Kildalkey and Kiltale can progress to Jubilee Cup decider

It's down to the last four in the race for SHC Jubilee Cup and while supporters of Navan O'Mahonys and Kiltale will be preoccupied with the curtain raiser at Pairc Tailteann on Saturda,y many of them will doubtless stay behind to catch the second item on bill, Kilmessan v Kildalkey. There's still a lot of hurling to be played before the Jubilee Cup is handed out, but it's difficult to avoid the conclusion that the team who wins the shoot-out between the two Special Ks will also end up as champions. That's the kind of statement O'Mahonys manager Johnny Gorry and his Kiltale counterpart Paul Regan will draw on to further motivate their troops, not that their forces will need much motivation at this stage. However, the evidence strongly suggests that whoever wins between Kildalkey and Kilmessan will push on to take the title, something that should ensure a big crowd is in place at headquarters on Saturday. In the last 10 years Kilmessan have won the SHC four times (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2008) while Kildalkey have claimed it twice (2009 and 2010). Both sides are talented with a rich reservoir of experience to tap into. They know how to win championships. Kiltale will take some comfort from the fact that outside of the big two they were the last team to wear the crown when Paddy Kelly's side claimed the club's third SHC title in 2007. Navan O'Mahonys have to go back to 1986 for the last time they basked in the glory of a senior championship success - although they have shown the type of form this year to indicate they are on the cusp of ending that particular drought. Kildalkey v kilmessan In the first round of this year's SHC Kilmessan defeated Kildalkey by 1-14 to 1-8 but how much can be read into that result? Since then Kildalkey have moved up a few nothces in terms of fitness and intensity and with Noel Kirby back in the fold they are clearly a stronger force, much more like the team that made it two-in-a-row last year. They have also had an extra game more played than Kilmessan. Kildalkey's quarter-final victory over Trim was indeed impressive their power and all round durability indicating a team on a roll. On their way to topping their group Kilmessan racked up 9-86 yet even that haul falls someway behind the 17-71 Kildalkey clocked up in the same number of games. A consistely high percentage of Kilmessan's scores have come from the stick of Nicky Horan from frees. If Kildalkey can maintain their discipline and give nothing away they have the ability to get more scores than their opponents, particularly if Derek Doran is on his game and the likes of Sean Corrigan and Seanie Heavey win ball around the central areas. Defensively Kilmessan look very strong having conceded just 4-43 in the group stages compared to Kildalkey's 9-41 over the same span of matches. Although Kildalkey have lost twice this year, if they up can keep their discipline and not give away too many frees they should do enough to take this one and make it through to another final. Kiltale v Navan O'Mahonys Apart from Kilmessan, the Brews Hill combination are the only team to progress to the semi-finals undefeated. They ensured their place in the last four even before they had completed their group games although manager Gorry insists that his team go into Saturday's encounter as underdogs. He argues, with some justification, that Kiltale are a strong force and emerged from the harder of the two groups. He's also not too worried by the fact that Kiltale have had the quarter-final against Na Fianna to keep them sharp while his troops have had to rely on a diet of challenges against the likes of Raharney and St Brigid's of Dublin. "I don't think the extra game will make a difference, we're ready and the lads will be up for this one," he said. In their performances to-date O'Mahonys have displayed an impressive level of consistency, confidence and control to overcome all their opponents including Trim. Kiltale looked accomplished in their 2-19 to 1-11 win over Na Fianna in quarter-finals. Their forwards once again demonstrated a hunger and sharpness that augurs well for them. Peter Durnin wore the number 14 jersey but played in the midfield/half-forward zone and picked up a lot of ball. Stephen Donoghue and Paddy Kelly won plenty of ball around midfield and forwards Cian O'Sullivan and Philip Garvey had plenty of raw material to work with. Kiltale have the firepower to win this one.