Doran hoisted the SHC Jubilee Cup for the second time in 12 months. Last year Kildalkey stormed to the title with a sensational victory over Dunboyne which brought the trophy to the village for the first time since 1951. Retaining the trophy on Sunday and negotiating Kilmessan in the final has propelled Kildalkey firmly to the top of the hurling ladder in Meath and they can prepare for the Leinster Club championship. Hurling chairman Francis Lynch acknowledged the marvellous achievement of the Kildalkey players in a brief presentation speech. He also admitted that the brevity had been encouraged by Kildalkey. “Last year Mairtin Doran told me I went on too long with my speech, so I will be brief this time around,” he commented. “This was a great game of hurling, it’s not easy to beat Kilmessan at any time, but particularly in a final. “Kilmessan showed their class as they kept battling and came back with some great scores in the closing stages. “I’m delighted to have Ted and CJ Murtagh here to present this trophy, they are good people to have sponsoring the senior championship. This victory proves that Kildalkey are not a flash in the pan, as some might have suggested last year,” added the chairman, a Kiltale clubman. Doran praised his own players and also Kilmessan for providing a great contest for what was a good-sized crowd. “It’s a great honour to captain this great Kildalkey team for the second year in-a-row,” he told the enthusiastic supporters. “This is all possible because we have a very special manager in Pat O’Halloran who is an absolute gentleman. “Today’s victory if for all the players who were involved in the bad times, now we are having the good times. “We had co-operation from Trim and Longwood in our preparations, they made their facilities available to us and that was a big help also. “I can also understand how the Kilmessan players are feeling, two weeks ago I was on the losing side in the JFC final with Ballivor, “I know what it’s like to stand out there on the pitch and listen to a speech, but I have no doubt that Kilmessan will be even more determined next year, they are a very good team,” he added. The Kildalkey players brought the Jubilee Cup to the local school on Tuesday where they received a great reception from the boys and girls.