Kildalkey make music as seventh SHC crown is claimed

Nick Fitzgerald's team surge on to victory after dismissal of Daithi McGowan

The shrieking, Banshee-like noise of the vu vu zelas resounded around Pairc Tailteann during much of today's SHC final, augmenting the atmosphere and forming a symphony of sound as the action unfolded on the field.

They were particularly heard when referee Derek Ryan blew the whistle to signal the end of this game that flowed one way then the other before Kildalkey were declared champions (on a 0-19 to 0-16 scoreline) their seventh such triumph in this, a golden age for the club.

This wasn't a classic encounter - it was too stop, start to be considered for that lofty category - but that won't bother Kildalkey or dilute in any way the sense of achievement that accompanies the win ....and why should it?

They did what needed to be done to win this game, taking advantage of the extra man they enjoyed (since just before the interval when Ratoath's Daithi McGowan was red carded) to win out.

McGowan was dismissed after a Kildalkey player was left prone on the ground in his own goalmouth. Referee Ryan consulted with the umpires before reaching for his pocket. Sometimes a dismissal like that can galvanise a team, spur it on to greater efforts. It didn't turn out like that this time.

McGowan is a fine hurler, an integral part of this Ratoath team and his sending off was a real turning point. He was missed as Mike Cole's side sought to manage the new situation as best they could.

McGowan as a real threat for them upfront but for much of the second-half Ratoath didn't even have what could be termed a forward line. Sometimes they didn't have any forwards close to the Kildalkey goals at all as they pulled players back.

Instead they sought to garner scores by shooting from distances - a la Limerick - but they were only partially successful in employing that strategy. They shot eight wides in the second-half. Eight wides they could ill afford.

Kildalkey made use of the extra man to move the ball through the lines and create chances they were well capable of taking with players such as man of the match Evan Fitzgerald along with Brian O'Halloran, Martin Healy, James McNally, Paddy Conneely and Brian Conneely all slotting over high quality points from play over the course of an intriguing encounter that unfolded in pleasant October sunshine.

Those scores were augmented by a flurry of points from unerring marksman Nicky Potterton who lofted over four scores in that second act to add to four he garnered before the interval. Collectively their contributions ensured the Village side went home with the coveted piece of silverware, the Jubilee Cup.

Yet there were certain moments in this game when a Kildalkey victory looked anything but assured. After 16 minutes they trailed 0-4 to 0-6 as they struggled to grapple with Ratoath's direct style - and it could have been worse for the Blues.

After 14 minutes Ratoath put together one of the surging upfield moves they were well capable of fashioning. The move ended with Domhnall Rogers passing to Gavin McGowan. He stepped one side of his marker before unleashing a shot that was superbly saved by Kildalkey goalkeeper Mark McCormack. It was a pure reflex save. Such moments can change a team's destiny.

Ratoath netminder Gearoid Crowley also made a wonder save, somehow getting his stick to a stinging Sean Corbett piledriver near the end of normal time but at that stage Ratoath trailed by two, 0-15 to 0-17, and were already in deep, deep trouble. The moment was significant all the same because it was the closest Kildalkey came to finding the net.

The resilence inherent in Kildalkey's display was seen in the way they fought back from a 0-7 to 0-10 interval deficit to take a stranglehold on the game late in the second-half, with Fitzgerald and O'Halloran especially prominent in picking up lose ball and firing between the Ratoath posts - or offloading to colleagues.

Not that Kildalkey pulled away once they had edged in front early in that second-half. Ratoath clung on despite clearly struggling because of the shortage in personnel. They stayed in touch partly through the marksmanship of Podge O'Hanrahan who finished up with seven points, five frees, although this talented player did, uncharacteristically, miss a few efforts from frees.

The teams were level at 0-12 apiece after 45 minutes. They were still level, 0-14 each, after 52 minutes before O'Hanrahan pushed Ratoath one point in front as the game drew to a close. Fitzgerald then equalised from play for Kildalkey before Healy edged the Village side in front where, this time, they stayed.

The final point of the afternoon was superbly landed by O'Halloran from distance and it was greeted like a goal, the massive roar from the Kildalkey fans - added to the din of the vu vu zelas - echoing around the ground and far beyond.

Losing one county final is gut-wrenching enough to lose two in successive Sundays is almost beyond comprehension but that's what some of the Ratoath players have had to endure following the club's lost to Summerhill in last week's SFC showdown.

Cian Rogers is unlikely to get much consolation from the fact he had a fine game for Ratoath on Sunday, landing four points from play. He was one of those players who was part of that defeat to Summerhill the previous week. Two final, two defeats in successuve Sundays. It's a grim statistic.

For Kildalkey their dream of a treble is very much still on with their Intermediate side due to play O'Mahony in the replay next weekend.

Today it was rightfully all about the seniors and how they made magic on a golden day for the Village in what is truly a golden age for the club.

SCORERS

Kildakey - Nicky Potterton 0-8 five frees, two 45s; Evan Fitzgerald 0-3; Brian O'Halloran 0-3; Paddy Conneely 0-2 one free; James McNally 0-1; Martin Healy 0-1; Brian Conneely 0-1.

Ratoath - Podge O'Hanrahan 0-7, six frees; Cian Rogers 0-4; Tomas Corbett 0-1; Niall McLarnon 0-1; Daithi McGowan 0-1; Padraic Byrne 0-1; Darragh Kelly 0-1.

Ratoath - Gearoid Crowley; Tomas Corbett, Conor McGill, Sean Murphy; Domhnall Rogers, Ben McGowan, Liam Kelly; Ciaran O'Hanrahan, Niall McLarnan; Daithi McGowan, Jack McGowan, Padraic Byrne; Podge O'Hanrahan, Gavin McGowan, Cian Rogers. Subs - Darragh Kelly for D Rogers half-time; Byran McMahon for C O'Hanrahan, Sean Corbett for Byrne both 42 mins, Cian Kelly for Murphy 51m.

Kildalkey - Mark McCormack; David Conneely, James McNally, Brendan McKeon; David Harmon, Martin Healy, Brin Kelly; Evan Fitzgerald, Brian O'Halloran; Mark Healy, Gary Kelly, Nicky Potterton; Patrick Potterton, Paddy Conneely, Niall McNally. Subs - Brian Conneely for Mark Healy 45 mins, Paddy Barnwell for McNally 60m, Kevin McKeon for Fitzgerald 62m.

Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna).