Kildalkey still have a point to prove

When Kildalkey clinched their one and only SHC title in 1951 it was an achievement shrouded in controversy. Ironically the 'win" came against Kilmessan, but to this day there is still a belief in Kildalkey that the club needs to win a title on the field if they are to be regarded as Meath senior hurling champions. That disputed final 57 years ago went Kildalkey"s way after officials expelled Kilmessan because they turned up an hour late for the contest in Trim. By the time Kilmessan arrived some of the Kildalkey players had set about their journey home, but those that remained stayed on to play a challenge. Legend has it that Kilmessan won the challenge by a couple of points, but the title went to Kildalkey in the boardroom. There was no chance of either side arriving late for Sunday"s decider. All the preparations were completed to a tee. Everything was in place for a classic encounter between two of the most exciting teams in the county, everything that is, except the weather. When Pat O"Halloran and Martin Curran woke from their restless slumber on Sunday morning they must have cursed the Irish summer Gods. The trend of the summer continued and so as the rain fell the possibility of good hurling spilled away. Neither manager could have cared less whether the game itself was a classic or not. All that concerned the bosses was whether the Jubilee Cup would be raised in The Snug House or in Fergie"s and Thornes" on Sunday evening. As it transpired the game wasn"t a classic and the old trophy was packed away into hibernation in the Pairc Tailteann safe room for another seven days, denied a chance to be illegally soaked in celebratory alcohol. For the neutral spectator who has followed Kildalkey and Kilmessan throughout the summer, Sunday"s game was very disappointing. Both teams have been far and away the most enjoyable sides to part with some hard earned cash for, but on Sunday it wasn"t money well spent. Supporters with a vested interest in the game will point to the exciting conclusion and the thrilling finish that saw substitute 'Chuckie" Keena loft over a brilliant point to give Kilmessan another chance. However, it was a game littered with errors, sloppy handling, woeful shooting and some poor marking. There was some hard hitting hurling that livened up the show, but for the most part the game was a disappointment. The teams managed 14 wides between them in the opening half with Kildalkey striking nine. Remarkably, Nicky Horan missed a 20-metre free and in the second-half he missed an equally easy opportunity. Even nerves can effect the most experienced players. Only Noel Kirby, or 'Crouchie" as he is affectionately known, managed more than one score from play. Only one of Kilmessan"s forwards managed a point from play, but some of the credit for that must go to the exceptional defending of Stephen Forde, Enda Keogh and man-of-the-match candidate Mairtin Doran. Injuries restricted the mobility and impact of Sean Heavey and Ger Geoghegan, but when Nick Fitzgerald came in for Geoghegan he did a very competent job and gave David Donnelly plenty to think about. It was like a game of chess at times. Tactics were crucial and the right moves had to be made at the correct times. It was that cagey nature of the contest that also contributed to the disappointing fare. However, if you like your hurling hard, but mostly fair, then Sunday"s game was the one for you and you can expect more of the same next week. There was plenty of passion and pent up anger throughout. Kilmessan"s Vinny Reilly, who showed a liking for Pat O"Halloran"s hat, earned a yellow card for his half-time jog to the dressing room as he tried to make his presence felt to several of the Kildalkey players. Throughout the game there were many frontal charges and inaccurate shoulder-on-shoulder challenges. It wasn"t a game for the hurling purists, but the weather didn"t allow for a free-flowing contest. Hopefully next week things will improve and by then we will know who will feel most aggrieved at throwing away a great chance of creating history.