Kildalkey keep the dream alive after extra-time

Last Saturday's SHC semi-final between the two leading members of Meath hurling's K-Club was expected to be a close, uncompromising, in-your-face type of game with every score dug out of granite. And it was all that and more. In the end this close, high-tempo contest had to go to extra-time with Kildalkey finding another gear when they needed it most to secure a place in the final for fourth successive year. The dream of a three-in-a-row is still very much alive and the spectators who turned up for this encounter certainly got their money's worth. This was a fine example of Meath club hurling at its best with two well-prepared, fired-up teams willing to stand toe-to-toe and slug it out for as long as it took. The sides were level (0-6 apiece) at half-time. They were level (0-13 to 1-10 ) after an hour. The were still inseparable at the break in extra-time (0-14 to 1-11). However, with just three minutes played in the second period of extra-time Kildalkey took a decisive step towards victory when Sean Heavey delivered a long ball into Fergus McMahon who was loitering with intent on the edge of the Kilmessan square. McMahon showed his experience and craft to slip past his marker before firing the ball to the net from close range. Soon after Noel Kirby slotted over from play and at that stage there was no way back for beleagured Kilmesssan who clearly had didn't have another card to play. Up to then no-one could be sure which way the pendulum would swing. Coming up to the end of the 60 minutes Derek Doran fired over a fine point from a difficult angle to put Kildalkey ahead by the minimum. It looked to be enough. Then, almost inevitably up stepped Nicky Horan to slot over a free after referee Richie Morris had brought the ball forward for dissent. While five players got on the scoreboard for Kildalkey, all but one point of Kilmessan's 1-11 came from Nicky Horan with Kevin Keena the exception. Horan's goal came on 54 minutes and hauled back Kildalkey's three-point lead. Kilmessan were awarded a free 20 metres out and, surprisingly, Horan went for goal. He found a gap and the ball nestled in the net. Kildalkey found scores from a variety of sources, but it was Kirby who led the way with his 11 points. He slotted over four excellent points from play in a barnstorming performance, perhaps the best he has produced for Kildalkey. Kirby could also have added a goal to his collection when his team were awarded a penalty early in the second-half. Doran crossed to Padraig Keogh who was dragged down just inside the square. From Kirby's 'spot-puck' the ball rebounded against the upright and was scrambled clear. Sean Heavey capped a fine display with two points from play while Padraig Keogh and Doran were others to trouble the scorekeeper. Kildalkey welcomed back Mairtin Doran from injury and he helped to form a very sturdy half-back line along with Maurice Keogh and Enda Keogh while Sean Corrigan and Heavey won a lot of ball around midfield. Not that Kilmessan didn't enjoy some success around the central sector. Kildalkey won more possession from puck-outs than their opponents, but only on a 22-17 count. Padraig Keogh returned from America earlier in the week and he, along with his brothers Enda and Maurice, were outstanding adding copious amounts of skill and steel to their team's challenge. Padraig also grabbed two excellent points. At the back Conor Dunne, Stephen Forde and Eoin Potterton were also sharp and alert - as they needed to be. Obviously wary of the threat posed by Derek Doran and the Kildalkey forwards Kilmessan opted to take a player from attack and use him as an extra defender with Stephen Clynch employed as a 'sweeper' in front of the full-back line. It was always going to be a high-risk strategy and relied on the team taking most of the chances that came their way. Yet it almost worked as Horan fired over points and '65s' with his usual high level of accuracy. The downside for Kilmessan was that their forwards - and there was often only two of them in the opposition half - lived off scraps. Ger O'Neill got very little possession. It meant that one of Kilmessan's most experienced and capable players was on the margins of the game. The strategy did succeed in stifling the Kildalkey attack with players such as Derek Doran, Padraig Geoghegan and Patrick Conneely denied time and space. Yet it was a surprisingly negative approach from a team of Kilmessan's ability and it effectively meant that Kildalkey were free to launch attack after attack. Eventually the dam burst and McMahon's goal put the game beyond Kilmessan's reach. Undefeated up to Sunday Kilmessan had some excellent displays with Patrick McGovern, Martin Horan and Peter Reynolds all showing up particularly well. It was in attack that Kilmessan needed something extra. They couldn't find it. Kildalkey - C Flynn; C Dunne, S Forde, E Potterton; M Keogh, E Keogh, M Doran; S Corrigan, T Fox; S Heavey (0-2), N Kirby (0-11, seven frees), P Geoghegan; P Conneely, P Keogh (0-2), D Doran (0-1). Sub - G Kelly for Conneely 37 mins; F McMahon (1-0) for Corrigan 48m; Conneely for Fox 67m. Kilmessan - S Power; P Maguire, P Brien, P McGovern; M Horan, S Clynch, P Reynolds; G O'Neill, E Marsh; J Keena, N Horan (1-10), D Donnelly; S Brennan, C Keena, D Maguire. Subs - K Keena (0-1) for D Maguire 41 mins; M Doyle for Marsh 44m; P Farrell for Reynolds 71m. Referee - Richard Morris (Blackhall Gaels)