Kiltale have to work hard for a semi-final ticket

Kiltale made it into the semi-final of the Jubilee Cup when they negotiated the challenge of Clann na nGael at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday evening, but the performance wouldn't inspire any confidence regarding further progress. "We weren't playing well coming into this match and we were under no illusions, we have a lot of injury problems, we wanted to win the game and we managed that," stated Kiltale manager Paddy Kelly. Of more concern to Kelly and his selectors Sean Ryan, PJ Walsh, Paul Regan and Trevor Cummins will be the manner in which Clann na nGael battled their way back into contention on a couple of occasions. Kiltale were ahead by 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval and by 1-16 to 0-10 with six minutes remaining and still struggled to hold out against a much-improved Clann na nGael side that will take a lot of positives out of this year's championship. "I'm very proud of the players, we were written-off as no-hopers even before the championship started and we proved that we can compete, we're not there yet, but we are well down the road," stated Clann na nGael manager Alfie Devine. Kiltale shaded the first-half exchanges due mainly to the opportunism of Peter Durnin who claimed a goal in the 25th minute from a 20-metre free. Referee Ronan Garry penalised Clann na nGael's Alan McCormack for a challenge on TJ Lynch and Durnin inflicted the maximum damage on the scoreboard with a well-struck free which bounced on the edge of the square and into the net. Up to that stage, the teams had matched each other point for point (0-5 each) with Daithi Geraghty (two), Gary Mangan, Barry Higgins and Jamie Shaw on the mark for Clann na nGael and Durnin (three), Mark O'Sullivan and John Donoghue replying for Kiltale. Following Durnin's goal Kiltale, with the benefit of six minutes injury-time, eased into a 1-9 to 0-7 interval lead. Durnin, Philip Garvey, O'Sullivan and Shane Reilly split the posts while Shaw and Geraghty kept the underdogs in contention. Clann na nGael could only manage a brace of third-quarter points from Gary Mangan and Barry Higgins as they struggled to cope with the pace of Mark O'Sullivan who created lots of opportunities for Kiltale and also shot three points from play. Four Durnin points and one from Philip Garvey helped Kiltale into a 1-14 to 0-9 advantage by the three-quarter stage, but when Robbie Farrell finished to the net with only five minutes remaining it gave Clann na nGael a glimmer of hope. Full-back Pat Shore made the chance when he won possession deep in his own half and delivered a huge clearance which Farrell claimed for a well-taken goal. Stephen White countered almost immediately with a goal at the other end after Willie Mahady made the opening and was duly body-checked by Shore which earned the full-back a yellow card. Undaunted, Clann na nGael managed another goal when Daithi Geraghty rifled to the net from a free, but six minutes of injury-time was insufficient for a complete recovery. Many Clann na nGael supporters were unhappy with some of referee Ronan Garry's decisions, two in particular in each half from throw-in situations. On each occasion a Clann na nGael player required attention from the sideline, but no action was taken. That apart, the referee did not beat Clann na nGael, but those supporters will be greatly encouraged by the improvement in form this year and they will be hoping that the team can build on that for 2010. Kiltale cannot realistically expect to advance to the decider unless they can find some major improvement before the semi-final against Dunboyne in a fortnight. Kiltale - O Regan; A Donnelly, P Donoghue, D Donoghue; S Donoghue, Paul Garvey, S Reilly (0-1); B Dixon, D Dixon; W Mahady, J Donoghue (0-1), M O'Sullivan (0-3); P Durnin (1-10, nine frees), Philip Garvey (0-2), M O'Sullivan. Subs - S White (1-0) for Philip Garvey 44 mins; P Kelly for Lynch 50m; S Carroll for Donnelly 54m; C Ennis for Reilly 58m. Clann na nGael - V Doyle; A McCormack, P Shore, G Woods; D O'Shea, G Mangan (0-3, one free, one '65'), M Mullen; G Breathnach, P Geraghty; B Higgins (0-2), S Ennis, J Shaw (0-2); B Doherty, D Geraghty (1-6, all frees except one '65'), T Matthews. Subs - A Fox for Doherty 38 mins; P Daly for P Geraghty 39m; B McGovern (1-0) for Ennis 47m. Referee - Ronan Garry (Donaghmore / Ashbourne)