Provincial pain for the Meath champions

Despite leading by eight points, 1-10 to 0-5 at the interval, Kildalkey lost out to Clodiagh Gaels in the Leinster Club IHC, 1-13 to 1-14, at Tullamore today.

It would have taken a brave punter indeed to back against the Village side at that stage.

After all not only did they have that substantial advantage Kildalkey also had an extra man after Clodiagh Gaels' Cathal Curran was sent off after just 19 minutes.

Yet Kildalkey were undone by a combination of errors, mistakes and the resurgence of the Gaels who proved simply too strong for the Meath champions in the second-half.

The transformation in fortunes was radical indeed and it was the Offaly Senior B champions who played most of the enterprising hurling.

Nicky Potterton netted Kildalkey's goal after 17 minutes. Patrick Conneely passed to Potterton who finished smartly to the net. The Village side looked by far the dominant side at that stage.

However instead of pushing on Kildalkey lost their way badly conceding a sloppy goal just after the interval. From then on their hopes crumbled and they ended up losing out with Dwayne Dunne bagging 10 points for the winners, eight frees.

Conor Kearney hit four points for Kildalkey while Patrick Potterton registered three super points from play. Conneely also fired over three points with Nicky Potterton and Conor McNally others to raise white flags. However Kildalkey fell short at the end, caught out by the rampaging rivals.

SCORERS

Clodiagh Gaels - Dwayne Dunne 0-10, eight frees; Joey Keenaghan 1-1 free; Conor Langton 0-2; Liam Langton 0-1;

Kildalkey - Conor Kearney 0-5 four frees; Nicholas Potterton 1-1; Patrick Potterton 0-3; Patrick Conneely 0-3 one free; James McNally 0-1.

See photographs, analysis and match report from Tullamore fixture in next issue of the Meath Chronicle