Kiltale stay on course for more glory while Bective advance

The three-in-a-row is still on for Kiltale after they defeated Kildalkey, 2-16 to 2-12, in the SHC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann this afternoon. 

The Jubilee Cup winners of the last two years led almost all the way although they had to withstand a spirited display by Kildalkey who refused to be subdued. 

Kiltale led 1-10 to 0-4 at the interval and looked to be in cruise control but the Village side came back in the second-half to ensure a close finish. 

Mark O'Sullivan grabbed both Kiltale goals the first a long lob from the right sideline after only eight minutes with the ball ending up in the back of the net.

His second came on 36 minutes and this time it was the end product of a powerful run with O'Sullivan leaving a number of defenders in his slipstream before firing home.

Jack Regan also made a big contribution for Kiltale with seven points, four from frees. 

While Kiltale led by nine points at the break that deficit was reduced to three with six minutes remaining but Kildalkey - who shot 13 wides compared to nine by their opponents - were unable to push on. 

After a very disappointing opening half Kildalkey came out a much more fired-up unit in the second-half and they give themselves hope when Sean Heavey skilfully fired to the net from close range on 34 minutes. 

Kiltale came back to build up a 2-14 to 1-10 lead then, with 53 minutes played, Kildalkey grabbed a second goal. This time a powerful Gary Kelly shot was saved by Shane McGann, the ball broke to Enda Keogh who netted from a few yards out.

Paddy Conneely fired over soon after to leave three between the teams but the Villlage couldn't bridge the gap further. Instead Kiltale finished stronger. 

Kildalkey will bemoan the fact that they hit so many wides while the soft concession of Kiltale's opening goal didn't help their cause. 

Kiltale push on to the final with manager Brian Gilsenan hoping for a general improvement in overall form. 

In the curtain-raiser to the SHC game Bective defeated Longford side Cashel 2-8 to 0-10 in the Leinster Club JFC.

Bective's second goal sealed the victory but it didn't arrive until the stroke of full-time with Mark O'Brien firing home after a surging break upfield by his team. 

Bective led 1-4 to 0-4 at the break with Cathal McConnell slotting to the net after he took a pass from Kevin Brennan. 

However, Cashel, who lost the Longford IFC final, dominated the second-half and had enough chances to win. Bective also saw full-back Jack Grant pick up black card after he had earlier been shown a yellow. 

Aidan Ronan topscored with five points while Andrew Farrell was a powerful presence for Cashel but with Brian Cantwell (two), Sean Keating, Marty Mulhall, Paul McCabe, Ciaran Reilly, O'Brien and James Davis all firing over the bar Bective marched into the next round. 

'We just didn't play as well as we can I suppose the celebrations of the last few weeks caught up with the lads even though we had a few training sessions,' said Bective manager Jody Devine. 

'Coming into a Leinster championship you don't really know too much about the opposition. They were strong down the middle and it took us a while to get to grips with them.'