Kiltale progress into last four despite slow start

Despite a nightmarish start Kiltale secured their place in the last four of the SHC when they defeated Killyon 1-20 to 2-8 at Trim today with Jack Regan hitting 10 points for the winners, eight frees.

This was far from a Halloween cracker as the contest failed to move beyond the mundane at any stage.

Kiltale found themselves 0-0 to 1-2 behind after just four minutes but by the break they led 0-10 to 2-3 and in the lacklustre second-half they continued to add to their tally.

Killyon's cause wasn't helped by the dismissal of Stefan Kelly shortly after the interval.

Kiltale's goal arrived on the 51 minute mark when Fearghal McCabe, from well inside his own half, delivered the ball towards the Killyon goals.

Instead of going over the bar the sliotar ended up in the back of the net to give his team a 1-17 to 2-5 advantage and effectively seal victory.

Kiltale hit points from a variety of angles and distances and this was one of the main reasons why they won.

Kelly and Adam Gannon scored the early goals for Killyon while Niall Smullen came on to slot over three points but with Regan and others steadily adding to Kiltale's account they secured their place in the last four.

SCORERS

Kiltale - Jack Regan 0-10, eight frees; Mark O'Sullivan 0-3; Fearghal McCabe 0-2; Padraig Kelly 0-1; James Kelly 0-1; Cathal McCabe 0-1; Cillian O'Sullivan 0-1; David Donoghue 0-1.

Killyon - Stefan Kelly 1-0; Calvin Ryan 1-0; Adam Gannon 0-3; Niall Smullen 0-3 one free, '65'; Justin Coyne 0-1; David Raleigh 0-1 free.

TEAMS

Kiltale - Conor Ryan; Iarla Hughes, Phillip Garvey, Padraig Kelly; Conor Sheerin, James Kelly, Shane Lenihan; Conor McNally, Chris Reilly; Cathal McCabe, Jack Regan, Fearghal McCabe; Cillian O'Sullivan, Ross Ryan, Mark O'Sullivan. Subs - Eoghan Frayne for Lenihan, David Donoghue for R Ryan, Eamon Ryan for C O'Sullivan all 53 mins, Willie Mahady for F McCabe 59m.

Killyon - Stephen Quinn; Tommy Raleigh, Adam Flanagan, Brian Reilly; Brendan Quinn, Clayton Keegan, Shane Clarke; Keith Keoghan, Paddy Coyne; Dylan Farrell, David Raleigh, Justin Coyne; Adam Gannon, Calvin Ryan, Stefan Kelly. Subs - Niall Smullen for P Coyne 26 mins, Jake Ryan for Clarke, Jamie Smyth for Farrell both 38m, Killian Canavan for Keegan 47m.

Referee - Mark O'Reilly (Kilmessan).

FULL MATCH REPORT AND PHOTOGRAPHS FROM GAME IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE