O'Halloran hat-trick helps Kildalkey cruise to quarter-final

Brian O'Halloran's second hat-trick of the SHC helped Kildalkey secure a comfortable victory over Clann na nGael

Kildalkey 4-21

Clann na nGael 1-9

Kildalkey cemented their place in the knockout stages of the SHC with a comfortable win over Clann na nGael in Longwood on Saturday evening. Despite the wide margin on the scoreboard, Clann na nGael made life reasonably difficult for Kildalkey, especially in the opening 30 minutes. Kildalkey did up the tempo in the second-half and a Brian O’Halloran hat-trick helped the county champions pull away from the opposition.

Clann na nGael got off to a bright start and points from Eamon Og Donnchadha, Joe Ennis and Willie Gleeson gave them a deserving one-point advantage after 10 minutes with Kildalkey’s opening two scores coming courtesy of a David Harmon free and Brian O’Halloran.

Evan Fitzgerald and Nicky Potterton edged Kildalkey ahead before Potterton was allowed to make a bursting run alongside the end line in what transpired to be the first real goal opportunity. Potterton laid it off to Paddy Barnwell whose over-the-head swipe was just a tad bit high. Barnwell’s effort put Kildalkey two points to the good and that lead was extended when Conor Fitzgerald added his name to the scoreboard.

Eamon Og pulled one back for Clann na nGael but Kildalkey rattled off five points in succession, during which Brin Kelly became the seventh different Kildalkey player to contribute to their tally. At the half-time whistle, Kildalkey led 0-12 to 0-4.

Joe Ennis got proceedings underway early in the second half but Kildalkey struck back with venom almost immediately when Barnwell set up O’Halloran who had positioned himself well for a comfortable finish to the net.

Clann na nGael had to act fast to keep themselves somewhat in touch and they got a lucky break when Eamon Og O Donnchadha’s long-range effort fell short of the crossbar but sneaked over the head of Caemerhon Smyth. The gap between the sides had now been reduced back to seven.

Kildalkey were keen to put the game firmly to bed and they did just that when two Potterton frees came either side of O’Halloran’s second goal. This time it was Niall McNally’s turn to assist O’Halloran.

Less than two minutes later and only 10 minutes after his first, O’Halloran completed his hat-trick when his effort from the 45’ line slipped through the fingers of Ciaran Fitzsimons and dropped into the net. Within six minutes Kildalkey had extended their lead from seven to 15 points.

Martin Healy and McNally added their names to Kildalkey’s growing tally before the usual suspects, Potterton and O’Halloran put 19 points between the sides. Callum O’Sullivan pulled two points back for Clann na nGael with a couple of points in quick succession.

Kildalkey went on to outscore Clann na nGael 1-4 to a point in the final five minutes. Their fourth goal secured by Paddy Barnwell capped off a fine performance from the men in blue.

Kildalkey – Caemerhon Smyth; David Conneely, Brin Kelly (0-2), Brendan McKeon; David Harmon (0-1, one free), Martin Healy (0-1), Paddy Conneely; Evan Fitzgerald (0-1), Niall McNally (0-1); Luke Rickard, Brian O’Halloran (3-3), Gary Kelly; Paddy Barnwell (1-2), Nicky Potterton (0-8, six frees), Conor Fitzgerald (0-2). Subs – Brian Coffey for Harmon 42m.

Clann nan Gael – Ciaran Fitzsimons; Dylan Doherty, Jack Doherty, Evan Cole; Eoin Fitzsimons, Killian Swain, Odhran Daly; Eugene O’Reilly, Diarmuid O Donnchadha; Callum O’Sullivan (0-2), Willie Gleeson (0-1), John O’Sullivan; Eamon Og O Donnchadha (1-2), Gearoid Breathnach, Joe Ennis (0-4, four frees). Subs – Eoin Kelleher for J O’Sullivan 35m, Aaron Ennis for Daly 43m, Cian Harmon for O’Reilly 48m.

Referee – Derek Ryan