Updated: Wednesday, 10th February, 2010 4:44pm

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Hurlers face a tough campaign

by Jimmy Geoghegan

Kildare 2-20, Meath 1-17

Na Fianna's David Kirby helped himself to eight points for Meath during Saturday's Kehoe Cup defeat by Kildare.

Watching this Kehoe Cup semi-final at Newbridge on Saturday was at times like looking at the re-run of an old movie.

There was a real sense of déjÀ vu about the game and particularly the way it started.

Prior to Saturday the last time these two sides met was in the NHL Div 3A final in the spring of 2009 at Breffni Park.

The Lilywhites powered their way to an early lead in that game before going on to win.

Meath struggled to get going and by the time they managed to get their act together it was too little, too late. It was something similar on Saturday.

It could be argued that Meath never really got going at any stage in this encounter as they huffed and puffed against a sharper and more physically imposing Kildare team who led almost all the way.

Manager TJ Reilly and his selectors Anthony Kirby and Brendan Fitzsimons will be the first to accept that there is a great deal of work to be done before they take on London in the opening round of the NHL on Sunday, 21st February at Ruislip.

They will surely take a long, hard look at the defence which was badly exposed against a lively and opportunistic Kildare attack. Enda Fitzgerald, in particular, had a torrid afternoon especially in trying to keep a close watch on Mark Moloney who caused lots of problems with his height and strength.

It was significant that five of the starting six Kildare forwards notched up a massive total of 1-18, the high score an indication of the problems Meath had at the back.

Contrast that with the way the Meath forwads struggled to make an impact on the scoreboard. Only one of the six, Peter Durnin, managed to score from play.

Durnin continues to shine at this level and his goal after 17 minutes brightened up a murky afternoon.

The Kiltale player latched onto a loose ball about 20 metres out and set off on a mazy run that brought him past a couple of bemused Kildare backs and into some space. He didn't need a second invitation as he cracked the ball to the net with powerful drive from about 10 metres.

That kick-started a mini Meath revival and it helped to leave them in contention at the break when the Lilywhites led by 1-12 to 1-8.

The only other Meath forward to score was Dave Kirby who managed eight points from frees, two of them from very difficult angles.

The young Na Fianna man was more than an adequate deputy for regular free-taker Neil Hackett who was forced to sit this game out because of a back injury.

The problem for Meath was they just couldn't win enough ball around midfield to ensure the forwards received a regular supply of possession.

That's not to undermine the role of Stephen Clynch. He gave another classy display particularly early in the second-half when he swept over a series of points from distances and angles that left the meagre attendance in awe.

One score was particularly memorable and came when Clynch slotted the ball over the bar from a good 10 metres inside his own half. He looked like a player who belonged to another planet with the ease and accuracy he was able to strike the ball and create space. One little flick he made late on to dispossess an opponent was also special.

It would be difficult to heap too much criticism on the Meath forwards as they simply didn't get the ammunition to cause any real damage.

Three times Meath came within a point of their opponents in the second-half. Three times Kildare were able to push on and leave the team in green and gold trailing in the rear view mirror.

Meath looked totally off the pace in the early stages of the game and Kildare - who are again managed this year by former Kilkenny star Andy Comerford - took full advantage.

With just four minutes gone Martin Fitzgerald was left with a lot of time and space to find the net.

The Lilywhites second goal after 51 minutes again highlighted the type of problems Meath created for themselves all afternoon.

Martin Horan, who lofted over an excellent point in the first-half, won possession about 30 metres out. He had the ball in his hand only to lose it again. Kildare's aptly-named Chris Bonus took control and sliced through the statuesque defence to fire home. That left the home side 2-15 to 1-14 in front and looking good.

One positive aspect of this display was that some of the younger players in the panel such as Rathmolyon's Mark Lynch and Kiltale's Philip Garvey got a lot of game time and a chance to garner valuable experience. They showed a strong work ethic that will surely put them in the frame for the start of the league. Former Meath footballer Alan Nestor also made a late appearance.

Meath - S Quinn; David Donoghue, E Fitzgerald, S Donoghue; M Horan (0-1), P Fagan, M Lynch; S Clynch (0-7), J Boyle; P Durnin (1-1), P Garvey, K Keena; J Keena, N Horan, D Kirby (0-8). Subs - A Nestor for Keena, D Muldoon for Horan, N McLoughlin for Fitzgerald.

Kildare - Damien Byrne; P Curtin, D Ryan, J Doran; P Reidy, N O Muineachain, R Hoban (0-2); K Divilly, D Moloney; D Harney (0-8), D Kennedy (0-1), M Moloney (0-4); P Moloney, T Murphy (0-3), M Fitzgerald (1-2). Subs - Danny Byrne for Doran, J Houlihan for Divilly, C Bonus (1-0) for P Moloney.

Referee - David Hughes (Carlow).