Kildalkey pull clear to maintain winning run

It wasn't pretty, but it was effective as Kildalkey continued their march towards a place directly into the SHC semi-finals with victory over Ratoath at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

This contest won't live long in the memory. It was scrappy at best and both sides will need to improve significantly if they are to harbour realistic ambitions of Jubilee Cup.

Ratoath were without a plethora of key players, but made life difficult for a Kildalkey side that never had to seriously get out of second gear.

Paddy Conneely was superb for Nick Fitzgerald's side. He finished with 1-10 of his side's tally, including 1-4 from play, while Nicky Potterton also showed moments of class with four fine scores.

However, Kildalkey were lethargic at times, Whether that was because of the early morning start or the fact that they always felt they had more in the tank if needed can't be known, but either way they will have to learn to be more ruthless.

Just as Limerick placed an emphasis on their third quarter squeeze it was the 15 minutes after half-time that edged Kildalkey into the winner's enclosure.

Leading by a point at the break, they outscored Ratoath by 0-8 to 0-4 in that third quarter and there was no way back for the limited Ratoath attack who were heavily reliant on Podge O'Hanrahan and the threat of Daithi McGowan.

The opening half was fractured with the broken play spoiling any chance of momentum building.

There were moments of brilliance, in particular the finishes for both Paddy Conneely and Sean Corbett's goals.

There were almost sprinkles of excellence from Nicky Potterton, Paddy Potterton, Daithi McGowan and Ciaran O'Hanrahan, but for the most part the opening period was a scrap with both teams more intent on stopping the other.

Without players like Bryan McMahon, Cian Rogers and Gavin mcGowan to embellish their attack Ratoath were wayward in the opening five minutes as they hit five wides in that spell.

They already had three efforts off target before Kildalkey opened the scoring with their first attack in the third minute when Paddy Conneely arrowed over.

Podge O'Hanrahan replied in between all the early wides, but 30 seconds after that score Kildalkey struck the opening goal when Brian Conneely found Paddy Conneely out to his right and the big number 12 applied the perfect finish to make it 1-1 to 0-1.

Brian O'Halloran added a point 90 seconds later and Kildalkey threatened to run away with it.

However. Ratoath soon settled. Two points from placed balls from Podge O'Hanrahan (a free and a '65'0 cut the deficit to two points, but they continued to be wasteful with Padraig Byrne firing a decent goal chance straight at David Harmon in the Kildalkey goals.

After 10 barren minutes Kildalkey found their scoring groove again with Nicky Potterton firing over from the left. Paddy Conneely added another converted free before Paddy Potterton landed the score of the half with a brilliant strike from the left hand sideline into the hospital end to make it 1-5 to 0-3.

The game was running away from Ratoath again, but they battled tenaciously and ended their own 14-minute spell without a score when sub Cathal Sherlock, who replaced Meath player Niall McLarnon, found Sean Corbett and he finished well into the far corner.

Paddy Conneely's third point (second from a free) settled Kildalkey, but two massive scores in quick succession from Daithi McGowan closed the gap to the minimum and when Ciaran O'Hanrahan pointed in the 30th minute the sides were level.

However Paddy Conneely closed out the fractious half in fitting style with another converted free to ensure Kildalkey led by 1-7 to 1-6 at the break.

Ratoath did have a great chance to put the cat amongst the low-flying seagulls at Pairc Tailteann when McGowan was through on goal, but his shot was comfortably saved by Harmon and Kildalkey were let off the hook.

Nicky Potterton stretched Kildalkey's advantage a minute later, but points from Padraig Byrne and Podge O'Hanrahan (free) had Ratoath level in the 35th minute.

Paddy Conneely struck twice (once from a free) and Nicky Potterton added another to establish a three-point lead for Kildalkey and they never looked back.

Podge O'Hanrahan capitalised on a poor puck out and after Paddy Conneely responded with a score from a free, Ciaran O'Hanrahan pointed, even though the umpires waved his shot wide.

That score made it 1-10 to 1-12 and Ratoath were still in the game, but in 90 scintillating seconds Paddy Conneely (free), Martin Healy and Kevin McKeon all lofted over to make it 1-15 to 1-10.

Sean Murphy replied for forlorn Ratoath, but Kildalkey stretched further clear with Nicky Potterton claiming his fourth and Paddy Conneely on target from play.

Two more Podge O'Hanrahan frees kept Ratoath in the fight, 1-13 to 1-17, but in reality it was a losing battle.

Paddy Conneely, again, closed Kildalkey's account on the stroke of the hour and while there was still time for Bobby O'Brien to pick up a second yellow card and leave Ratoath down to 14 men that was the last action of a game that will be quickly forgotten, but Kildalkey won’t mind that.

SCORERS

Kildalkey - Paddy Conneely 1-10 six frees; Nicky Potterton 0-4; Paddy Potterton 0-1; Brian O'Halloran 0-1; Martin Healy 0-1; Kevin McKeon 0-1.

Ratoath - Podge O'Hanrahan 0-7 four frees, one '65'; Sean Corbett 1-0; Daithi McGowan 0-2; Ciaran O'Hanrahan 0-2; Padraig Byrne 0-1; Sean Murphy 0-1.

TEAMS

Kildalkey - David Harmon; David Conneely, Liam Corbett, Brendan McKeon; Conor Fitzgerald, Brian O'Halloran, Brin Kelly; Evan Fitzgerald, Martin Healy; Paddy Barnwell, Gary Kelly, Paddy Conneely; Paddy Potterton, Nicky Potterton, Brian Conneely. Subs - Kevin McKeon for C Fitzgerald 30 mins, Mark Healy for B Conneely 48m, Mark McCormack for D Conneely 55m,

Ratoath - Gearoid Crowley; Domhnall Rogers, Conor McGill, Sean Murphy; Conoir Ward, Ben McGowan, Niall McLarnon; Podge O'Hanrahan, Padraig Byrne; David McGowan, Jack McGowan, Tom Fadden; Ciaran O'Hanrahan, Sean Corbett, Bobby O'Brien. Subs - Cathal Sherlock for McLarnon 21 mins, Liam Kelly for Corbett, Ronan Byrne for Sherlock both 51m,

Referee - Derek Ryan (Na Fianna).