Late Harnan point earns Kiltale side a reprieve

Kiltale earned a u-21 HC final reprieve at windswept Trim on Saturday evening when a late William Harnan point denied Dunboyne victory in a keenly contested decider that was played in difficult conditions. Dunboyne dictated the early exchanges despite conceding a first minute point to Kiltale’s Cathal McCabe, but were rocked on the stroke of half-time when they also gave away a soft goal. Defending champions Kiltale worked hard throughout and had polished displays from James Kelly, Mark O’Sullivan and McCabe in a fast-moving half-forward line. Padraig Kelly and Ian Douglas were solid at midfield where they enjoyed a great tussle with Dunboyne’s Michael O’Grady and Cillian Thompson. Michael Dunne was the main man in the scoring department for Dunboyne and finished with 1-6 to his credit, but Kevin 'DJ’ Carey was also hugely influential for the challengers. O’Grady had Dunboyne on terms from play and they forged into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead through some excellent point-taking by Michael Dunne. The Meath u-21 player converted two '65s’ and a free and claimed two excellent efforts from play as Dunboyne produced some excellent passages of play. James Kelly managed another Kiltale point from a free after the sliotar was moved forward for dissent. Close to the interval Kiltale had a 'goal’ disallowed for a square ball infringement, but they found the net on the stroke of half-time when McCabe scrambled to the net after hesitancy in the Dunboyne rearguard. O’Sullivan, who was a constant threat, capitalised and kept the ball in play before rolling it across the face of the goal for McCabe to finish. Despite facing the elements after the resumption, Dunboyne showed great resilience and increased their lead with a Carey point. However, Kiltale found the perfect response with a goal from O’Sullivan. That was followed by three James Kelly points and one apiece by Harnan and Padraig Kelly which gave the defending champions a 2-7 to 0-8 third-quarter advantage. Dunne’s pointed free in the 12th minute sustained Dunboyne’s challenge. With 10 minutes remaining Dunboyne got right back into contention when Adam Hynes made the opening and Dunne finished to the net, but James Kelly ended Kiltale’s 10-minute blank on the scoreboard from a free with six minutes remaining. Undaunted, Dunboyne replied with a point from substitute Thomas Meyler before Carey punished Kiltale with a goal after the normally reliable Shane McGann fumbled. Leading by a point (2-9 to 2-8), Dunboyne were unable to run down the clock and Harnan sent Co Committee chairman Barney Allen back home with the cup which will have to be polished again for the replay. Dunboyne - S Clince; A McWeeney, S Moran, D Dunne; G Murphy, A Watters, C Kane; M O’Grady (0-1), C Thompson; K Moran, A Hynes, F O’Neill; K Carey (1-1), M Dunne (1-6 two frees, two '65s’), B O’Hara. Subs - T Meyler (0-1) for Moran 46 mins, M Finlay for O’Hara 59m. Kiltale - S McGann; A Donnelly, S Carroll, T Mahady; S Dunleavy, W Mahady, M McCormack; P Kelly (0-1), I Douglas; J Kelly (0-5 two frees), M O’Sullivan (1-0), W Harnan (0-2); C McCabe (1-1), B Reilly, M Hennessy. Sub - A Forde for McCormack 54 mins. Referee - Marcus Quinn (Clann na nGael).