Kiltale bounce back in style

Kiltale were ruthless in their second-round SHC victory over Longwood

Kiltale 3-39

Longwood 1-9

Tom Gannon

After their disappointing opening round defeat to Ratoath, Kiltale had a point to prove on Thursday in Dunganny and they certainly delivered with a very convincing victory over Longwood in the SHC.

Kiltale put this contest to bed very early on. Within the first quarter, John Donoghue's side had gone 10 points clear of the opposition and soon after Ross Ryan, who finished with 3-2, rattled in two quick-fire goals.

After only 20 minutes of play, the contest from a competitive perspective was over but Kiltale did not take the foot off the pedal and they racked up an incredible tally, which in the end may prove to be vital for a qualifying position in the group.

Kiltale were absolutely ruthless going forward and 14 different players got their name on the scoresheet for the runaway victors. Ross Ryan was only on the pitch for 37 minutes but during that time he was sensational. Jack Regan was brilliant in the second-half and the two wing-forwards, Adam Murphy and James Kelly also played their part in what was a faultless performance from Kiltale.

The first five minutes was reasonably competitive. Conor M Dixon opened the scoring and after Kiltale hit the next three scores, Anthony Healy got his tally underway to narrow the early gap back to one.

That was about as good as it got for Longwood as Kiltale rattled off the next nine points. The two Jack's, Bannon and Regan, both hit a brace of points to put Kiltale up by five after 10 minutes.

In the following five minutes, Darragh McVann, James Kelly, Adam Murphy, Hugh O'Sullivan and Conor McNally all split the posts to hand Kiltale a 0-12 to 0-2 lead after only 15 minutes.

An Anthony Healy free pulled one back for the men in white and black before a long ball in from Fearghal McCabe was guided into the back of the Longwood net by Ross Ryan. Straight from the puck-out, Mark O'Sullivan linked up with James Kelly and he set up Ross Ryan for his second goal in quick succession.

Two James Kelly frees extended Kiltale's lead to 17 points and after only 20 minutes, no one at Dunganny was under any illusion as to who was going to come out on top in this clash.

Regan, James Kelly and Philip Garvey kept the scoreboard ticking for Kiltale. Anthony and Damien Healy pulled two points back for Longwood, but those scores were wiped out quite quickly by McNally and Ross Ryan.

Regan brought his tally for the first-half up to 0-4 before Ross Ryan completed his hat-trick on the stroke of half-time. At the break, Kiltale led 3-21 to 0-5.

Regan got off to a lightning-quick start in the second-half. The marksman hit three points within two minutes of the restart. Anthony Healy and Hugh O'Sullivan traded scores before Adam Murphy split the posts after a well-worked move.

Kiltale hit another three scores and their 30th white flag was a superb long-range score from James Kelly, which left John Donoghue's side with a 3-30 to 0-6 lead after 42 minutes.

Despite their massive advantage, Kiltale showed no mercy and over the next 15 minutes, they outscored Longwood 0-8 to 0-3 as Peter Durnin, Conor Shirren and Conor Ryan all added their names to their side's long list of scorers.

Longwood's Luke Brady did find the back of the Kiltale net in injury time before Jack Regan wrapped up proceedings with his 12th point.

Kiltale - Shane McGann; Iarla Hughes, Padraig Kelly (0-1), Jack Bannon (0-2); Conor McNally (0-2), Philly Garvey (0-1), Conor Ryan (0-1); Fearghal McCabe (0-1), Hugh O'Sullivan (0-2); Adam Murphy (0-5), Darragh McVann (0-1), James Kelly (0-7 two frees); Mark O'Sullivan, Ross Ryan (3-2), Jack Regan (0-12 six frees). Subs - Peter Durnin (0-1) for Ross Ryan 37m, Conor Shirren (0-1) for Hugh O'Sullivan, Eamon Ryan for Bannon both 45m.

Longwood - Mark Kennedy; Bob Maguire, Mickey Burke, Brian Stagg; Luke Brady, Damien Healy (0-1), Kevin Maguire; Billy Hogan, Ryan Moore; Ben McLoughlin, Anthony Healy (0-6 five frees), Kevin Heagney (0-1); Conor M Dixon (0-1), Gavin Griffith, Ross Healy. Subs - Thomas Dorran for Brady half-time, Luke Brady (1-0) for Kevin Maguire 40m, Sean Sheridan for Ross Healy 50m.

Referee - Stephen Masterson (Kildalkey)