Kilmessan shoot their way to victory as Na Fianna battle to the end

Nicky Horan's men get back to winning ways

Kilmessan2-19

Na Fianna0-18

Both teams had the same sequence of results approaching this game, two wins from three played, so they knew before the start they could really take a significant step towards copperfastening their place in the knock-out phase with a win.

As it turned out Kilmessan took that step at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday, but they did it without setting off any fireworks. This was a case of job done, assignment completed, mission accomplished, no more, no less.

Whether Kilmessan they can be considered serious contenders for the title this time around is another thing. Based on the evidence presented in this engaging encounter the answer would have to be no. Not yet.

The victims of an shock and awe ambush by Dunderry in the previous round Kilmessan did at least get back to winning ways here helped greatly by goals from Eoin Harkin, who found the net after just 55 seconds, with Lorcan Byrne adding another major after just six minutes.

However, despite that breakneck start, they struggled to pull clear of Na Fianna who - sustained by some outstanding displays from Shane Walsh, Luke Kelly, Ronan Byrne and Sean Martin - doggedly stayed on the race and with a little more composure and accuracy in front of the posts really could have made the final furlong a nervy one for Nicky Horan's side.

Defeated semi-finalists last year Kilmessan are still a work in progress, a team evolving and developing, their numbers bolstered by a battalion of young guns who will surely have their day but that could be some time off yet.

An enormously encouraging feature for the winners the fact that nine of their number got on the scoreboard with Luke Horan, Shane Brennan, Lorcan O'Connor, Cian O'Sullivan, Byrne, Darragh Horan and Seanie Doyle all bagging scores from play, some of them neatly worked points, sweetly taken.

Mark Horan also registered five points from frees and a 65 while Harkin netted his very early goal, cutting in from the wing before batting the ball to the back of the net.

Kilmessan did stay in front throughout the game, another positive for them. They led 2-9 to 0-16 at the interval and managed to remain one step ahead despite a concerted effort by their opponents in the muggy conditions.

What the Kilmessan players also have is a willingness to graft hard; to close down, hunt in numbers. Lorcan Byrne typified that huge commitment with his 1-1 and a lot of good work around the field. Luke Horan, Lorcan O'Connor, Darragh Horan and Shane Brennan were others who had significant roles in the victory. Kilmessan legend Steven Clynch, now manning the goals, played his part with some pin-point puck outs.

Na Fianna can reflect on decent display undermined by the spurning of some good opportunities. Patrick Jordan also unleashed a shot after 10 minutes with the ball rebounding off the bar while Walsh had a 'goal' chalked out late on for square ball. He also forced a good save from Clynch.

Walsh hit five for very good points, while Rory Fagan marked a busy, energetic display with six minors, four frees. Michael Heffernan helped himself to two points, one from a memorable sideline cut, while Peter Slevin, Mark Slevin and Oisin Bright also contributed scores.

While they could be very effective moving the ball forward Na Fianna lacked a greater cutting edge in attack. Kilmessan benefited and march on.

Kilmessan - Stephen Clynch; Noah Conroy, Luke Horan (0-3), Peter Farrell; Paddy Lally, Harry Cahill, Kyle Donnelly; Lorcan O'Connor (0-1), Cian O'Sullivan (0-1); Lorcan Byrne (1-1), Darragh Horan (0-1), Shane Brennan (0-3); Mark Horan (0-4 three frees, one 45), Eoin Harkin (1-0), Seanie Doyle (0-5 three frees). Subs - Kris Gorman for O'Connor 45m, Finn Conroy for D Horan 55m, Chris Greene for Brennan 62m.

Na Fianna - Adam Farrell; Anthony Healy, Stephen Slevin, Cian Doherty; Oisin Bright (0-1), Ronan Byrne, Eoin Bright; Luke Kelly, Sean Coffey; Patrick Jordan, Rory Fagan (0-6 four frees), Sean Martin; Michael Heffernan (0-2 one sideline cut), Shane Walsh (0-5), Peter Slevin (0-2). Subs - Mark Slevin (0-2 one free) for E Bright 26m, Finn Witchlow for Jordan 59m.

Referee - Sean Stack (Dublin).