Blackhall Gaels dug out a famous win over local rivals Dunboyne in this exciting Ted Murtagh SHC round three clash at Kilmessan on Friday night.

Blackhall Gaels .............. 1-14
Dunboyne ....................... 2-9

The achievement was made all the more impressive for the manner in which Kevin Maye's men resisted Dunboyne's final quarter rally.

Having gained the lead (1-12 to 2-7) through Stephen Morris' 45th goal, Blackhall Gaels remained in front to the end.

Much of the credit goes to the Blackhall rearguard that yielded just two more points over the rest of the hour.

At corner-back Peter Coyne exemplified the Blackhall spirit in those final moments. Listed at full-forward, John Kelly dug out the defence on more than one occasion.

Apart from contributing the crucial goal, Ring Cup winner Stephen Morris was particularly prominent in the third quarter when the 'Gaels turned a four-point (0-8 to 2-6) interval deficit into the lead they took to the end.

The outcome leaves Blackhall Gaels on the cusp of a place in the knockout stages following three wins from as many outings. Such an achievement is still within Dunboyne's grasp even though they have lost twice.

Blackhall might have won by a wider margin but for posting seven second-half wides (to Dunboyne's three). What was impressive was the manner in which they responded to these setbacks.

Shane Whitty top scored for Blackhall Gaels with nine points and complimented his scores with good graft, something his team mates weren't averse to.

The conditions were conducive to hurling - overcast and dry.

Two Niall Smyth goals were the headline scores in the opening half.  The first arrived, at the clubhouse end, in the fifth minute when the corner-forward latched onto a breaking ball before breaking forward to finish to the net with aplomb. That left the board reading 1-1 to 0-1. The Dunboyne corner-forward was sent off just before the end.

Dunboyne looked set to bounce back from their loss to champions Kiltale in the previous round when moving four points clear by the seventh minute.

Shane Whitty's 13th minute point from play was one of the highlights of Blackhall's response. Daniel Carty's was another.

Blackhall Gaels trimmed the deficit to the minimum by the mid-point of the half when John Kelly sent over. Hackett and Whitty exchange frees before Smyth got in for his second goal in the 21st minute.

That left it 2-4 to 0-6 after Smyth reacted quickest after a Hackett free rebounded off an upright. Two points on the bounce from Ciaran McKay left two goals between the teams after 28th minutes.

An excellent Johnny Meyler point followed by a Whitty white flag from play left Blackhall just four off the pace at the break.

Blackhall Gaels - Paul Kelly; David McGowan, Tom Delany, Peter Coyne; Paddy Smith, Johnny Meyler (0-1), Conor Delany,Tom Murphy, Stephen Morris (1-0); Hugh Smith, Shane Whitty (0-9, 5fs, 1 65), Graham Dillon (0-3); Dan Carty, John Kelly (0-1), Colm Whitty. Subs - Kevin Coyle for Carty (11), Kieran Devanney for C Delany (56), Thomas Coyle for C Whitty (60)

Dunboyne - Michael Dunne; Mark O'Connor, Niall Watters, Sean Moran; Fergal O'Neill, Ger Murphy, Conor O'Shea; Alan Watters, Michael O'Grady, Alan Watters; Neil Hackett (0-5, 4 fs 1 65), Darren Dunne, Ciaran McKay (0-2); Stephen Moran (0-1), Paul Fagan, Niall Smyth (2-1). Subs - Sean McGrath for Fagan (36), Conor Gilmartin for McKay (41).

Referee - Stephen Masterson (Kildalkey)

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