Regan on fire as Kiltale cruise into semis

John Donoghue's men were very comfortable winners over Na Fianna in the SHC quarter-final on Saturday.

Kiltale 4-26

Na Fianna 0-14

Jack Regan hit 3-13 and fired Kiltale into the semi-final of the Meath SHC as John Donoghue’s charges made light work of Na Fianna on Saturday in Pairc Tailteann. The game was only really competitive for the first 10 minutes.

Between the 9th minute and the 17th minute, Kiltale hit 2-5 to send them 11 points clear of the opposition. In the second-quarter, Kiltale raised two more green flags and when the half-time whistle sounded, they led by 15 points.

The second-half was nothing more than a formality as Kiltale pressed home their large advantage. Na Fianna did not register another point until the 40th minute and in the third quarter, they were outscored by 0-2 to 0-6.

Kiltale finished with a flourish and hit another eight points as they cruised to the finish line. Even though there were several considerable stoppages in the second-half, there weren't any complaints when it was announced that only one minute of injury time would be played.

The contest got off to a flying start when Mark Slevin and Regan traded points inside the first minute. Ross Ryan did well to score after he was pulled to the ground but got straight back up on his feet and split the posts to draw the sides level after six minutes.

Regan and Michael Heffernan swapped points before Kiltale took control and hit 2-5 in the space of eight minutes. The first of the majors was nicely worked and included some good link-up play between Peter Durnin, Adam Murphy and James Kelly before Regan fired to the net for the first.

The second goal originated from a speculative long ball into the danger area. Durnin got the last touch as the sliotar slid past Adam Farrell. After 21 minutes, Kiltale led by 11 before Slevin pulled two points back with a brace of frees.

A long ball in from Conor Ryan was well gathered by Regan and the stalwart produced a stunning soccer-style finish to the bottom left corner for his second and Kiltale’s third goal. Points from Murphy and Mark O’Sullivan followed before Regan completed his hat-trick. At half-time, Kiltale led 4-12 to 0-9.

After the restart, Kiltale picked up where they left off and hit four points in a row through Fearghal McCabe, Kelly and a brace from Regan. Rory Fagan got Na Fianna’s second-half tally underway and Slevin followed that score up with a free.

Kiltale pressed on again and hit another six points in a row as substitutes Hugh O’Sullivan and Eamonn Ryan added their name to the scoresheet. In the final five minutes, Kiltale outscored Na Fianna by 0-3 to 0-1. For both the neutrals and the Na Fianna supporters, Bernard Heaney’s premature final whistle didn’t come quick enough.

Kiltale - Shane McGann; Padraig Kelly, Iarla Hughes, Jack Bannon (0-1); Conor McNally, Phillip Garvey, Conor Ryan; Brian O'Reilly, Fearghal McCabe (0-2); Adam Murphy (0-1), Mark O'Sullivan (0-1), James Kelly (0-4); Peter Durnin (1-1), Ross Ryan (0-1), Jack Regan (3-13 five frees, one ‘65’). Subs - Hugh O’Sullivan (0-1) for O’Reilly 37m, Dara McVann for O’Sullivan 38m, Gavin McVann for P Kelly 42m, Eamon Ryan (0-1) for McNally 48m.

Na Fianna - Adam Farrell; Finn Witchlow; Stephen Slevin, Cian Doherty; Oisin Bright (0-1), Ronan Byrne, Anthony Healy; Mark Slevin (0-5 four frees), Sean Coffey; Patrick Jordan, Rory Fagan (0-2), Michael Heffernan (0-3); Eoin Bright, Shane Walsh (0-1), Peter Slevin (0-2). Subs - Sane Jordan for Witchlow half-time, Luke Boggan for Heffernan 48m.

Referee - Bernard Heaney (Clann na nGael).