O'Sullivan shines as Clann na nGael earn draw with Kilmessan

There was little bit of confusion at the end of tonight's SHC first round 1-13 apiece draw between Kilmessan and Clann na nGael at Pairc Tailteann.

Callum O'Sullivan was the stand out performer as the 2019 IHC champions got their campaign off to an encouraging start against Kilmessan.

The teams delivered an absorbing encounter with a late Diarmaid O Donnchadha goal for Clann na nGael followed by an equalising Eamon O Donnchadha point.

This Group B game will now be referred to the Meath CCC for a resolution to the issue of who plays next - the new format dictated that the loser of the game would be next up, but there was no provision for a draw.

After referee Owen Ganly sounded the final whistle there was a hurried discussion between the referee and Co Board officials.

An announcement over the public address indicated that the matter would be determined at Co Board level - possibly by the toss of a coin.

Blackhall Gaels will await the outcome of those deliberations with great interest.

On the pitch it was Clann na nGael that made a bright start although Kilmessan dictated after the first water break on the way to a 1-9 to 0-8 interval lead with the crucial goal coming from Kevin Keena after Jack Cottrell did the spade work.

The Kilmessan points arrived from goalscorer Keena, Luke Horan and Steven Clynch (two each), Malcolm Doyle, Seanie Doyle and Kyle Donnelly.

Callum O'Sullivan was the top Clann na nGael performer and he claimed five of his nine points in the first-half (two frees) with Conor McGovern, Eamon O Donnchadha and Ciaran Garry also splitting the posts.

Clann na nGael delivered more of a threat after the resumption, but it wasn't until the final quarter that they got back into serious contention after squandering a number of good scoring opportunities.

O'Sullivan added four more points (two frees) with Horan (two frees), Padraig Burke and Joey Keena countering for Kilmessan.

That Diarmaid O Donnchadha goal got the deficit down to the minimum (1-12 to 1-13) and then the outstanding Eamon O Donnchadha drew the sides level with a fine point.

Both sides missed late chances and had to settle for the draw

For Clann na nGael it completed a hectic week as last Tuesday night many of the same players were on duty in a winning display in the IFC against Ballinlough at the Navan venue.

SCORERS

Kilmessan - Kevin Keena 1-2; Luke Horan 0-4 three frees; Steven Clynch 0-2; Malcolm Doyle 0-1; Seanie Doyle 0-1; Kyle Donnelly 0-1; Padraig BUrke 0-1; Joey Keena 0-1.

Clann na nGael - Callum O'Sullivan 0-9 four frees; Diarmaid O Donnchadha 1-0; Eamon O Donnchadha 0-2; Ciaran Garry 0-1; Conor McGovern 0-1;

TEAMS

Kilmessan - Cian O'Neill; Dylan Swan, Shane Brennan, Padraig Burke; Paddy Lally, Joey Keena, Alex Smith; Luke Horan, Declan Smyth; Sean Doyle, Kyle Donnelly, Kevin Keena; Jack Cottrell, Malcolm Doyle, Steven Clynch. Subs - Cathal Murphy for M Doyle 38 mins, Darren Reilly for Donnelly and Conor Harkin for Smyth both 48m

Clann na nGael - Eamonn Griffin; Aaron Doherty, Aaron Ennis, Jack Doherty; Sean Reilly, Cillian Swaine, Gerry O'Sullivan; Darragh Swaine, John Farrell; Callum O'Sullivan, Luke Swaine, Conor McGovern; Diarmaid O Donnchadha, Ciaran Garry, Eamon O Donnchadha.

Referee - Owen Ganly.