Blackhall Gaels are in existence only four short years. The amalgamation between Kilcoon and Batterstown had its doubting Thomases. But, as Royal County finds out, 1998 and an intermediate title success, proved the doubters wrong. The Meath club senior football scene in 1999 will be graced by a new name following Blackhall Gaels' thrilling BCR Press IFC triumph. It only took Blackhall four attempts to take the title after being formed as an amalgamation of Kilcloon and Batterstown in early 1995. There weren't particularly spectacular results in the first two IFC campaigns but things started taking off for Tom Nolan's charges during his first year in charge, and an exciting display for much of a semi-final clash with eventual outright winners Dunshaughlin augured well for the future. This year the side in blue and yellow overcame a losing start to eventually lift the Mattie McDonnell Cup with victory over St.Patricks in a final which was described by one onlooker as the best game seen at Pairc Tailteann in a few years. Parish pride was reflected in Blackhall captain Stephen Nally's victory speech. "This is a great day for the entire parish. A number of people said the amalgamation would be a disaster. A lot of people said it wouldn't work but we have proved today that it has worked and this win as well as all the successes over the last four years proves that," remarked the wing forward. The amalgamation came about in January of 1995 when Kilcloon and Batterstown joined forces. There wasn't an impressive legacy of past triumphs on either side. Kilcloon were in the JFC roll of honour as winners in 1925 and '73 while Batterstown were never higher than Junior A ranks, having taken B titles in 1972 ,'82 and '94. The possibility of an amalgamation of the two clubs in the same parish was often talked over the years but nothing positive was done about it until the winter of 1994-'95. The ball was set rolling when a few under age officials got talking about the matter during a trip to Kerry. Liam Brady who had past experience of amalgamations in Bohermeen parish, chaired a meeting which was attended by Kilcloon and Batterstown members. Then both clubs put the proposed amalgamation before their own clubs on the same night. There was no opposition in Kilcloon and although the voting was closer in Batterstown, the unity proposal was also accepted there. When the inaugural AGM of Blackhall Gaels was held John Maye was elected chairman, Denis Doyle vice-chairman, Phelim Dolan became secretary and Noel Farrell assistant secretary. Blackhall is a townland in the middle of the parish and soon the new club fielded their first adult teams in games in Batterstown. Cortown provided the opposition in football and beat the locals by 2-10 to 2-1. Owen Creevey had the honour of being the club's first scorer with a goal and David Nolan also found the net. That was followed by a hurling game in which Blackhall beat Moynooth by 2-5 to 1-3. The Kilcloon - Batterstown combination's first game in the IFC was against Gaeil Colmcille at Pairc Tailteann. Blackhall Gaels got off to a winning start on a 1-11 to 2-3 scoreline, Owen Creevey also had the distinction of netting the club's first IFC goal. The winning team in that game was: D Barcoe; K Nestor, N Farrell, P Dolan, S Nally, P Mannion, L Doherty, N Nestor, O Creevey, J McGovern, M Crampton, J Kennedy, P Tyrell, D Barket, C Nolan Sub: D Canning. However, the Benny Keogh coached side failed to build on that good start and Ballinabrackey inflicted a two point defeat in the second round. Perhapst the 0-9 apiece draw with Cortown in the third round was a pointer to future developments - Cortown would win the title the following year and Blackhall two later, Simonstown were outright intermediate victors in 1995 and they defeated Blackhall by 4-9 to 1-11 on the way. Still the new club had cause for celebration in their first season. They won the Under 14 FC title with a victory over Simonstown as well as reaching the Divison 3 FL decider where they lost to Walterstown. Blackhall Gaels supporters did not have a lot to cheer about during the 1996 IFC. Gaeil Colmcille again provided the first round opposition and the Kells clubs second string recorded a surprise 1-13 to 0-9 victory. Defeats at the hands of Castletown, St Mary's and Cortown also followed and the only victory was at the expense of St Brigids. Also that year Blackhall were relegated back to Divison 3 of the All-County league. Maybe the amalgamation was not going to work, some must have felt. But 1997 was to prove much more encouraging for the wearers of the blue and yellow. One of those, Nigel Nestor became a regular donner of the green and gold of Meath and became the club's first senior inter county star. Things were definitely looking up for Blackhall. A 2-10 to 2-9 success over St Patrick's at Skryne in the first round of the '97 IFC must have given the side a good lift. They were in a difficut enough division with 1996 beaten finalists Duleek, St Colmcille's and Rathkenny the other contenders. Even though Rathkenny were tipped to get the better of them in the second round, Blackhall won by double scores (1-7 to 0-5). The emerging side lost to Duleek but advancing to the quarter final stage as group runners up was significant progress. Further progress was made when St Ultans were disposed of, 1-13 to 0-7 being the score at the end of the Skryne clash. Nigel Nestor and county junior