Blackhall Gaels' luck deserted them in the relegation play-off matches against O'Mahonys. Royal County takes a look at the season that saw them drop a grade. While Blackhall Gaels departed the Meath SFC scene in 2000, they earned a number of admirers before leaving a stage which was graced for just two seasons of Keegan Cup endeavour. One of Meath's newest clubs, Blackhall Gaels was formed in early 1995 as an amalgamation of Batterstown and Kilcloon and did not take long to make their mark, landing the IFC title in 1998, while there have been some notable underage successes in the six years of the club's short history to date. After gaining promotion to the senior ranks in 1998 with a 0-12 to 1-8 IFC final victory over St. Patrick's, Blackhall performed creditably enough when winning two senior championship games in the first year up in the top grade. However, there was no SFC win for Tommy Nolan's charges in their second season and the autumn saw a curious twist of fate with Blackhall Gaels going down and St. Patrick's gaining overdue elevation to the top grade. In 1999 the senior newcomers made a promising championship start against Dunderry at Dunshaughlin when sprinting into a 1-6 to 0-1 lead in the first half before conceding the initiative and ending up as 1-10 to 1-12 losers. The side in the blue and yellow jerseys showed enough in that game to be described as "a worthwhile addition to the SFC, especially if reproducing some of the vintage fare of the first period." Blackhall benefited from running one of the top club football teams in the county so close and won their next two games, defeating neighbours Moynalvey by 0-11 to 0-6 and then putting the previous year's beaten finalists, Oldcastle, out of contention with a 1-9 to 0-10 victory in Athboy. Nolan's charges were in contention until the first weekend of September when Skryne ousted them on a 0-18 to 1-9 scoreline despite all six of the losers starting forwards getting among the scorers. Twelve days earlier Blackhall Gaels had won the MFC title for the first time with a 2-10 to 1-4 final victory over Summerhill with up and coming players like John Callanan, George Beirne, Tadhg Brosnan, John O'Brien and Andrew Dalton among the main contributors to that success. All of the above players figured in the amazing SFC relegation play off against Navan O'Mahonys, who survived by the skin of their teeth after over 150 minutes of frenzied action at Dunsany, the first day in miserable conditions and the replay in much finer weather. Blackhall turned in their best displays of the 2000 SFC in those two games against the Brews Hill side with the second tie, which went to extra time, the most exciting contest seen in the championship all year. When the 1998 intermediate winners eventually stepped back down to that grade, those who witnessed the epic survival saga, including the O'Mahonys contingent, could only feel sorry for the demoted braves who had contributed so much to the two thrilling ties. After losing the second of them by the minimum margin, 2-13 to 1-17, Blackhall were left with some questions to ponder on. The main question marks were hanging around a penalty and a free kick at the end of normal time and extra time respectively. With just over two minutes of the second hour left and the sides level at 1-9 apiece, Mark Crampton was fouled for a penalty. Mark Ferris, who had put the ball into the full forward, took the safer option of taking the point instead of going for broke and the goal. After being let off the hook, O'Mahonys responded with their sole score of the second half, a Stephen Bray point, to keep the supporters of the respective sides on tenterhooks for an additional half hour. A goal from Tadhg Brosnan at the start of extra time relieved the pressure for the Blackhall brigade but they were pegged back to equal terms as the marathon went into its final chapter. While the saga did have a dramatic finish, as far as the south county performers were concerned, the ending was not a happy one as again Mark Ferris took a centre role. The free taker and centre forward had been taken off in the first period of extra time only to be brought back on when his side was awarded a free about 35 metres out in front of the goals. Paul Nestor was shaping up to take the kick only for Ferris to be sent back on with the latter's effort falling short and to the left. This observer was left wonder why another substitute, Tadhg Brosnan who had sent over a few terrific points in the Junior C final the previous Sunday, was not entrusted with the kick. After giving the big crowds, many of them neutrals, such excellent value for money on both afternoons, few would have been disappointed had the tie gone to a second replay. The initial relegation play off finished at 0-9 for Blackhall Gaels and 1-6 for O'Mahonys