Dunboyne 2-11 Blackhall Gaels 0-7 An improved second-half showing saw Dunboyne run out easy winners over Blackhall Gaels to take the direct route into the quarter-finals at their neighbours' expense. Blackhall Gaels now have to face the third-placed team in Group C for the last quarter-final spot in the race for the Commons Hardware Keegan Cup. The outcome was decided by two goals in quick succession at the start of the final quarter. First Ger Robinson finished to the Blackhall net after collecting a long delivery from full-back Tommy O'Connor. Just over a minute later Craig Berrigan finished to the net at the second attempt after his initial attempt was parried by Blackhall 'keeper Tommy Dalton and it was 2-8 to 0-7 with 48 minutes gone. By that stage the Batterstown/Kilcloon side were down to 14-men following the red-carding of Tadhg Brosnan in the 40th minute following an off-the-ball incident for which Dunboyne corner-back Stephen McKenna picked up a yellow card. Had Dunboyne lost then they would have exited the championship as St Ultan's (who beat Walterstown by ten points) would have pipped them for third place in the group on scoring difference. The sides drew in an earlier group meeting. Dunboyne's elmination was on the cards when they played second fiddle to Blackhall Gaels throughout the opening half. Blackhall Gaels led by four points on three different occasions in the opening 25 minutes. They might have gone further ahead but chalked up four wides to Dunboyne's one during that time. Andy Brady had a goal chance early on but fired his effort straight at Dunboyne 'keeper Johnny O'Connor. Blackhall posted four points in the opening 12 minutes with three (from Andy Brady, Denis Beirne and Paddy Brady coming from play). At the other end goalkeeper Tommy Dalton did well prevent David Clarke and Sean McGarrell from netting at the expense of 45s. The second such award was converted by Stephen Moran for Dunboyne's opening score in the 17th minute. Four points in arrears coming up to the interval, Dunboyne finished the half with a flourish with Ger Robinson (free), McGarrell and wing-back Colm Brennan pointing to leave them trailing by 0-5 to 0-6 at the break. Blackhall passed up a couple of scoring chances on the restart before Moran levelled matters for the first time from a free. A fine effort from Gary Watters saw Dunboyne hit the front for the first time in the 39th minute. Then came Brosnan's dismissal. Though Paddy Brady restored parity from a free shortly after it proved to be Blackhall's sole second-half score Dunboyne - J. O'Connor; S. Hogan, T. O'Connor, S. McKenna; C. Brennan (0-2), D. Gallagher, G. Watters (0-1); N. Crawford, C. Berrigan (1-0); D. Clarke (0-1), G. Gallagher, S. McGarrell (0-1); G. Robinson (1-2, 0-2 fs), C. O'Donoghue, S. Moran (0-2, 1 f, 1 45). Subs - P. Fagan (0-1) for G. Gallagher (55), M.O'Grady (0-1) for McGarrell (58), M. Convey for O'Donoghue, P. Watters for Moran, G. Timoney for D. Gallagher (all 60). Blackhall Gaels - T. Dalton; D. O'Neill, N. O'Hora, D. O'Brien; L. Rattigan D. Dalton, J. Kelly; P. O'Brien, M. Mullally; P. Brady (0-5, 3 fs), S. Whelan, D. Beirne (0-1); T. Brosnan, A. Nestor, A. Brady (0-1). Subs - C. McElligott for O'Brien, S. Nally for Beirne (both 58). Referee - J. Synnott (Donaghmore/Ashbourne). Tweet

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