Goals put an end to Kilmainham's Tailteann Cup hopes
Reigning champions lose out at semi-final stage
Harry Newman
Slane...6-9
Kilmainham 1-10
Having won the Tailteann Cup last year Kilmainham were looking to reach the final once more.
It was not to be as they lost out to a much sharper Slane side who deserved their win on the night.
Slane started as expected at a blistering pace and had their first score on the board inside the first minute from a free.
They followed this up with three further points from play as Kilmainham struggled to get to grips with their fast-attacking play.
Dylan Morgan opened our account in the 4th minute with a point from play. Slane hit their first goal in the 10th minute with a well-worked move. They followed this up with a second goal in the 15th minute, forcing a turnover in the Kilmainham defence.
Kilmainham lost Dylan Morgan to a black card in the 23rd minute as Slane were completely on top. Slane hit another two points and then hit their third goal.
Another mistake at the back from Kilmainham resulted in another goal. Johnny Quinlan did hit a good point off his left from play as they headed for half time. Kilmainham had a mountain to climb in the second half.
At the break Kilmainham trailed, 0-2 to 3-6.
Kilmainham came out fighting in the second half as they looked to reduce the deficit. Dylan Morgan returned to the fray from his black card.
Kilmainham seemed to be a different side after the break. They hit the first six scores of the second half as they pinned in the Slane defence and put serious pressure on the Slane kick out. Slane were rocked as Kilmainham had momentum.
Slane hit a point in the 22nd minute to give them breathing space. Slane hit two goals in three minutes in the 19th and 21st minute to effectively finish the contest. Kilmainham had pushed up on the Slane kick out as they tried to claw back the game and were hit on the break.
Dylan Morgan converted a penalty in the 23rd minute after Larry Morgan was fouled in the square. A sixth goal from Slane in the 30th minute concluded the match.
This was disappointing night for Kilmainham, a poor first half performance ultimately cost them. Now they must look at the bigger picture though.
Overall, it has been a successful Tailteann Cup campaign for Kilmainham with plenty of competitive matches and they got game time into all panel members. They can look forward to welcoming back a few players in the coming weeks as they push on with their league campaign.
Kilmainham welcome Ballivor to their home pitch this Saturday, 30th March for round two of the Div 3A League. The match starts at 5.30pm.
Best for Kilmainham against Slane were Jamie O’Sullivan, Andy Arkins, Seanie Mahon and Barry Lynch.
Kilmainham - Dean Peppard, Padraig Caffrey, Harry Newman, Jamie O’ Sullivan, Phily Mahon, Seanie Mahon (0-1), Declan Mullen, Larry Morgan, Paddy Hennigan (0-1), Shane Butler, Dylan Morgan (1-5), Andy Arkins, Paul Farrelly, Mark Newman (0-2), Johnny Quinlan (0-1). Subs - Barry Lynch for Phily Mahon, Terence Daly for Paul Farrelly, Trevor Lynch for Johnny Quinlan, Stephen Newman for Declan Mullen and Stephen Woods for Shane Butler.
Referee - Paul Mooney (Syddan)