Killyon primed to retain treasured prize

Race for place at the top table set to be a scorcher

Last autumn a certain, neat match up was completed in Meath hurling when Killyon won the SHC B title. Their reward for claiming the crown was the Kit Mitchell Cup, the trophy named after a great legend of the club.

Not that winning the trophy was easy. Killyon defeated Longwood but only after a replay. In both games Longwood asked serious questions pertaining to Killyon’s hunger and just how much they wanted to win. The men in green and red came up with the answers those questions in a resounding, positive manner. They won the replay 3-13 to 1-12.

Now the Hill of Down club have a chance to win the Kit Mitchell Cup once more – and they can do just that. They are in the mix along with Kilskyre/Moylagh, Navan O’Mahonys, Longwood, Blackhall Gaels and Dunderry.

Like the SHC A each team in the B grade is guaranteed at least five games. After all the group games have been played the top team goes straight into the final, second and third into a semi-final, the bottom two into a relegation play-off unless the bottom team loses all their games.

The ultimate winners go up to Senior A for 2027 and Killyon have to be considered the favourites to make that leap. That’s not only because they won it last year but because they have the personnel to go all the way again, players such as Keith Keoghan, Mark Gannon, Justin Coyne, David Raleigh, Dylan Farrell. They also have David Mitchell back in as manager and he knows the players well and what is required to reach the summit.

Among their closest rivals are sure to be Kilskyre/Moylagh. Buoyed up by winning last year’s IHC, the north Meath club are very much on the rise. Some years ago they upgraded their facilities in a big way. That progressive, upwardly mobile approach has been reflected too in real progress on the field of play.

The club possess many highly talented players such a Tom Shine, Daire Shine, Sean Geraghty, Willie McGrath, Darren O’Higgins – to name just a few. After the IHC success they will want to push on.

Navan O’Mahonys won the IHC in 2024 and were winners of the HL Div 3 this year but have felt the stings of ill fortune also in recent seasons.

Beaten semi-finalists in the Senior B last year they are sure to make their presence felt once more but ultimate champions? Unlikely.

Another team who can really make their presence felt is Longwood. That defeat in the B final last year could spark Damien Healy, Mickey Burke, Sean Coloe & Co into ensuring they get it right this time around but time has moved on and with the addition of Kilskyre/Moylagh, and the new format, the B level has now become ultra competitive. The ‘Wood may have missed their chance.

It’s not so long ago either since Dunderry claimed the intermediate crown – 2022 in fact – but can they find the consistency to sustain a realistic challenge for the B crown? They have a nice mix of youth and experience and could prove a potent force.

One team who will be aiming to at least match last year’s achievements is Blackhall Gaels. They reached the SHC B semi-final in 2025 (losing out 0-15 to 1-14 to Longwood). They certainly have the players to reach the last four again, at least, but that may well be the limit of their progress.

Proving the doubters wrong can be a powerful motivation but can they do it?

Plenty of questions to be answered as the quest for the Kit Mitchell Cup is about to get underway.