Kildalkey claim successive titles in junior final thriller

Kildalkey captured the JHC title for the first time in 40 years in fine style at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday when they proved too strong for Ratoath in a decider which produced an abundance of good hurling that kept the large crowd on the edge of their seats throughout. Ratoath's cause wasn't helped by the second-half dismissal of wing-back Diarmuid Brennan who received a straight red card from referee Gus Martyn after only four minutes. Despite that setback, Ratoath remained in contention until the last two minutes when Kildalkey's Ray Geoghegan flashed the sliotar to the net from a Colm Kane centre after a point attempt came back off the post. Sunday's victory made it back-to-back titles for Kildalkey following last year's Div 2 HC replay victory over Killyon at Boardsmill and now they will set their sights on completing a hat-trick in next year's IHC. "We were under pressure early on and we were a bit nervous I suppose, but the introduction of Sean Heavey helped to settle us a bit, it was a big step up from the Div 2 grade last year and it was great to win the trophy," commented Sean Kealy, a stalwart of many Kildalkey campaigns in the past. Kildalkey got off to a great start with a fourth minute goal from Francis Doran which helped his side into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead with Patrick Conneely claiming the point from a free after only 50 seconds. Ross Flynn sent over a massive point from a 70-metre free which extended the gap to five points, but that failed to deter Ratoath and they faced into the substantial wind with great determination. Three points in two minutes followed by a goal propelled Ratoath into the lead. Stephen Gorman claimed the goal and a point with Eoghan McMahon and Damien O'Meara also on the mark. The large contingent of Ratoath supporters had more reasons to cheer soon after when O'Meara got on the end of a good centre and finished to the net, but Kildalkey refused to lie down and were back in contention by half-time as they trailed by only two points, 1-6 to 2-5. Conneely sent over three more frees and Doran added one from play while Ratoath's other points arrived from Gorman and O'Meara. Kildalkey resumed smartly and a brace of points from Conneely drew the sides level within a minute of the resumption, but Philip Lanigan pointed Ratoath in front again before Brennan departed. That handed the initiative to Kildalkey, but they deployed corner back Padraig Potterton as the extra man and he rarely ventured outside the 20-metre line. The sides were level five times in an action-pcked second-half and that late Geoghegan goal proved decisive for Kildalkey on the road to victory. Also vital was Conneely's nine-point haul, seven frees, along with the performances of Heavey, Doran and team captain Karl Leavy. "All the players gave great commitment his year, but we also had great support for a small parish and I'd like to thank all our supporters," commented Leavy after he received the Royal Meath Association Cup from hurling chairman Francis Lynch. Kildalkey - T Masterson; C Ward, S Dunne, P Potterton; R Flynn (0-1, free), J Anderson, M Potterton; W McNamara, K Leavy; C Egan (0-1), S Kealy, F Doran (1-2); C Kane, D Brady (0-1), P Conneely (0-9, seven frees). Subs - S Heavey for McNamara 15 mins; R Geoghegan (1-0) for Kealy 23m; Kealy for Egan 54m. Ratoath - G Crowley; J Crehan, P Kirwan, K Fahy; D Brennan, M Brazil, B Crowley; K Fitzmaurice, P Flaherty; E McMahon (0-2), C Gilhooly, M Conmy; P Lanigan (0-1), S Gorman (1-2), D O'Meara (1-3). Subs - S McMahon (0-1) for Gilhooly 39 mins; P O'Hanrahan for Lanigan 42m; P Cummins for Conmy 52m; J Brady for Flaherty 58m. Referee - Gus Martyn (Dunderry)