Competition SFC Date 19th Apr 2009 Venue Walterstown Time 14:00 Result Blackhall Gaels 1-12 St. Ultans 1-10 A perfect day for the start of the championship. St Ultans started their first senior championship game well. They scored four points before Blackhall could respond. Cian Rennicks had the beating of the Blackhall defense for three of these points and added a fourth after Mark Mullally put a free kick over for Blackhall. The Gaels second point came from the same boot, this time a 45 forced by Colm McElligot. 5 points to 2 to St Ultans. Robert Duffy then widened the gap to four. It was in the 20th minute that Blackhall took their first point from play, scored by Andy Brady. The point of the game then from the boot of Eugene Brady. He received the ball about 30 yards out and was put under pressure by Dan O'Neill, using the outside of his left boot he angled the ball over the bar clipping the post on its way. Blackhall closed off the half with a free kick converted by Paddy Brady. Half Time Score : Blackhall Gaels 0-4 St. Ultans 0-7 The newly promoted St Ultans came out in the second half and caught Blackhall on the hop scoring a goal in the first minute. Six points up but a full half to defend this lead. Ultans continued to hustle Blackhall and didn't let them away with anything. The hustling did have its down side though. They conceded four frees within scoring distance in the first ten minutes. All four where converted by Blackhall, two from Tadgh Brosnan, one from Mark Mullally and one from Andy Brady. Ultans converted one free kick in the same period. Blackhall down by a goal but back in the game, 0-8 to 1-8. The Gaels couldn't get closer for the next ten minutes though. Cian Rennick converted from play, answered by a Mark Mullally point from a 45. The final ten minutes increased in intensity. Ultans stretching their lead to four but Blackhall pulled back to three with a well taken point by Tadhg Brosnan. Five minutes left and the pressure on. Blackhall pushed hard and forced a foul, converted by Paddy Brady. Blackhalls then scored their best point of the game, Tadhg Brosnan, passing to Paddy Brady who found John Callanan in space, John dropped it into Mark Ferris who converted. A one point game. The Gaels applied more pressure. Ultans had a sideline ball in their own with two minutes left. Blackhall marked up well and an error was forced. Andy Brady intercepted the ball and found himself with only the keeper to beat. He took the opportunity and hit the back of the net. Blackhall up for the first time in the game. A minute later the final whistle called the game to a halt. Full time score : Blackhall Gaels 1-12 St. Ultans 1-10 Blackhall will feel lucky with the result. St Ultans where probably the better team for most of the match. But the Gaels applied the pressure in the final minutes and took the opportunity when it was presented to them. You would have to say that this pressure stemmed from the back. Declan Dalton and Jonathon Meyler pushed forward, turning defense into attack and triggering off the revival. St. Ultans proved they have what it takes to compete in the senior ranks and no doubt will have the luck with on another day. Blackhall Gaels Team: 1.M Whelan 2.D O'Neill 3.G Beirne 4.D Dalton 5.N O'Hora 6.J Moyler 7.D Tobin 8.C McElligot 9.M. Mullally 10.Denis Beirne 11.Paddy Brady(0-3) 12.A Nestor 13.T. Brosnan 14.M Ferris(1-0) 15.A. Brady(0-2) Subs 18. J. Callanan for D. Beirne, 17. P. O'Brien fC. McElligot. 16. T. Dalton, 19.J. Joyce, 20.L.Rattigan, 21.A. Ferris, 22.J.Kelly, 23.M. Crampton, 24.D. O'Brien, 25.S.Whelan, 26.C. Burke, 27.L. Brosnan. St Ultans Team 1.A.Ball 2.J.Bennett 3.D.Galligan 4.C.Lynch 5.G.Rennicks 6.A.Martin 7.B.Galligan 8 C.Galligan 9.A.Murray 10.G.O'Gorman 11.R.Duffy 12 K.Rogers 13.E.Brady 14.C.Rennicks 15.C.Rogers Tweet

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