Kildalkey clinch Jubilee Cup in stunning style

Inspired by the sublime Paddy Conneely Kildalkey dethroned the kings of Meath hurling Kiltale and claimed the Jubilee Cup crown for themselves following a thrilling 1-17 to 0-11 victory at Pairc Tailteann this afternoon.

Chasing six successive Meath SHC titles proved to be a bridge too far for Kiltale and they can have no complaints as Kildalkey employed a superb game plan and stifled the champions and laid a platform that proved unshakable.

Conneely was poutstanding for the winners with eight points and he deserevedly picked up the 'man-of-the-match award, but it was a superb team display with Gary Kelly and David Harmon locking down the defence, while Podger Geoghegan, Mairtin Doran and Sean Heavey rolled back the years with memorable, crucial displays.

The nine-point marging of defeat reflects harshly on Kiltale. With six minutes to go they were only three adrift and were still very much in contention, but in the closing stages Paddy Potterton got in for a brilliant goal and as Kildalkey defended resolutely they broke for further points from Conneely, Nicky Potterton and Brendan McKeon to wrap up a memorable victory.

The hits were hard and often and for the opening 10 minutes both sets of players seemed more intent on laying down a marker than going for scores.

Adam Murphy eventually broke the deadlock in the sixth minute to give Kiltale the lead, but four minutes later Sean Heavey brought the sides level for the first of seven times in an enthralling opening half.

A massive free from Paddy Conneely edged Kildalkey in front for the first time in the 12^th minute and that score opened the floodgates with both sides serving up an absolute belter of a contest.

Mark O'Sullivan restored parity before producing an exquisite piece of skill to set up Peter Durnin for an outstanding score to make it 0-3 to 0-2. However the teams were still tied at the end of the opening quarter when Conneely converted a free.

O'Sullivan blasted over a goal chance in the 16^th minute and when Cathal McCabe lofted over an outstanding score from the left-hand-side it put two between the sides for the first time, 0-5 to 0-3.

Kildalkey's response was mignificent, particularly from Conneely as he followed a converted free with two brilliant points to put his side 0-6 to 0-5 ahead after 22 minutes.

Padraig Kelly levelled it up for the fifth time 30 seconds later, but again Conneely proved unstoppable with a superb score to edge his side ahead once more.

O'Sullivan made it 0-7 each four minutes before the break, but there was still time for four more scores with Podger Geoghegan lofting over two unbelieveable points from inside his own 65-metre line, either side of a Jack Regan free, before Luke Rickard ensured a 0-10 to 0-8 interval lead for the challengers.

The scoring rate dipped after the break with Kiltale managing just three further points as Kildalkey locked up the shop and held what they had.

Brin Kelly and Heavey extended the two-point interval lead to four before a Jack Regan free and a superb score from O'Sullivan made it 0-10 to 0-12 in the 38^th minute.

Nicky Potterton had to settle for a point from a goal chance and when Conneely added a free it made it 0-14 to 0-10 at the end of the third-quarter.

Kildalkey manager Pat o'Halloran implored his players to hold their discipline “no frees, we've the job done” he screamed from the sideline and they did as they were told, although Regan did close Kiltale's account from aplaced ball in the 50^th minute.

Murphy did miss a great goal chance three minutes later and following that let off Kildalkey kciked on with Paddy Potterton's goal ensuring the Jubilee Cup would return to Kildalkey for the first time since they completed their three-in-a-row in 2011.

SCORERS

Kildalkey – Paddy Conneely 0-8 five frees; Paddy Potterton 1-0; Sean Heavey 0-2; Nicky Potterton 0-2; Padraig Geoghegan 0-2; Luke Rickard 0-1; Brin Kelly 0-1; Brendan McKeon 0-1.

Kiltale – Mark O'Sullivan 0-4; Jack Regan 0-3 frees; Adam Murphy 0-1; Peter Durnin 0-1; Cathal McCabe 0-1; Padraig Kelly 0-1.

TEAMS

Kildalkey – Mark McCormack; David Conneely, Gary Kelly, Brin Kelly; James McNally, David Harmon, Mairtin Doran; Paddy Potterton, Padraig Geoghegan; Luke Rickard, Kevin McKeon, Sean Heavey; Nicky Potterton, Paddy Conneely, Brendan McKeon. Subs – Evan Fitzgerald for K McKeon half-time, Mark Healy for Fitzgerald 53 mins, Noel Kirby for Rickard 59m, Derek Doran for N Potterton 63m.

Kiltale – Shane McGann; Iarla Hughes, Philip Garvey, David Donoghue; Stephen Donoghue, Ronan Ryan, James Kelly; Willie Mahady, Padraig Kelly; Adam Murphy, Cathal McCabe, Jack Regan; Ross Ryan, Peter Durnin, Mark O'Sullivan. Subs – Fearghal McCabe for Mahady 39mins, Eamonn Ryan for Durnin 46m.

Referee – Fergus Smith (Kilcock).

 

FULL MATCH REPORT AND REACTION IN TUESDAY'SMEATH CHRONICLE