U16FL: Extra time joy for Blackhall
May 23, 2012
Blackhall Gaels Vincent O'Brien after scoring his teams crucial goal just before the end of normal time. Oldcastle's Robert Weir and Mathew Taggart cant hide their disappointment at Pairc Tailteann. TO VIEW A SELECTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THIS GAME CLICK HERE
Oldcastle 3-14
Blackhall Gaels overcame the stern challenge of Oldcastle in extra time to win the Meath Under 16 Division 5 football league at Pairc Tailteann.
Ronan Maguire, who was outstanding for Oldcastle, got the games opening score. Blackhall hit a purple patch after five minutes and reeled off five unanswered points from Patrick Kelly, Vincent O'Brien, John O'Brien, James Kelly and Conal Cunning. Kelly should have made it 1-5 to 0-1 but his shot came crashing back of the crossbar. This was Oldcastle's wake up call and points from Maguire (2), Philip Reilly, Mathew Taggart, and Shane Quinn closed the gap to 0-9 to 0-6 at half time.
John McEnroe's charges made all the running in the early stages of the second half. A point from midfielder Davidas Slomskis and a well taken goal by Conor Delaney pushed Oldcastle in front after ten minutes. A brace of points from James Kelly and one each from Patrick Kelly and Sean Walsh had Blackhall 0-13 to 1-8 to the good after 20 minutes.
The last five minutes of normal time proved very exciting. A goal from Maguire seemed have given the North Meath boys the title, leading 2-9 to 0-13 with time almost up. But then Blackhall's Vincent O'Brien got on the end of a fine move to finish to the net and put his side a point up. From the kick out Oldcastle won possession, the ball ended up with Conor Delaney who pointed to send the game to extra time.
Blackhall won this game in the opening period of extra time. Substitute Rian kealy pointed twice, the brilliant James Kelly (2) and O'Brien (1) put the Kilcloon Batterstown side 1-18 to 1-11 up before a goal and a point from Patrick Kelly put some real daylight between the teams. Kelly's goal was well worth the admitance fee and Blackhall led at the end of the first period 2-19 to 2-12.
Oldcastle threw everything at Blackhall in the second half of extra time. They held their opponents scoreless in the final ten minutes. Ronan Maguire added 1-2 to his tally, the goal coming from a penalty, but time ran out for them and Blackhall went on to win this very entertaining encounter that finished under floodlights.
After the game Michael Mullally, a proud Blackhall clubman presented the Division 6 shield to Gaels captain Hugh Smith.
Blackhall Gaels: Eoin Kiernan, Dessie Fitzgerald, Fergus Ryan, Hugh Smith, Conal Cunning (0-1), Darren McHugh, James Kelly (0-6), Vincent O'Brien (1-2), Liam Farrell (0-2), Sean Walsh (0-1), Patrick Kelly (1-4), John O;'Brien (0-1), Padraig Keane.
Subs: Jack Foley, Charlie Staunton, Rian Kealy (0-2), Sean Healy
Oldcastle: Robert Weir, Emmet Lynch, Desmond Patrick Martin, Jason Stanley, Mathew Taggart (0-1), Keith Cunningham, Devidas Slomskis (0-1), Adam Halpin, Conor Delaney (1-2), Ronan Maguire (2-7), Sean McEnroe, Philip Reilly (0-1), Shane Quinn (0-1).
Subs: Christopher Smith, Ignes Romonas (0-1).
Referee Martin Griffin. Tweet
