SFC: Kilbride find that little bit extra to secure status

Kilbride's Josh Harford

Kilbride 0-21 Na Fianna 1-15

Last year’s Intermediate Football Championship winners Kilbride secured their place at the top table of Meath championship football with this pulsating extra-time win over Na Fianna under lights at Batterstown.

James Gavin got Kilbride on the scoreboard first. Na Fianna replied with three unanswered points from Conor Downey, the returning Shane Walsh and Daniel Queeney. Kilbride were back on level terms with a two-pointer from goalkeeper Luke Faherty.

Na Fianna gained control in the final ten minutes of the half and took a 0-7 to 0-4 lead to the dressing room.

By the end of the third quarter, Johnny Baldwin’s men had opened up a 0-10 to 0-6 advantage. Josh Hartford kick-started the Kilbride revival with his first score. Adam Malone, Hartford and a David O’Leary two-pointer had the sides level at 0-11 each with eight minutes remaining.

Hartford, with a two-pointer, and Caolan Howard gave the Mattie McDonnell Cup holders a three-point advantage and they looked set for a first senior championship win since 1978. Seán Rafferty reduced the gap to two and, with time up, Downey sent over a brilliant two-pointer to send the game to extra-time.

Anthony Moyles’ men led 0-16 to 0-14 at the end of the first ten-minute period, but with six minutes remaining Seán Rafferty had the game tied up again at 0-18 to 1-15 with a goal.

Kilbride were not to be denied. David O’Leary pointed and, before the full-time whistle, Hartford landed another two-pointer to secure Kilbride’s place in the Senior Football Championship for 2027.

Kilbride scorers: Josh Hartford 0-8, David O’Leary 0-5, James Gavin 0-2, Luke Faherty 0-2, Andrew McWeeney 0-2, Adam Malone 0-1, Caolan Howard 0-1.

Na Fianna scorers: Daniel Queeney 0-5, Seán Rafferty 1-2, Conor Downey 0-3, Shane Walsh 0-1, Luke Kelly 0-1, Cormac Rafferty 0-1, Ethan Devine 0-1, Oran Smullen 0-1.

Referee: Cormac Reilly.