Mark Crampton were prominent in that victory and the latter was also quite impressive against Dunshaughlin. With five of their forwards plus Nigel Nestor getting among the scorers in the first half, Blackhall led by some nine points after 21 minutes but the lead was reduced to two points (1-8 to 1-6) at the break. Crampton was proving a real playmaker at full forward and set up David Barker for his side's goal. But Dunshaughlin netted just on half time and 11 minutes into the second period on their way to a 2-13 to 1-12 victory. To add to Blackhall's woes, Paul Nestor was sent off. But there was compensation for the promising IFC run ending in nothing with the second string bringing a first adult title to the club. That was achieved in the BFL Division 2 with a final victory over Duleek. The promising run by the side in blue and yellow prompted sports reporters from both of the Meath newspapers to plump for Blackhall Gaels as likely outright IFC winners last April. We wondered about the wisdom of such a point when Castletown overcome the 'tipped team' with five points to spare in the opening round. But Blackhall 'knuckled down' to win the rest of their group games with a bit to spare. From the outset Division B looked to be between Castletown (beaten finalists in 1995), Blackhall and a re-emerging Ballivor side. Castletown got the perfect start with a 1-12 to 0-10 victory at Dunderry. That was a tight game for a long way before the north county outfit finished strongly with five unanswered points. The south county outfit started well enough to lead by 0-4 to 0-2 at the end of the first quarter and by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break but their opponents had the edge in the second period. Gordon Weldon netted a penalty and drove another wide while some good saves by David Barcoe saved Blackhall from a bigger beating. 'Blackhall Bounce Back' was a heading in one of the papers after the 2-14 to 1-4 second round success over St Ultan's at Kilmessan. The margin over the Bohermeen side was increased from the '97 quarter-final clash even though Ultan's shot ahead with an early goal. Paul Nestor sent over eight points and Mark Crampton and substitute Mark Ferris got the winners goals. Paul Nestor turned in a 'man of the match' type performance when Blackhall scored a 2-13 to 2-9 victory over Bective at Kilmessan in the third round. The promoted junior winners of 1997 put it up to their more fancied opponents and they lead by two points in the second half. But points from Stephen Nally, Mark Crampton and Paul Nestor got Blackhall back on the right path and the former Meath minor converted a penalty for their second goal. The Gaels had a wait of over two months before their next IFC outing. That was against Donaghmore/Ashbourne at Walterstown and the winning run was extended to three with a 1-12 to 1-4 victory. It was 1-8 to 0-1 at the break with Paul Nestor netting another penalty. On the last Sunday of August Blackhall and Ballivor clashed at Trim to decide who would accompany Castletown from the division through to the semi-final stage. Ballivor had earlier shown promise in a draw with Castletown but were no match for Tom Nolan's charges who showed their teeth with a decisive 3-9 to 0-9 success. All the goals came in the second half after the maroons led by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break. County minor Mark Ferris took the scoring honours with a fine haul of 2-6 while Paul Nestor again got among the goals with 1-1. Mark Crampton, who also impressed completed the winning total and Paul McNulty was another to show up well in this important success. It was comfortably achieved despite team captain Stephen Nally being sent off. Ballivor's bid to get a late consolation goal was foiled when Owen Creevey stopped a penalty. Blackhall Gaels still needed two points at the expense of Ballinabrackey to go through to the knock out stages for the second year in a row. That game was scheduled to take place at Summerhill on September 5th but the 'Bracks who had won just one of their five outings, gave a walk over. The other defeated semi-finalists of 1997, Drumconrath provided the semi-final opposition and it took two exciting encounters before the Kilcloon - Batterstown combination advanced. Both games took place at Walterstown and the first of them ended 0-13 to 1-10 for the Drums with Mark Ferris putting his name on 0-10. Blackhall led by 0-7 to 0-4 at the break and after their opponents went ahead in the closing stages, two Ferris frees ensured another day out for both sides. The replay was fixed for 12.30 on All-Ireland football final day and this time Drumconrath's bid was foiled on a 1-12 to 0-11 scoreline. Again Blackhall finished strongly after being in arrears with two great kicks from captain Nally giving them the edge before Nigel Nestor and Mark Ferris doubled their advantage. The 1996 junior winners led by 0-7 to 1-3 at the break and should have been a few more points to the good. But, of course, you need a bit of luck in order to gain championship success and this time Blackhall Gaels advanced to the final after their prospects looked less than bright. It was the opposite way round in '97. Final opponents St Patricks were hoping that it would be a case of 'third time lucky' for them, having lost the IFC deciders of 1991 and '92. But instead it was 'third time unlucky' as Blackhall Gaels recorded a famous 0-12 to 1-8 