with no score in the last quarter after the men in blue and yellow had led by 0-7 to 0-2 at the break. Over the two games the south county side was unlucky to concede a soft goal in each with netminder John O'Brien unfortunate both 'majors.' Before lifting themselves with battling displays against their town rivals, Blackhall had failed to impress in their three previous SFC ties, losing to Dunshaughlin, Cortown and Skryne. The campaign opened at Skryne against 1999 beaten finalists Dunshaughlin who served up a taste of things to come when posting 21 points to just seven from their neighbours. Although the sides did not know it at the time, the second round clash between Blackhall and Cortown at Bective was a preliminary relegation play off. Cortown won it by 0-14 to 0-13 with their opponents missing the injured Nigel Nestor. One of the winners points was disputed and John O'Brien brought off a couple of terrific saves. Blackhall's senior county player was also sidelined for the 0-11 to 3-11 defeat by Skryne in Dunboyne. The defending Keegan Cup holders trailed by 0-1 to 0-8 towards the end of the first half before rallying to lead by 2-3 to 0-8 at the interval and then stamping their authority on the second half. Incidentally Blackhall were awarded a penalty in the last quarter of that game too. Paul Nestor took it and put the shot over the bar! After dropping down, Blackhall Gaels will have their work cut out as they attempt to gain a speedy return to senior ranks. Last summer both Carnaross and Slane failed to make it to the knock out stages of the IFC, having been relegated the previous autumn. Blackhall could be involved in some intermediate local derbies with the likes of Drumree, Moynalvey and St Paul's. Following the good run of the club's second string to the Junior C final, the gaels should have plenty of strong competition for places on the first team in the coming months. In the knock out stages of the Junior C FC Blackhall ousted Dunderry and Summerhill, both third teams, to reach the final in which they were edged out by Navan O'Mahonys. At the quarter final stage 1-3 from Martin Whelan and five points by Tadhg Brosnan spearheaded a 1-13 to 1-7 victory over Dunderry. Then in the penultimate round Moynalvey was the venue for the clash against Summerhill and 2-1 from Fergal Glynn was among the main ingredients for a 3-10 to 2-9 success. The Junior C title decider was in the middle of a three part helping of games between the Brews Hill and Blackhall rivals, who also have a healthy rivalry at underage level. The meat in the middle of the sandwich proved suitably tasty and for a good part of the course it looked as if the Gaels would serve up a winning dish. As in the drawn senior clash of seven days earlier, Blackhall set a strong pace in the first half and were ahead by six points, 0-7 to 0-1, before leading by 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval. The in form Tadhg Brosnan put his name on six of the Blackhall scorer in the first half with five of them coming from play. At the end of the third quarter Blackhall were ahead by 0-11 to 0-7 after points from Owen Creevey, Fergal Glynn and Brosnan (free) after the change of ends. But the latter's seventh score proved to be his side's last entry on the board as the town team added six points to win by 0-14 to 0-11. Liam Reilly was manager of the Blackhall junior C side with Michael Joyce his assistant. David Ledwith was the captain and George Beirne was another forward show up well in the final. The team which played in that decider was: John Fitzgerald, Cyril O'Brien, Noel O'Hora, Daniel McCarthy, John Joyce, Brendan Jennings, Paul Neville, Owen Creevey, Johnny O'Hora, George Beirne, Fergal Glynn, David Ledwith, Tadhg Brosnan, Martin Whelan, Jamie Moore. Subs: Ciaran Kennedy for Moore, David Crampton for Whelan. Revanche! Blackhall Gaels suffered the ignominy of a whitewash against O'Mahonys in the Under 14 League final, but the Kilcloon/Batterstown lads replied in the best possible manner when gaining revenge a couple of weeks later in the championship decider. Shane O'Brien spoke to the team's manager Tom Meyler about a rollercoaster year. O'Mahony's may have got the better of Blackhall Gaels in the Under 14 FL Div 1 decider but it was the Kilcloon/Batterstown lads who had the last laugh when claiming the championship crown at the expense of the Navan men a couple of weeks later. 