Kilmessan make best start in title race

Kilmessan 0-13, Kiltale 0-11 Kilmessan got their bid for the 2012 SHC Jubilee Cup off to a winning start with a first round victory against neighbours Kiltale at Trim on Saturday evening. Despite the difficult conditions, both teams served a high standard in a group where qualification for the knock-out phase will be hard-earned and where there will be no easy games. Kilmessan have brought in Westmeath man James Heffernan to take the managerial reins and he will be pleased to have negotiated the first hurdle successfully. Kilmessan were comfortable during the opening half as they established a 0-9 to 0-4 interval advantage and were denied a goal when Shane McGann saved well from Danny Maguire close to the interval. Points from Stephen Clynch (three, one free), Nicky Horan (two frees), Danny Maguire (two), Paul O'Brien and Eoin Marsh paved the way to that interval advantage as Kiltale struggled to stay in touch. Kiltale full-back Padraig Donoghue opened his side's account in the 10th minute, John Donoghue (pictured) and Stephen Donoghue also split the posts with full-forward Jack Regan completing the first-half tally. There wasn't too much evidence of anything special from Kiltale for most of the third-quarter as Kilmesan easily maintained the five-point gap to lead by 0-12 to 0-7 going into the closing stages. McGann produced another smart save, this time from Darren Reilly, as Horan (three) traded points with Philip Garvey, Mark O'Sullivan and Peter Durnin. However, Kiltale struck a rich vein of form between the 48th and 52nd minutes when Regan, who was hugely impressive for Meath minors in the Leinster MHC against Offaly last month, converted three frees that reduced the deficit to two points and set up a hectic finish. The tempo increased substantially with lots of goalmout action, mostly around the Kilmessan square as Horan (free) and Durnin traded points. O'Sullivan and John Donoghue had the Kiltale goal chances, there was a heated exchange between the managers with referee Richard Morris acting as a peacebroker and even linesman Jimmy Burke endured some verbal banter after he called back a Kiltale sideline cut. Kilmessan deserved to win on this occasion, but Kiltale will be aiming to bounce back in the next round when they tackle defending champions Kildalkey while Kilmessan will face Navan O'Mahonys. Kilmessan - M Brennan; P Maguire, C Keena, P McGovern; S Brennan, P O'Brien (0-1), P Farrell; M Horan, E Marsh (0-1); Darren Maguire, S Clynch (0-6 four frees), K Keena; Danny Maguire (0-2), N Horan (0-3 frees), Darren Reilly. Sub - S Doyle for Maguire 57 mins. KIltale - S McGann; A Donnelly, P Donoghue (0-1), C Ennis; A Forde, W Mahady, D Donohoe; C McCabe, P Garvey (0-1); J Donoghue (0-1), S Donoghue (0-1), J Kelly; P Durnin (0-2), J Regan (0-4 three frees), M O'Sullivan (0-1). Referee - Richard Morris (Blackhall Gaels).