victory. After the disappointing SFC final of seven days earlier, this was a pulsating encounter and proved super value for money for the attendance of 3,000 as Stephen Nally led the four year old club to senior ranks. The success completed a marvellous treble for the south east of the county after Dunboyne and Drumree had captured the senior and junior titles, and the cup was brought to those two villages during the celebration tour. The trophy was earned in a match at the end of which Blackhall were again going the stronger at the finish. The scoreboard read 0-10 to 1-7 with 10 minutes to go before Ferris and Nally posted points which had the blue and yellow flags waving in anticipation of celebrations to come. Tom Nolan's charges served up a fine display on the big day. After trailing by 0-2 to 0-4 at the end of the opening quarter, they then sent over the next four points before being stunned by a Cormac Sullivan goal which left it 1-4 to 0-6 at the break. The Blackhall coach later suggested that the goal might well have been to the conceding sides' advantage as it made them aware of what was to be done in the second half. Within 11 minutes of the restart Blackhall were back in control with points from Mark Ferris and the Nestor brothers with Nigel sending a '45 soaring between the uprights and Paul kicking a spectacular score from play. Each time that Pat's threatened to get into a match winning position, Blackhall were able to respond with important scores and none more so than those late efforts from Ferris and Nally. The skills and experience of Nigel and Paul Nestor proved crucial on the march to glory. Paul has been in the shadow of his better known older brother after being such a promising minor and schools player. This year he bounced back strongly to contribute a fine total of 4-22 in seven games. Nigel proved an influential figure at midfield and the success was sweet compensation for missing out on a first Leinster senior medal after being one of the county teams top performers. There were other notable contributors to the success. Like full back Darragh Canning who played Cormac Sullivan well in the final, former Wexford countyman Mick Stafford at centre back, Paul McNulty who is also the club secretary at midfield and Mark Crampton, Stephen Nally and Mark Ferris in attack. Tom Nolan, who was goalkeeper for Batterstown's junior B success back in 1972, also played a big part in the triumph and proved that titles can be gained with 'home' coaches. Selectors Joe Sheridan and John McKeown, a former Carbury and Kildare player, were Nolan's assistants. Kilcloon parish actually goes into Kilcock. After receiving the Mattie McDonnell Cup Stephen Nally suggested that Blackhall Gaels would not just be making up the numbers in the 1998 IFC. The club has made wonderful progress in such a short space of time and will hardly be content to stop at the milestone reached on October 11th. BLACKHALL GAELS TOO STRONG FOR BALLIVOR in '97 UNDER 17 LEAGUE DECIDER Blackhall Gaels' ability to transform possession into scores proved to be the difference as they captured the 1997 Under 17 Div. 1 FL title at the expense of Ballivor. Played late last year Blackhall emerged victorious with two points to spare, 1-6 to 0-7. The losers were left to rue the consequences of squandered opportunities - a tally of fifteen wides in comparison to their opponents' three tells its own story. The more industrious Blackhall Gaels attack made hay while the sun shined (despite the inclement weather conditions!) and in the end thoroughly deserved their success. As the scoreline suggests it was a close encounter. The exchanges were evenly contested in the opening ten minutes until Blackhall Gaels captain Mark Ferris, leading by example, opened his side's account with a point after eleven minutes. With the Blackhall forwards getting the measure of the opposition's defence, corner forward John Callanan extended his side's advantage with a well taken goal. Two more points from Ferris, including a remarkable sideline effort, secured a 1-3 to 0-0 lead at the interval. Despite their inaccuracy in front of goal in the first half, Ballivor, playing with a fresh impetus made the more impressive start to the second half. Two points from Paul Feeney in the first five minutes ignited a revival. The eventual winners response was swift however, Callanan and Ferris reasserted their superiority with a point apiece, while Feeney and substitute Raymond McKeon kept Ballivor within striking distance, 1-5 to 0-4. Then, Ballivor were presented with a golden opportunity to narrow the deficit when Alan Kelly found himself with only the Blackhall goalkeeper Jason Reilly to beat. Reilly was more than up to the task and superbly saved, but Feeney kept the pressure on with a pointed free. Ferris restored his team's four point lead after Ronan Doyle was fouled, but scores from Feeney and Kelly ensured that we were in for a grand finale. As things transpired Ballivor had left their comeback a little too late and Blackhall held on to record a victory. Best for the winners were captain Ferris, Callanan and Martin Whelan. The victorious Blackhall Gaels side was as follows; J. Reilly; B. Bent, A. Dalton, G. Cassidy; T. Dalton, D. Doyle, S. Cassidy; M. Whelan, M. Ferris (0-5); E. Dalton, J. Moore, G. Beirne; D. Lucas, R. Doyle, J. Callanan (1-1). Subs: - D. Sheridan, J. Joyce. Tweet

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