Kiltale exit Leinster IHC title race

Kiltale exited the Leinster Club IHC today at Páirc Tailteann when Kilkenny champions St Patrick's Ballyraggett proved too strong and advanced to the decider with a 2-20 to 2-10 victory.

This was another disappointing result against a Kilkenny team for the Meath champions, but they can have no complaints on the day as they were beaten by a better team.

Kiltale trailed by 0-7 to 2-11 at half-time after playing second fiddle for most of the opening 30 minutes against a strong Ballyraggett side who neeted in the first-quarter through Conor Delaney and Seoirse Kenny.

Kiltale certainly didn't lack anything in terms of effort and commitment, but only managed one Anthony Forde point from play while Jack Regan sent over five frees and a '65' and that left the Meath champions those 10 points adrift at the interval.

Kevin Kelly was the main man for a fluent Ballyraggett as he tallied five pointed frees and a '65' that were augmented by Joe Brennan (two), Patrick Brennan, Delaney and Michael Brennan.

The highlight of the opening half was a superb save by Shane McGann that prevented a point and the effort drew generous applause from both sets of supporters.

Kiltale kept it as competitive as they could in the second-half and briefly raised hopes of a recovery when James Kelly found the net 12 minutes after the resumption and with 10 minutes remaining substitute Fearghal McCabe added a second.

It kept the spectators interested, but there was no chance of an upset as the Kilkenny men were able to pick off the points with man-of-the-match Kelly adding five (three frees and a '65') while Joe Brennan, Michael Brennan, Brian Brook-Phelan and Robert Healy also contributed scores.

Note: Kiltale played in the green and gold of Meath due to a colour clash.