Kildalkey clinch place in final

MEATH SHC champions Kildalkey are through to a third successive final following a 1-13 to 1-7 win over Trim at Pairc Tailteann on Saturday.

Their opponents in the decider will be Kilmessan, who strolled to a 2-10 to 1-4 victory over Kiltale in the first part of the double bill. After leading 0-6 to 0-4 at the break, Kildalkey were boosted by a Dan Fagan goal to give them a five-point cushion on 51 minutes. Although Neil Heffernan replied with a goal, the champions pulled away with scores from Sean Corrigan, Fagan, Patrick Conneely and Derek Doran.

Two first-half goals from Danny Maguire were crucial as Kilmessan had a surprisingly easy passage against Kiltale. Nicky Horan contributed seven points, six frees and a 65, as his side led 2-6 to 0-2 at the break. Even the dismissal of Kilmessan’s Peter Reynolds after a second yellow card 12 minutes after the restart made little difference. It finished 14-a-side after Kiltale substitute TJ Lynch saw red following a clash with Ger O’Neill.