Kildalkey bring Davis Cup back home

Kildalkey2-25

Killyon2-9

Winning a trophy is invariably a special occasion for any team. It can lift morale and lead on to greater things.

Kildalkey claimed a piece of early-season silverware on Wednesday night of last week when they defeated Killyon to win the Brendan Davis Cup. The trophy is named after the late, great Kildalkey man who gave so much to his native club and community.

Only four teams have won the competition since it was started in 2013 – and they are all members of the K-club - Killyon, Kilmessan, Kiltale and Kildalkey.

Going into this game Killyon were the holders, but their grip on the glittering trophy was comprehensively loosened on a wet and breezy evening at Fr Plunkett Memorial Park as the home side, who started slowly, moved through the gears to win pulling up thanks partly to a massive 1-10 haul from their marksman-in-chief Nicky Potterton, including seven frees.

Potterton’s goal after 12 minutes underlined the qualities he brings to the table. The ball was played to out near the right wing at the village end of the pitch. He won possession, then momentarily lost it. While others might have given up on the cause Potterton tenaciously won it back and embarked on a scorching run past two Killyon defenders before firing to the net.

With 21 minutes played Kildalkey fashioned a second strike this time emphatically finished to the net by Conor Fitzgerald. Those goals helped the Blues lead 2-10 to 2-6 at the interval. It was a scoreline that didn’t augur well for Killyon because it was they who had the advantage of the hefty breeze in their favour in the opening half.

Killyon were behind at the break despite making the perfect start. Their opening goal had been netted in the first minute with Shane Clarke finishing smartly. Dylan Farrell scored a second goal in extraordinary circumstances after 15 minutes when his sideline cut from half-way delivered the ball into the Kildalkey net off a post. Farrell finished the evening as his team’s topscorer with 1-4.

In the second-half Kildalkey simply went into another dimension. They passed and moved around the ball with great purpose and speed with another of their star men on the evening, Paddy Conneely firing over three first-class points to the three he amassed in the opening half. Evan Fitzgerald, Paddy Barnwell, Gary Kelly along with Luke Rickard and Ben Rickard were others to fire over for the winners.

Killyon played some fine, direct, skilful hurling but it was mainly in the opening half. They just couldn’t live with the hosts after the break.

Farrell, Cathal McKeon, James Connolly, Adam Gannon and Clarke all landed points for the visitors over the hour.

The fluency and controlled aggression displayed by Kildalkey, who are managed this year by former Ratoath and Na Fianna boss, Mike Cole, was certainly noteworthy while Killyon, who struggled when the pressure was applied, now have a better idea of where they stand with the championship looming.

The win did have its downside for Kildalkey as Martin Healy, who had marvellous game, went off with a hamstring injury. They will want him back for the summer campaign.

Kildalkey : David Harmon; David Conneely, Brin Kelly, Cian Colhoun; Niall McNally, Martin Healy, Paddy Barnwell (0-2); Evan Fitzgerald (0-3), James Kavanagh; Paddy Conneely (0-6), Gary Kelly (0-2), Luke Rickard (0-1); Nicky Potterton (1-10, seven frees), Conor Fitzgerald (1-0), Conor Kearney. Subs – Ben Rickard (0-1) for Kearney 39m, Alex Rickard for Healy 42m, Darragh Ryan for Kavanagh 46m, Cian McGourty for D Conneely 52m, Aaron Potterton for P Conneely 55m.

Killyon : Ray Massey; Rourke Shaw, Keith Keoghan, Jamie Smyth; Brian O’Reilly, Paddy Coyne, Brendan Quinn; Justine Coyne, Cathal McKeon (0-1); Dylan Farrell (1-4 two frees, two points), James Connolly (0-1), Ronan Comey; David Raleigh, Adam Gannon (0-2), Shane Clarke (1-1). Subs – Cian Douglas for Comey 18m, Harry Smith for Shaw 38m, Adam Farrell for Quinn 52m, Barry Hannon for McKeon 61m.

Refeee – Derek Argue (Cavan).