Dunboyne 2-14
Blackhall Gaels 0-13

On what can only be called a scorcher of an evening two neighbouring clubs met to restart the League in Batterstown on Wednesday. Dunboyne and Blackhall have a strong history of tough matches and while the final score may not reflect it, this was by no means and easy task for the Black and Amber men.

Dunboyne started well and were first out of the blocks scoring 1-2 in the opening 5mins. Blackhall lost Kevin O'Keane to injury shortly after and Niall Kelly came on for his third match in four days. The score was 1-3 to 0-0 with Blackhall looking jittery. Tadhg Brosnan eventually started the Blackhall score sheet with a free. He quickly gained another crucial point and it looked like Blackhall were waking up. The match went score for score for the next 10 minutes with some great defending on both sides until a mix up at midfield left Blackhall vulnerable. Dunboyne took full advantage of this and Tommy Dalton could not save the bullet that hit the back of the net. At half time Dunboyne were well ahead 2-8 to 0-5. 

John Kelly came on late in the first half for his first game back from injury and it was him who pushed the lads up a gear. Himself and the other John Kelly worked together for the first score of the second half. Blackhall went on to score 5 points while Dunboyne only managed to register one. The supporters dared to dream of a comeback but after losing Conor Stenson  and Graham Dillon there was a lack of pace out the field. Dunboyne pressed on to keep those two goals between the sides and had they not been there the match may have turned out differently. Despite the four Toms' best efforts in the backs Dunboyne ran out deserving winners. Final score 2-14 to 0-13.

Tommy Dalton and Tom Murphy were probably the two most consistent Blackhall players on Wednesday, however the likes of Tom Delany, Hugh Smith, Dan O'Niell and Dan Carty all put in serious work. The subs that came on, barring John Kelly, had all played just two days before, while Niall Kelly faced his third in 4 days. Even still Niall was his
usual speedy self creating problems from Dunboyne as soon as he hit the pitch. Wednesday also saw debuts for Tom Walsh and James Kelly who both played brilliantly. Although it was slow to start the Blackhall team have many positives to take from this loss, and apply it to their match on Sunday against Simonstown.

Blackhall Gaels - Tommy Dalton, Daniel Carty, Dan O'Neill, Conor Stenson (B), Colm McElligot (0-1), Tom Murphy, Kevin O'Keane, Tom Delany (0-1), Paddy O'Brien, Hugh Smith, Alan Nestor, John Kelly (B) (0-1), Paul Kelly (0-1), Tadhg Brosnan (0-8(5F)), Graham Dillon (0-1). Subs: Niall Kelly, John Kelly, Tom Walsh, James Kelly, Darren Byrne, Mark Ferris

Ref: Patrick Nelis

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