Kiltale back in the hunt
Kiltale booked their place in the SHC quarter-finals against Longwood with a resounding 3-22 to 0-8 win over injury hit Killyon at Trim tonight.
It was clear from the off that Killyon were stretched at the back, although they did hold firm in the opening six minutes, restricting Kiltale to a solitary Jack Regan pointed free which was cancelled put by Patrick Coyne's score.
However, then disater struck for the Hill of Down men as their defensive frailties were exposed twice in 45 seconds as firstly Ronan Ryan's long ball broke off his twin brother Ross into the path of Fearghal McCabe who rilfed to the net.
Seconds later Peter Durnin buried a second goal after a good pass from Ross Ryan and it was effectively game over.
A superb point from Keith Keoghan from his own 65-metre line sustained Killyon, but even though Kiltale lost Regan to injury goalkeeper Shane McGann proved an able deputy from placed balls as he converted a free from his own 45-metre line to make it 2-2 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quartyer.
A third goal from Cillian O'Sullivan was the meat in the sandwich between points from James Kelly and Cathal McCabe as Kiltale extended their lead to 3-4 to 0-2.
Safe in the knowledge they had enough done Kiltale kept Killyon arms length for the remainder of the half and countered points from Mikey Mullen (free), Jamie Smith and David Raleigh with scores from Shane Lenehan, Ross Ryan and Cathal McCabe.
Another Mullen free closed ghe gap to 0-6 to 3-7, but McGann blasted a penalty over the bar after Cathal McCabe was fouled and the goalkeeper then converted another free before points from Cillian O'Sullivan and Durnin (free) ensured a 3-11 to 0-6 interval lead for the champions.
The remainder was academic. Killyon managed just two points from Mullen (one free) after the resumption as they lost Clayton Keegan in the 49th minute to a straight red card after referee Owen Ganly consulted with his umpire, as Kiltale coasted to victory.
With McGann keeping watch between the posts and Regan on the bench Durnin took over the free taking duties after the resumption and scored seven points, with four from frees, one from a '65' and a splendid effort from play.
Fearghal McCabe also chipped in with a points before Mark O'Sullivan, Lenehan and Ross Ryan completed the rout with injury-time points to further underline the hunger and ambition of the rejuvenated champions.
Check out Tuesday's Meath Chronicle for full match report, action from winning manager David Troy and photographs from John Quirke.