Kilmessan can claim JHC redemption

JHC PREVIEW

The chance to land silverware is there for Kilmessan and Dunboyne when they face-off in the JHC final at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday.

This is the second time in few months Kilmessan will seek to claim the Tommy Kane Cup. In August they played Ratoath in the 2020 final - and lost out 1-11 to 2-11. Now here they are again with a chance for redemption.

Normally teams would have to wait a year for an opportunity to make up for a final defeat but Covid has triggered all sorts of unprecedented consequences in the GAA.

The indications are Kilmessan will get the formula right this time around. Kilmessan topped of the table after the league phase in the JHC, finishing ahead of Kiltale and Dunboyne.

Top spot, of course, ensured Kilmessan went straight into the final while Kiltale and Dunboyne had to play each other in a semi-final encounter. They did just that and what a tight affair it turned out to be, Dunboyne winning last week on a 3-9 to 1-14 scoreline.

Kilmessan have plenty of experience with Ger O'Neill and Charlie Keena among those who have turned out for them this year. They have others such as Paul Grimes and Jack Brady who can take their scores.

When the teams met in the group phase it finished a draw (Kilmessan 1-13, Dunboyne 2-10) suggesting the final will go right down to the wire. Dunboyne have shown a propensity to rack up big scores in their campaign so far.

They defeated Navan O'Mahonys 6-20 to 0-8 and Na Fianna 1-23 to 1-6. It all suggests a clinical ruthlessness that will severly test Kilmessan's resolve.

Yet Kilmessan will be driven by a desire to avoid another final defeat.

Such motivation could be enough to get them over the line.