SHC semi final: Kiltale down holders to set up final date with Kilmessan

Brian O'Reilly keeps possession for Kiltale as Ratoath's Liam Kelly closes in during the SHC semi final at Dunganny

Kiltale 1-18 Ratoath 2-13

Kiltale ended Ratoath’s quest for a three in a row of Jubilee Cup titles with this impressive display in blustery conditions at Devenish Park Dunganny.

John Donoghue’s men lined out without the influential Hugh O’Sullivan but that didn’t effect the men in maroon as they dominated large parts of this very entertaining clash at Meath COE.

Kiltale, playing with the wind, got a brilliant start and were 1-1 to 0-0 up inside three minutes, Ross Ryan with the goal. By the end of the first quarter they led 1-5 to 0-3 before Cian Rogers broke through for a Ratoath goal. Craig Gilsenan and James Kelly kept the scoreboard working for the winners and with ten minutes remaining the gap was out four. Rogers, Niall McLarnon and Daithi McGowan made it a one point game but before the half time whistle brilliant points from James Kelly and Jack Regan gave Kiltale a 1-11 to 1-7 half time lead.

Kiltale dominated the early exchanges of the second half. Regan pointed three times and the lead was out to six with 15 minutes to go. Bryan Mcmahon threw the holders a lifeline with a well taken goal and Podge O’Hanrahan brought the lead down to two. Kiltale refused to panic. Conor Ryan and Jack Regan kept the scoreboard ticking. With minutes remaining O’Hanrahan made it a one score game but Kelly added his third to give his side some breathing space. The two in a row champions didn’t give up. O’Hanrahan landed another brace but time ran out and Kiltale were on their way to the final against Kilmessan in Trim in two weeks time.

Kiltale: Shane McGann, Jack Bannon, larla Hughes, Sean Harrigan, James Kelly 0-3, Philly Garvey 0-1, Fearghal McCabe, Brian O'Reilly, Conor Ryan 0-2, Adam Murphy, Craig Gilsenan 0-3, Mark O'Sullivan 0-1, Peter Durnin, Ross Ryan 1-0, Jack Regan 0-8. Subs: Conor Quinn and Cillian O’Sullivan

Ratoath scorers: Podge O’Hanrahan 0-7, Cian Rogers 1-2, Bryan McMahon 1-0, Daithi McGowan 0-2, Niall McLarnon 0-1, Eoin Flanagan 0-1

Referee: Derek Argue