Kiltale get into serious mode after solid display

For 30 minutes Na Fianna looked capable of putting it up to Kiltale in this SHC quarter-final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday afternoon, but an increase in tempo and intensity from Paul Regan's side ensured that hope faded fast. Kiltale found another level in the second-half. Their stick work was top class, the pace was lightning and the intensity left Na Fianna trailing in their wake as they advanced to face Navan O'Mahonys in the last four. It was a hugely impressive performance from Kiltale, who appear to be hitting top form at the right time and issued a stern warning to the other contenders for the Jubilee Cup that they mean business. Defensively they were very sound, conceding just 1-6 from play, but it was in attack where they simply blew Na Fianna away amassing a superb total with all six forwards hitting the target. Kiltale's tally included 2-16 from play and also saw both midfielders get on the scoreboard as the 2008 champions turned on the style in the second-half to totally bamboozle Na Fianna. The Enfield/Baconstown club have proved to be doggedly resistant this season, but on Saturday they struggled to cope with the incessant movement of the Kiltale forwards and even the deployment of captain and full-forward Davy Kirby at centre-back did little to quell the Kiltale storm. Throughout the field Kiltale were professionally efficient. David Donoghue, David Kane and Willie Mahady impressed at the back while Stephen Donoghue and Padraig Kelly dominated midfield. Kirby's tussle with John Donoghue was an entertaining battle which the Kiltale man shaded and with Peter Durnin, Cillian and Mark O'Sullivan, James Kelly and Philip Garvey running amok, Kiltale were significantly better than the side they struggled to beat last year. Na Fianna proved their resilience in the opening half as they made Kiltale work for their 1-7 to 0-6 half-time lead. It took some superb stick skills from Durnin to manufacture Kiltale's decisive goal and that gave the winners the impetus to progress. Kiltale led by 0-4 to 0-3 after 12 minutes with points from Mark O'Sullivan, Stephen Donoghue, John Donoghue and Garvey keeping them clear of scores from Barry Slevin (two frees) and Diarmuid Bailey. After converting a free from inside his own '65' Slevin failed to fire an equaliser when he missed from 30 metres in front of the posts and after he hit the crossbar with another effort Kiltale took advantage with Durnin's goal giving them a 1-4 to 0-3 cushion 11 minutes before the break. Garvey, Mark O'Sullivan and Durnin (free) traded points for the remainder of the half with Bailey, Kirby and Sean Griffin as Kiltale maintained their four-point cushion at the interval. If Na Fianna had hoped to keep it tight for the early stages of the second-half they got a rude awakening as Kiltale landed points from Cillian O'Sullivan (two), Padraig Kelly, Mark O'Sullivan and Durnin (free) and a goal from Garvey to move 2-13 to 0-6 clear after just six minutes of the second-half. It was game over at that stage. Na Fianna did pull a goal back when Ollie Regan parried Slevin's long range drive and Griffin followed up to pull to the net, but it was all academic. Kiltale coasted to the win with Durnin and Stephen Donoghue (two each), Stephen White (pictured) and Cillian O'Sullivan adding points to complete the rout and set up a semi-final date with Navan O'Mahonys. Kiltale - O Regan; W Mahady, P Donoghue, D Kane; S Dunleavy, D Donoghue, A Donnelly; S Donoghue (0-3), P Kelly (0-1); J Kelly (0-1), J Donoghue (0-1), M O'Sullivan (0-2); C O'Sullivan (0-3), P Durnin (1-5 three frees), P Garvey (1-2). Subs - C Sheridan for Dunleavy half-time, S White (0-1) for Sheridan 40mins, C McCabe for M O'Sullivan 51m, D Dixon for J Donoghue 56m, TJ Lynch for Kane 59m. Na Fianna - D Reilly; M Burke, B Flynn, P Coffey; C Cosgrave, D Gleeson, N Reilly; D Lyons, D Bailey (0-2); B Slevin (0-6 five frees), S Griffin (1-1), S Burke; P Hanley (0-1), D Kirby (0-1), E Reilly. Subs - D Hendrick for Lyons 37mins, C Flynn for S Burke 37m, M Coffey for E Reilly 47m, M Kelly for Hanley 56m. Referee - Donal Smyth (Navan O'Mahonys).