Kiltegan romp to victory

THE ‘awesome power’ of Kiltegan hurling was very much evident in their destruction of Kilcoole in Arklow in their championship opener.

The west men were understrength for their opening championship game of the 2000 campaign but they left no doubt as to their intentions when the final whistle sounded in this one-sided clash in beautiful sunshine in Pearse’s Park.

That sunshine is what was blamed for Kiltegan goalkeeper Tony Kelly’s concession of two early goals from the Goosebank side as Michael Keesham and Kris Farrell saw their shots sneak under the crossbar to give the underdogs a real sense of purpose.

However, powerhouse performances from the likes of centre-back Ciaran O’Keeffe, Denis Hayes, Jeffrey Bermingham, Lar Byrne, Keith Furlong and Sean Byrne drove Kiltegan to their comprehensive victory in the end.

Goals from Sean Byrne (2) and John O’Toole helped Kiltegan to a 3-11 to 2-3 lead at the break.

Kilcoole were well served by Kris Farrell, Gerry Murray and Paul Deere but they were seriously up against it all over the field against the defending champions.

KILTEGAN: Tony Kelly; Alan Byrne, Lar Byrne, Denis Hayes; Lorcan Byrne, Ciaran O’Keeffe (0-1), Michael Cullen; Christy O’Toole (0-2), Ciaran Clancy; Jeffrey Bermingham (0-4), John O’Toole (1-3), John Keogh (0-2); Keith Furlong (1-5), Sean Byrne (3-2), Michael Moran (0-1). Sub: Anthony Furlong (0-1) for J Bermingham.

KILCOOLE: Darragh Sweeney; Ciaran Doyle, Joe Fortune, Paul Sweeney; Cathal O’Mara, Gerry Murray, Ross Keddy; Kris Farrell (1-0), John Berkery (0-1); Michael Keesham (1-0), Paul Deere (0-1), Shay Hutton (2-0); Jason O’Beirne, Frank McLoughlin (0-1), Jimmy Sunderland. Subs: Peter O’Brien for F McLoughlin, George Lee for Jason O’Beirne.