SHC: Late Whitty strike saves Blackhall Gaels
June 19, 2017
Boardsmill's Thomas Leonard keeps his eye on the ball as Johnny Meyler and Niall Kelly Blackhall gaels give chase during the Meath SHC game at Longwood.
A pointed free from county star Shane Whitty with the last puck of the game earned Blackhall Gaels a share of the spoils with Boardsmill in this Senior Hurling Championship Group B match played in sweltering conditions at a well appointed Longwood.
Blackhall Gaels 2-12 Boardsmill 3-9
The game got underway a half an hour later that the fixed time of 2.30. Referee Nick Fitzgerald was delayed at a junior championship match in Athboy.
The opening half proved very disappointing as neither team got going but it was the favourites Blackhall who went in at the break 0-7 to 0-2 in front.
Boardsmill dominated the the opening ten minutes but were guilty of some bad wides. Shane Whitty got the scoreboard working with a pointed free. The Gaels number 14 accounted for 5 of Blackhall's opening half scores, all from placed balls.
Niall Weir finally got Boardsmill on the scoreboard putting over a 70 after 18 minutes. Midfielder Donie Flattery took over the free taking duties for Boardsmill and he finished out the first half scoring from a free as the Gaels went in at the break five up.
The second half proved a very lively affair. Flattery (2) traded points with Johnny Meyler and Whitty before the games first goal arrived courtesy of veteran Stephen Gibbons who was on hand to finish a high ball to the Blackhall net. Flattery pointed soon after and the lead was down to two points.
Shane Whitty put Blackhall back in control with a goal on the 15th minute. His brother Colm added a point after some excellent defending from Meyler and Blackhall were four in front 1-10 to 1-6.
Boardsmill refused to give up and that man again Gibbons blasted the ball to the Blackhall net to narrow the gap to the minimum. Almost immediately Blackhall stuck for a goal of their own courtesy of substitute Nigel O'Hora.
As the game entered injury time Boardsmill levelled matters when a high ball was finished to the Blackhall net by Cathal Wall. Niall Weir sent over a long distance free and the Mill were in front but with the last puck of the game Whitty pointed a free to level matters at the finish.
Next up for Blackhall Gaels are county champions Kiltale while Boardsmill take on Kildalkey.
Blackhall Gaels scorers: Shane Whitty 1-7, Colm Whitty 0-3, Nigel O'Hora 1-0, Johnny Meyler and Paul Kelly each.
Boardsmill scorers: Donal Flattery 0-6, Stephen Gibbons 2-0, Cathal Wall 1-0, Nial Weir 0-2, Keith Hamilton 0-1.
Refereee Nick Fitzgerald Kildalkey
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