Kiltale advance to senior showdown as Killyon claim silverware

In conditions that at times resembled a monsoon  Kiltale had to dig deep to defeat Trim 3-16 to 3-14 in the SHC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann today while Killyon claimed the JHC with a 1-16 to 2-9 win over Dunboyne. 

The senior game was the first of the double header and it turned out to be a thrilling encounter with both sides serving up some high-quality hurling despite the rain that fell in torrents for a spell in the second-half. 

The reigning champions led most of the way although Trim also had a brief spell in front. At the break Kiltale led 3-9 to 3-6 with two goals from Mark O'Sullivan while Fearghal McCabe also found the net. Trim stayed in contention with three goals of their own scored by Brian Dowling, Alan Douglas and Neil Heffernan. 

Jack Regan made a big contribution to Kiltale's tally with nine points, six frees while Dowling finished up his team's topcorer with an impressive haul of 1-10. 

In the dramatic closing stages it looked like Trim might rescue the situation but Kiltale held firm to stay on course for their sixth title. 

In the JHC final a James Mitchell goal helped Killyon to a 1-16 to 2-9 win over Dunboyne with Patrick Ryan and David Kennedy shooting over seven points between them.  Johnny O'Connor netted both Dunboyne goals but they coudn't save his team from defeat. 

See match reports and quotes from both games in the next issue of the Meath Chronicle