By outscoring Simonstown Gaels by 0-6 to 0-1 in the final quarter, Blackhall Gaels opened their Commons Hardward SFC Group A campaign with a merited win at Kilberry on Sunday afternoon. Blackhall Gaels ...... 1-14 Simonstown ............. 1-9 Proceedings on a bumpy pitch on a fine spring afternoon appeared to be heading for a close conclusion before Blackhall posted six scores in a ten minute spell to put the tie beyond Simonstown's reach. Tadhg Brosnan led the charge for the eventual winners with 1-7 and his only score from play, an outstanding effort from out on the right wing left it 1-10 to 1-8 after 48 minutes. Corner-forward David Carty got on target twice in that scoring burst while Anthony Moyles completed their total with a fine effort from distance four minutes from time. Simonstown's skipper Paul Meade, who was the outstanding player in midfield, wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time. Despite dominance in the central area for long spells the north Navan side only led once, for a brief spell early in the second-half. After trailing by 1-4 to 1-6 at the break, Simonstown hit the ground running in the second-half and two points (one from either foot) from Shane O'Rourke, who made another for John Lunney saw Des Lane's charges hit the front for the only time. Pointed frees from Brosnan and Moyles had Blackhall back in front by the 40th minute. Though Wayne McCarthy levelled matters with his third pointed free of the hour the Batterstown-Kilcloon side took a grip on proceedings. Wing-forward Paddy O'Brien gave Blackhall an added presence around midfield and the supply to the Simonstown front line dried up. Blackhall lost Alan Nestor with an ankle injury early on - the former county minor is due to play for Meath in the All-Ireland Vocational Schools final against Tyrone at Clones on Sunday next. Simonstown were 0-1 to 0-3 in arrears when Shane O'Neill bundled the ball into the Blackhall net after 15 minutes, though Monaghan referee Sean Gilsenan appeared to have blown his whistle for an earlier infringement. Blackhall quickly regained the initiative and were considerably boosted when Brosnan expertly drilled a penalty to the net after a Simonstown defender appeared to handle the ball on the ground inside the small 'square'. A poor first-half burst to life in the run up to half-time and three points on the spin from McCarthy (two) and Mark McCabe cut the margin to the minimum before substitute Denis Beirne posted the final score of the half. Blackhall - M. Whelan; D. Dalton, N. O'Hora, D. O'Brien; A. Dalton, G. Beirne, D. O'Neill; N. Nestor, A. Moyles (0-3, 1 free); A. Nestor, M. Ferris (0-1), P. O'Brien; M. Crampton, T. Brosnan (1-7, 1-0 penalty, 0-6 frees), D. Carty (0-2). Subs - D. Beirne (0-1) for A. Nestor. Simonstown - G. Lynch; S. Leddy, H. Traynor, N. McMahon; S. Kenny, A. Meade, C. Kenny; P. Meade (0-1), S. O'Neill (1-0); R. Brady, W. McCarthy (0-4, 3 frees), M. McCabe (0-1); E. Kelly, S. O'Rourke (0-2), J. Lunney (0-1). Subs - E. Donoghue for C. Kenny, S. Moran for Lunney, B. Flood for Leddy. Referee - S. Gilsenan (Monaghan). Tweet

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