Its has been some year so far for Ballinlough. With the Intermediate football championship in the bag, a Leinster Club quarter final to look forward to, not to mention the Division 2 League and Intermediate Cup deciders. Last night at a wet and windy Cortown the clubs Under 21's qualified for the 'C' semi final with a three point win over Blackhall Gaels.

Before proceeding got underway there was a minutes silence and a round of applause for the late Aidan Dalton. This was Blackhall Gaels' first game back since his tragic passing.

The opening half was a fairly even affair with Ballinlough holding a three point lead at the interval. The outstanding Johnnie Reilly got the games opening score for the North Meath club. But Blackhall inspired by the boot of Paul Kelly raced 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 15 minutes.

The game turned back in Ballinlough's favour when Daire Farrelly got on the end of a long through ball to find the back of the Gaels net. Ballinlough followed this up with three points from Adam Fox, Mark McCullen and a fine effort from Gary Reilly. Kelly responded with two pointed frees for Blackhall as Ballinlough went in at the break 1-5 to 0-5 ahead.

Blackhall dominated the opening exchanges of the second half. Again it was Paul Kelly who led the way. The number 11 opened the scoring with a fine point and converted a penalty to give his team a 1-6 to 1-5 lead after ten minutes. The Gaels were still a point up, 1-8 to 1-7, with ten minutes remaining and looked likely winners. But the Mattie McDonnell Cup winners driven on by James Baugh, Johnnie Reilly and Jack Tunney came to life and posted the last four scores of the game. Three of those scores came from the boot of Tunney.

Ballinlough take on Bective in the semi final.

Ballinlough: Lorcan Gibney, Matthew Farrell, Paul Farrelly, James Baugh, Jonathan O'Reilly, Johnnie Reilly 0-3, Gary Reilly 0-1, Kevin Byrne, Jonathan Montgomery, Mark McCullen 0-2, Adam Fox 0-1, Daire Farrelly 1-0, Jack Tunney 0-4.
Subs: Brian Brady, Oliver Brady, Micheal Geraghty.

Blackhall Gaels scorers: Paul Kelly 1-6, Shane Whitty and Niall Kelly 0-1 each

Referee Peter O'Halloran

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