Kilmessan shape up for semi-finals

As expected, Kilmessan did the business against Na Fianna at Trim on Sunday and maintained their 100 per cent recorded in the SHC with a win that was more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests. The biggest influence on this game was the swirling, strong wind that blew right down the pitch - at times it made conditions farcical. Despite facing into the near gale-force conditions Kilmessan were ahead by 1-3 to 0-2 at the break and during the interval there were predictions of a cricket score in the second-half. It didn't work out like that as Na Fianna manned their defence manfully and effectively shut out the Kilmessan attack for much of a slow-burning second 30 minutes. There was always the feeling though that, if they needed to, Kilmessan could move up a gear or two. They never had to go beyond second gear to wrap up the victory. "The wind took totally from the game. We played well in the first-half, but this is now four wins from four and we'll be aiming to keep that winning run going," Kilmessan manager Ollie Horan told the Meath Chronicle. Conspicuous by his absence from the Kilmessan line-up was Stephen Clynch. He warmed up, but didn't take any part as the Kilmessan management kept him in reserve for the bigger challenges ahead. "Stephen is on the injured list and we need to rest him as much as possible, he has played a lot of games over the past few years," added the Kilmessan manager. Some measure of the problems Na Fianna encountered can be gleaned from the fact that they garnered all their scores from frees, all from Barry Slevin. Even with a big wind at their backs they couldn't split the posts from play and that must be a concern to their management. The biggest difficulty both teams encountered when they had the wind at their backs was trying to measure their shots and passes. Players frequently over-hit the ball and this contributed to the scrappy nature of the encounter which was played before a smattering of spectators. Any suggestion that Na Fianna might build up a unassailable half-time lead was firmly put the bed after 13 minutes when Nicky Horan set up David Donnelly who shot to the net. Two points from Horan and one from Kevin Keena boosted Kilmessan to their interval lead. One of the changes forced on Kilmessan by Clynch's absence was a re-jigging of their forces with Joey Keena at centre-back. It's a position he looked at home in and will surely feature there again. Kilmessan made sure of victory 12 minutes into the second-half when Richie Donnelly hit the ball long to Ger O'Neill who turned neatly to fire to the net. Peter Farrell, David Donnelly and Martin Horan also tagged on late points to seal it. The Na Fianna full-back combination of Mark Burke, Niall Reilly and Seanie Griffin got some good blocks in the second-half. Otherwise it was Kilmessan's day. Kilmessan - C Curtis; E Horan, P O'Brien, P McGovern; M Horan (0-1), J Keena, M Munnelly; D Donnelly (1-1), R Donnelly; N Horan (0-5, three frees), E Marsh, P Farrell (0-1); K Keena (0-1), G O'Neill (1-1), C Keena. Subs - D Maguire for Marsh 56 mins. Na Fianna - M Coffey; M Burke, N Reilly, S Griffin; D Lyons, D Gleeson, S Greaney; S Burke, C Cosgrove; D Bailey, D Kirby, B Slevin (0-4, frees); M Hanley, D Curran, E Reilly. Subs - C Flynn for Kirby, B Cullen for E Reilly, A Burke for Hanley. Referee - Pat Gannon (Killyon).