Blast from the past: 1998 County Minor 'B' Hurling Champions.

It 20 years since the winning of the County Minor 'B' hurling championship turned around the club's fortunes with the winning of the title kick starting a fruitful few years for the club.
The club were winning a minor title for the first time in sixteen years whilst the team were a foundation for many of Kiladangan's later successes.

In the North championship, Kiladangan had a marathon in the Semi Final. It took three and a half hours of hurling over three matches - one with extra time - to overcome a battling Silvermines. They finally managed it with a six point win. In the North final, they took on Portroe in Toomevara and ran out comfortable winners on a 2-10 to 1-5 scoreline. The Guardian was impressed by several of the winning side - Dan Hackett, Thomas Clarke and Willie White in the backs, Gerry Slattery at midfield, John Collins, Davy Coen and Graham Finch up front. But it singled out one player for paticular praise and that was the impressive Tommy Connors. The scorers on the day were Tommy Connors (0-5), Paddy Lynch (1-0), Graham Finch (1-0), John Collins (0-2), Gerry Slattery (0-1), Davy Coen (0-1) and Dan Hackett (0-1).

They took on Kilsheelan Kilcash in the County semi final in Holycross with Kiladangan proving too classy for the south side winning on a 2-15 to 1-6 scoreline (2-8 to 1-2 was the half time scoreline). Graham Finch was the leading scorer grabbing 2-4 whilst the remaining scorers were as follows: Tommy Connors (0-4), Gerry Slattery (0-3), Paddy Lynch (0-2), Sean Gleeson (0-1) and John Collins (0-1).

They made history at Semple Stadium on Sunday 1st November 1998 when they took the club's first County Minor title. The match was a curtain raiser to the County Senior final and Moycarkey Borris were strong and skillful opposition. Kiladangan faced a stiff breeze in the opening half and did well to restrict the mid champions to a 0-8 to 0-4 lead at the interval. Tommy Connors scored three points from frees, Graham Finch got the fourth. Kiladangan were rocked by a Moycarkey goal in the twelfth minute of the second half that left them six points in arrears. But it was now, said the Guardian, that they showed their courage, tenacity and never say die spirit. They put fierce pressure on the Moycarkey goals, the ball broke to Gerry Slattery and he lashed it to the net.
Five minutes later Tommy Connors put over a point and Gerry Slattery added another to reduce the gap to the minimum. But a point from Pat Carey five minutes from time seemed to ensure that the Broderick Cup was on its way to Moycarkey. It is best let the Guardian describe what happened next:
Kiladangan captain Gerry Slattery sent a high ball dropping into the goal. The Moycarkey keeper caught it but in doing so appeared to step back over the line. The umpire raised the green flag immediately and Kiladangan were in front at the most crucial stage of the game.

In the dying minutes they clung on to their precarious one point lead. The match finished Kiladangan 2-8 Moycarkey Borris 1-10. Gerry Slattery was the leading scorer with 2-2, Tommy Connors chipped in with 0-5 and Graham Finch got 0-1. Dan Hackett was awarded Man of the Match for his excellent work at centre back. In summing up, the Guardian wondered if that Minor victory would be a springboard for future adult success for Kiladangan? Prophetic words indeed.

County Final Starting team;

1.Denis Slattery (Hogan's Pass)

2.Thomas Clarke (Frolic)
3.Hughie Flannery (Monsea)
4.Liam Kelly (Puckane)

5.Willie White (Dromineer)
6.Dan Hackett (Urra)
7.Liam Slattery (Ballyanny)

8.Tommy Connors (Ballyhogan)
9.Paul Kirwan (Ballycommon)

10.John Collins (Puckane)
11.Gerry Slattery (Hogan's Pass)
12.Sean Gleeson (Killaun)

13.Noel McGrath (Dromineer)
14.Graham Finch (Dromineer)
15.Paddy Lynch (Shannonvale)

16.Brian Fox (Carney)
17.Davy Coen (Johnstown)
18.Paul Hogan (Ballydrinan)
19.Ger Quinn (Gurteenakilla)
20.Gary Corcoran (Ballycommon)
21.Martin Nolan (Annaghbeg)
22.Michael Slattery (Hogan's Pass)
23.Eric Kirwan (Ballycommon)

Management:
Seamus Hayes (RIP)
Eamon Kelly
Donal Hackett
Paddy Hayes

Path to the final:
Round 1 - Kiladangan 0-5 Templederry Kenyons 0-5

Round 2 - Kiladangan 2-8 Lorrha Dorrha 2-6

Round 3 - a bye

Round 4 - Kiladangan 5-14 Ballinahinch 1-7

Semi Final - Kiladangan 1-12 Silvermines 3-6
Kiladangan 3-11 Silvermines 1-17 (AET)
Kiladangan 2-6 Silvermines 0-6

North Final - Kiladangan 2-10 Portroe 1-5

County Semi Final - Kiladangan 2-15 Kilsheelan Kilcash 1-6

Final - Kiladangan 2-8 Moycarkey Borris 1-10