'Jekyl and Hyde' is a most appropriate term to describe Blackhall's displays in the two finals. Dunsany was the venue for the league decider at the beginning of the June. Blackhall had collected the points in the group game at Batterstown with five points to spare so confidence was high that they could finish off the job in style. Things, however, didn't pan out quite the way the south Meath men had anticipated and they were comprehensively defeated by 2-9 to 0-3. The Bovale-sponsored side's semi-final victory over Donaghmore/Ashbourne, 4-11 to 1-6, set up the championship re-match and that was fixed for Skryne on 5th July. In an astonishing reversal of fortunes, the team in yellow and blue stripes emerged victorious by 2-5 to 1-4. Revenge was never sweeter, but what did manager Tom Meyler and his selectors, Michael Mullally and Frank Broad, say to the team in the interim that made such a difference? "It was nothing that we said," replied Tom. "The lads realised that they had failed to do themselves justice in the league so they were determined to redeem themselves. They had a much more positive attitude for the championship final and that showed in the way they played." It certainly did as just when it looked as though a replay would be required to separate the sides, Meyler's charges found that extra gear when it was needed most. Centre half forward Jonathon Meyler (Tom's son) sent over a point on the stroke of full-time. O'Mahony's went in search of equaliser and had a couple of opportunities before Paddy Duffy compounded their woes with an injury-time goal. Duffy and Meyler were the main thorns in the O'Mahonys defence and contributed 1-4 of their team's total between them. Sean Rattigan was the best midfielder on view and the large amount of possession he won laid the foundations for Blackhall's success. The defensive trio of Lester Garvey, Declan Dalton and Martin O'Neill proved to be the rock on which the majority of O'Mahonys' attacks perished. Tom is keen to point out though that the main strength of this team was its overall balance. "We were strong in every department of the field. There was no area where we had reason to be concerned about a weakness. All fifteen players were potential match-winners on their day." The team's success came as no surprise at all to the Wexford native. Past performances in recent years had taught him that they were more than capable of holding their own with the cream of the Meath U14 crop. "I don't wish to sound arrogant but we did expect to do very well this year. This team was beaten by O'Mahonys in the U12 championship final two years ago. It's probably fair to say that we should have that day as we hit 17 wides. "The two teams met again in the Feile final last November. At half-time we led by 15 points but they came back strongly in the second half. We eventually held on to win by two points and earned the right to represent Meath in this year's Feile na nOg which was held in Dublin." Tom continues: "We were very unfortunate not to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Feile. We drew with Fingallians in our first game, won the second before losing to Churchill of Kerry by four points in the game which decided who would progress from the group. It was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion however despite not progressing beyond the group stages." Meyler, Mullally and Broad have been involved with this team since the youngsters were nine years of age and they've derived as much pleasure out of the success as the boys themselves. As the affable Meyler says: "there's nothing better to get the 'oul adrenaline going". Tom, who is a plasterer and building contractor, moved to Batterstown from his native Gusserane in 1984. He wasn't a bad footballer in his day either as his selection on Model County underage teams testify to. He was a member of the Gusserane team which garnered Wexford SFC honours in 1975. Son Jonathon has obviously inherited his father's passion for gaelic games and his performances with Blackhall's U14s suggest that he has a bright future in gaelic football. Another reason for celebration for the Meyler family arrived at half-time of the Leinster senior hurling final between Kilkenny and Offaly this year when Jonathon, who's also a dab hand at the small ball code, beat off stiff competition to land the Leinster U14 'long-puck' competition. So what does the future hold in store for the Meath U14 football champions of 2000? "The last time a team from Blackhall Gaels represented Meath in the Feile the same bunch went on to win the Meath minor championship a couple of years later. These lads have the ability to emulate that achievement if they stick together and continue working as a team. "It's up to us to keep them playing but we have a big advantage too in that all of them come from strong footballing backgrounds. That really is the key to keeping them interested and hopefully it will reap dividends over the coming years." Blackhall Gaels - E Broad; I Mulreid, D Dalton, L Garvey; M Snee, M O'Neill, P O'Brien (1-0); S Rattigan, D Keogh; T Coyle, J Meyler (0-2), D O'Hanlon; M Mullally (0-1), P Duffy (1-2), S Whelan. Tweet

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