Blackhall 1-3 Moynalvey 2-12

Blackhall have had a crazy week in ladies football. After a very poor performance last Monday in Dunshaughlin the girls were left dejected, knowing their next opponents would have little mercy for them. With a mix up surrounding fixtures the girls were left confused but rearing to go on Friday when they faced Moynalvey in Batterstown. A win would allow them another chance to escape the relegation match.

Without captain Paula Dunne the girls were well aware of the battle they were facing, but with the return of Sue McCormack and Sarah
O'Keane meant the Gaels women were growing in numbers, and confidence. As the girls took to the field, their team talk still ringing in their ears, they were empowered, ready to show what this team could do. Fran Nolan opened the scoring with some excellent pressure from the Blackhall forwards. The Murphy sisters were holding their own at mid-field which meant ball was being fed into the forwards
continuously. While a good start is half the battle, disaster struck the Gaels soon after. A goal and a point down Helen Murphy had to be
replaced due to an injury. Things seemed to go from bad to worse fromthen on for Blackhall. Moynalvey scored another 1-4 without reply
before the half.

The backs defended well but the tidal wave of Moynalvey women was inescapable. A slight glimmer of hope for Blackhall when Moynalvey were reduced to 14 after a yellow card, just before the half. The score at the break was 2-6 to a single point.
Sarah O'Keane came in to goals at the restart, meaning Blackhall's kick-out were going to be wide and long from here on. O'Keane had less to do than Kelly however, as the backs tightened up and the forward play improved. Leona Nestor showed true leadership alongside Ann Murphy as they worked tirelessly up the field, as well as maintaining defenses.

As the game escalated, Blackhall could feel it. Fran Nolan showed what she was made off with a quality goal effort putting the bite back into the game early on. Moynalvey rallied and the game became defensive and exciting. Subs for Blackhall were brought in and made a serious impression. Aisling Keane scored Blackhall last score while Aisling Maye and Aideen Nolan showed real strength hassling the Moynalvey defenders.

Unfortunately 2-5 lead Moynalvey went in with at half-time was too great a distance for Blackhall to over come. Blackhall now face a
relegation match, quiet possibly against Moynalvey again. Although it was a defeat Blackhall proved themselves worthy of their intermediate status last Friday and whoever has to face them in the playoff will be facing a much stronger, more determined side.

Blackhall Gaels: Sabrina Kelly, Claire Burke, Michelle Dalton, Claire Stenson, Gráinne Ryan, Emer Keane,Leona Nestor,  Ann Murphy, Helen Murphy, Suzanne McCormack, Caroline Griffen, Suzanne Kelly, Aileen Coyle, Cathrine Quinn, Fran Nolan (1-2)
Subs: Sinead O'Sullivan, Sarah O'Keane, Aisling Keane (0-1), Aisling Maye, Aideen Nolan

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