Kiltale focused on 2021 SHC
Can Kiltale get back the Jubilee Cup? That's one of the questions that remain to be answered whenever actions resumes on the playing fields of Meath and the SHC gets underway - after the completion of the 2020 decider.
This year Kiltale will once more be under the guidance of Brian Gilsenan, a man who has been there, done that when it comes to management.
This is Gilsenan's third term as manager and he will be hoping that the combination of effort, skill and a dollop of good fortune will help him and his team back to the promised land. This year Gilsenan will be assisted by selectors Paddy Kelly, Denis O'Shea, Declan Regan and Johnny Carey.
Kiltale achieved a coveted five-in-row of SHC crowns between 2014 and 2018 with Gilesnan making a hefty contribution wearing the bainisteoir bib in what was a golden age for the club. Now he will be hoping he and his team can work the magic once again.
He first took over as Kiltale manager in 2014 when he replaced Martin Ennis who moved on to manage the senior county side. At the first time of asking Gilsenan guided the team to a Jubilee Cup triumph. Kiltale also put in a concerted run in the Leinster IHC defeating Wexford side Shamrocks 3-15 to 1-10 before putting up a spirited performance against Mullinavat, narrowly losing out 0-13 to 1-13 to the Kilkenny giants.
He then stepped down as manager with Trevor Cummins and Cathal Sheridan guiding Kiltale to Jubilee Cup triumphs. When his club called Gilsenan again responded taking charge in 2017 to guide the team to another SHC triumph.
He stepped away once more to allow David Troy take charge. Troy led the team to the five-in-a-row in 2018 in what was was a remarkable feat for the club.
Gilsenan once more stepped forward and took charge of Kiltale last year however the team were unable to reclaim their place at the top of the Meath hurling hierarchy.
Kiltale chairman Stephen McCormack says the club is looking forward to returning to action on the field, but in the meantime they have made considerable improvements to their home ground including a walkway for local residents.
"A big focus for the club was to provide a walkway so that members of the local community can get out and get some exercise that's, very important at this point in time," he said.