Kilmessan end long wait for junior title

THE JHC has not always proved to be a happy hunting ground for Kilmessan. They lost last year"s decider against St Patrick"s, but that all changed at Ashbourne on Sunday when they claimed the title for the first time in almost two decades. Driven on by a powerhouse display by half-forward Darren Reilly, the Kilmessan side had too much guile, experience and sharpness for their opponents who hadn"t had a great deal of joy either in this competition in recent times. Reilly slotted over eight points and generally made himself a nuisance to the Ratoath defence who found it difficult to subdue his impish runs and ability to split the posts while under pressure. From frees or play Reilly had his radar switched on. Yet while the half-forward illuminated a sunny afternoon with his display, this was far from a one-man show with Kilmessan proving best in most sectors of the field. Despite playing against a strong breeze in the opening half Kilmessan still managed to put together the most enterprising moves to lead by 1-7 to 1-6 at the interval. Kilmessan, also made the worst of starts conceding a goal after just five minutes. Ratoath"s Colm Kelly lofted a ball into the square and John Kirwin, who had his back to the goal, managed to find the net with a deft little flick over his head that deceived goalkeeper Matt Bissett. The Kilmessan netminder went on to have a good opening half as did a number of defenders in front of him who ensured the Ratoath forwards had limited opportunities. Bissett did well to save a shot from Barry Crowley when a goal looked on. Full-back Christopher Curtis did some tenacious work in his own backline and also contributed two points, one a long range free in the first-half. Kevin Reilly was another who featured prominently particularly in the closing stages when he was full of running, blocking down opponents and always looking to create an opening. His midfield partner Michael Dennehy toiled away in the engine room and topped off his display with a fine point. The Kilmessan half-forward line of Eddie O"Brien, Darren Maguire and Reilly were very effective in moving the ball from midfield to attack. Also good in that department was Danny Maguire who used his considerable pace to blaze a trail up the right wing and create chances for others. The Kilmessan goal after 14 minutes put them in the lead and that"s where they stayed for the remainder of the game. Curtis lofted the ball into the heart of the Ratoath defence from a free in front of the stand. The ball landed in the Ratoath square and broke to Shane Clarke. His shot goalwards was deflected to the net in a crowded goalmouth. The game was full of meaty challenges that ensured plenty of entertainment for the bumper crowd in some of the finest facilities around. The big Ratoath support were ultimately to be disappointed. Their side had plenty of willing workers, they just lacked the graft to deliver a knock-out punch. At one stage late in the first-half Ratoath trailed, 1-3 to 1-7, before a flurry of points from Michael Cooper, Stephen Gorman and their most dangerous forward Philip Lanigan, left them trailing by the minimum at the interval. Lanigan tagged on another point from play four minutes into the second-half, but from then on Ratoath struggled, unable to find any rhythm against ever-more confident opponents and the stiff breeze. Eoghan McMahon was presented with the best chance of getting a badly needed goal for Ratoath after the break however, he was hooked by Curtis just as he was about to shoot and suddenly the opportunity was gone. Richard Crehan also had a chance to find the target in the closing stages for Ratoath. Once again the Kilmessan defence snuffed out the danger before it led to anything. Instead it was Kilmessan who moved up a few gears in the closing minutes with the irrepressible Darren Reilly, Diarmuid O"Donoghue, Curtis and Maguire knocking over late points to wrap up the win. SCORERS Kilmessan - D Reilly 0-8, four frees; S Clarke 1-0; C Curtis 0-2, two frees; K Reilly 0-1; M Dennehy 0-1; Danny Maguire 0-1; D O"Donoghue 0-1. Ratoath - P Lanigan 0-5, two frees; J Kirwan 1-0; S Gorman 0-1; M Cooper 0-1. THE TEAMS Kilmessan - M Bissett; T Horan, C Curtis, E Horan; M Lynch, P O"Brien, M Munelly; K Reilly, M Dennehy; E O"Brien, Darren Maguire, D Reilly; Danny Maguire, D O"Donoghue, L Maguire. Subs - S Clarke for L Maguire 3 mins, S Cummins for M Lynch 59 m, S Horan for Darren Maguire 61m. Ratoath - D Kirwin; M Brassil, T O"Neill, D Eiffe; C Kelly, P Kirwin, K Fahy; K Fitzmaurice, S Gorman; B Crowley, J Brady, E McMahon; P Lanigan, J Kirwin, M Cooper. Subs - J Crehan for Kelly 22mins , R Crehan for Brady 35m, M McGuane for Eiffe 55m. REFEREE Gerry Kelly (Navan O"Mahonys)