Wolfe Tones 2-14 Blackhall Gaels 2-10

Wolfe Tones picked up 2 badly needed league points in an entertaining game played in ideal conditions in Kilberry. The game was very closely  contested in the first half and with both defences doing well good approach was snuffed out for the most part and the teams were level on 5 points each  after 30 first half minutes  all but 1 of the Tones scores coming from the boot of Cian Ward while Daniel O Neill added the point. However Blackhall Gaels were boosted by a goal in injury time as a cross field Tones pass was intercepted and Blackhall hit quickly on the break to nose in front on the half time whistle.

Half time score Blackhall Gaels 1-05 Wolfe Tones 0-05

Wolfe Tones made a lightening start to the 2nd half and immediately from the throw in a long delivery from Stephen Corrigan was met by full forward Alan Callaghan who flicked the ball to the onrushing Cian Ward who finished to the net. Tones went on to dominate the rest of the quarter and points from Thomas O'Reilly (4) Alan Fox and Cian Ward to a solitary reply from the visitors meant Tones were in a commanding 1-11 to 1-06 by the 43rd minute. Blackhall rallied and added 3 without reply  and just when things were getting edgy for the Tones veteran Alan Fox steadied the ship with a fine point which was followed by a Niall Mc Loughlin left footed effort to push the Tones lead out to 4 with just 3 minutes of normal time left. Thomas O'Reilly sealed the result for the Tones when he gathered a long cross field pass from Cian Ward to finish to the net with aplomb. Thomas added a point almost immediately. Blackhall however weren't finished and added a consolation goal in the 5th minute of injury time.

Stephen Corrigan Stephen Sheppard and Niall Mc Loughlin were stand out performers for the Tones while up front Thomas O'Reilly Cian Ward and Alan Fox were a handful for the Blackhall defence.

Wolfe Tones: David Nolan, David Coleman, Stephen Sheppard, Daniel O Neill (0-01), Niall Mc Loughlin ( 0-01), Éanna Harrington, Brughach O Fionnagain, Stephen Corrigan, Niall O Reilly (0-01), Alan Fox (0-02), Thomas O Reilly (1-04), Paul Byrne, Chris Blaney, Ciaran Mc Loughlin, Cian Ward (1-05, 1F, 1'45)
Subs; Alan Callaghan for Ciarán Mc Loughlin (20), Conor Sheppard for Chris Blaney (27, Black card), Padraig Diamond for Alan Fox (28), Paddy Caffrey for Cian Ward (28)

Blackhall Gaels Report

Blackhall Gaels 2-10 Wolfe Tones 2-14

Last night saw Wolfe Tones welcome Blackhall to their home pitch in Kilberry for the 11th round of this years League. Blackhall were coming off an impressive win over O'Mahony's from the week before and were hoping for another stellar performance. With both teams in trouble at the bottom end of the table this game was crucial.

The match started and Blackhall looked ready to battle for the full 60 minutes. Darren Byrne opened the scoring and Tadhg Brosnan slotted over a free in the opening minutes. Around the pitch there were signs of how much this game meant to both side with an element of physicality that kept supporters on the edge of their seats. An early injury for Blackhall saw Conor Stenson come off and Niall Kelly brought in to do damage around the pitch. With loads of pressure from the home side Blackhall had their work cut out for them. However, patient, clever play by the likes of James and John Kelly kept the Tones at bay. Then, right on the halftime whistle a long ball played into Paul Kelly resulted in a goal! This put Blackhall 3 points ahead
at the break, with it all to play for.

Halftime score 1-5 to 0-5.

From the throw in in the second half a brilliant goal set the new pace, unfortunately it was the Tones who were setting this pace. three unanswered points put them ahead of the Gaels. Byrne slotted over Blackhall's first of the half but then Tones got three more. It wasn't until a quick free and lovely Paul Kelly point Blackhall got going again. John Kelly slotted over two lovely points to keep the Gaels in touch but a late goal by the home side sealed the deal. Even the last gasp goal by Paul Kelly wasn't enough to claw back the tempo of the first half for Blackhall.

The final score was Wolfe Tones 2-14 Blackhall Gaels 2-10.

Although this puts Blackhall in a precarious position coming into the last few rounds of the league there is still hope for them. Their encounter with St. Patricks will be do or die for the Gaels men and they will surely step up to that mark. The match yielded some positives, Paul Kelly's 2-1 beine a massive part of it. Darren Byrne has slotted into life beside Tadhg Brosnan wonderfully and James Kellyas setting himself incredible standards. Donnacha Tobin was in near total control of midfield, beating three men in the air for the majority of kick outs. The discipline on the field was brilliant to see, with no cards for Blackhall and less frees throughout the game. However, it is clear that the dual players, especially those who play Junior, are beginning to feel the heat. For many Wednesday was the fourth game in a week, which obviously takes a toll on any body. These lads do get some sort of a rest now though, with a break before the St. Patricks game on the 29th. Hopefully this rejuvenates the team and allows them to put in a great performance next week.

Blackhall Gaels: Tommy Dalton, Conor Stenson, Colm McElligott, James Kelly, Hugh Smith, Tom Murphy, Kevin O'Keane, Donnacha Tobin (0-2), Patrick O'Brien, Paul Kelly (2-1), John Kelly (0-2), Graham Dillon, John Kelly, Tadhg Brosnan (0-1), Darren Byrne (0-3). Subs: Niall Kelly, Tommy Coyle(0-1)

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