Champions Kildalkey edge out Kiltale in Jubilee Cup opener

It may have been a slow burner, but this SHC opener between Jubilee Cup holders Kildalkey and the side they beat in last year's final Kiltale burst into life in the closing stages as the champions held on to claim a thrilling 0-17 to 1-12 victory.

This was a definite tale of two halves. Kiltale were aimless and nervous in the first-half as Kildalkey dominated and should really have been more than six points clear at half-time.

However after the break Brian Gilsenan's side upped the gears, applied more pressure and were marginally the better side before being pipped at the post.

Kildalkey started brightly with the outstanding Paddy Conneely nailing a '65' and a 67-metre free either side of a Niall McNally free to open up a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after just six minutes.

Jack Regan responded with a free to open Kiltale's account in the ninth minute, but Kildalkey were on the front foot with Conneely (free), Nicky Potterton, Heavey and Brin Kelly extending their side's lead to 0-7 to 0-1.

Kiltale threatened a late rally with scores from O'Sullivan and Regan '65', but Kildalkey settled again with Conneely converting two frees to ensure a 0-9 to 0-3 interval lead.

Stung by their poor first-half showing Gilsenan made four changes for Kiltale and that certainly improved their intensity and application with Chris Reilly, Ross Ryan and Conor McNally giving them much more bite and resolve in attack.

McNally had a great chance to extend Kildalkey's lead a minute after the restart, but his shot was cleared off the line by Conor Shirren and on the counter attack O'Sullivan squandered a great goal opportunity.

Conneely did convert a '65' to extend Kildalkey's lead, but by forcing the Kildalkey defence into mistakes Kiltale gave themselves hope with Regan converting two frees and O'Sullivan and Ross Ryan scoring from play to make it 0-7 to 0-10.

Conneely popped up with two points, one from play, to give Kildalkey a five-point cushion, but Kiltale looked like they were on a roll with Ryan, Regan (free) and Cathal McCabe on target to close the gap to two points.

O'Sullivan went himself when presented with a second goal chance, but McCormack saved well and inspired by that stop Conneely tagged on two more points from play to make it 0-14 to 0-10.

Regan (free) and Nicky Potterton traded points before McCormack's stunning save from O'Sullivan's drive went out for a '65' which Regan converted to make a three-point game again.

Conneely put four between the sides before Kiltale finally got some reward from a succession of dropped balls into the square with Fearghal McCabe finding the net to make it 1-12 to 0-16 three minutes into injury-time.

However as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser Kiltale left acres of room at the back and Heavey tapped over the insurance point to secure a win for the champions and leave Kiltale facing a must-win clash with Ratoath in two weeks time.

SCORERS

Kildalkey - Paddy Conneely 0-11 six frees, two '65s'; Nickey Potterton 0-2; Sean Heavey 0-2; Niall McNally 0-1; Brin Kelly 0-1.

Kiltale - Jack Regan 0-7 five frees, two '65s'; Fearghal McCabe 1-0; Mark O'Sullivan 0-2; Ross Ryan 0-2; Cathal McCabe 0-1.

TEAMS

Kildalkey - Mark McCormack; David Conneely, Gary Kelly, Brin Kelly; Brendan McKeon, David Harmon, Mairtin Doran; Paddy Potterton, Conor Kearney; Kevin McKeon, Luke Rickard, Sean Heavey; Nicky Potterton, Paddy Conneely, Niall McNally.

Kiltale - Conor Ryan; Iarla Hughes, Philip Garvey, Eamonn Ryan; Stephen Donoghue, Jack regan, Conor Shirren; Padraig Kelly, William Mahady; James Kelly, Cathal mcCabe, Mark O'Sullivan; Peter Durnin, David Donoghue, Adam Murphy. Subs - Chris Reilly for Durnin, Ross Ryan for S Donoghue, Conor McNally for P Kelly, Ross Ryan for Mahady all half-time, Fearghal McCabe for J Kelly 55 mins.

Referee - Killian Jones (Kildare).