Walterstown ........... 1-9
Blackhall Gaels ...... 0-6

Walterstown got their Meath Farm Machinery SFC Group A campaign back on track with a double scores win over Blackhall Gaels on Friday night.

Walterstown defeated Dunshaughlin in their first outing but lost to Rathkenny second time out. Blackhall Gaels came into the game on the back of a big win over St Ultan's, having drawn with Rathkenny first time out.

Taking advantage of the elements, Walterstown put down a significant deposit in the opening 21 minutes when they outscored the Batterstown/Kilcloon side by 1-6 to 0-0.

Thereafter Mick O'Brien charges were never seriously troubled even when they were reduced to 14-men after 46 minutes with the dismissal of Charles McCarthy.

The former county player - who with Joey Farrelly ensured the Blacks had a firm foothold at midfield - picked up his second yellow card of the hour for a foul on John Kelly with the board reading 1-8 to 0-3.

Blackhall outscored the Blacks by 0-3 to 0-1 in the final quarter and might have got closer had Tadhg Brosnan's goal attempt not been diverted for a '45' by Walterstown's John Geoghegan.

An Alban Crosbie from about 60 metres in the third minute at the town end set Walterstown on their way. The Blacks number 11 then placed Cathal Hennelly for the next score.

McCarthy then completed some good approach play for Walterstown's second score from play. When Crosbie landed his third pointed free it was 0-5 to 0-0 ten minutes in.

The scoring rate dropped over the next ten minutes. When Mark McCormack was fouled by Blackhall's Mark Mullally, Walterstown were awarded a spot kick which Crosbie duly dispatched to the net in the 21st minute.

Another five minutes passed before Mark Ferris opened Blackhall's account from a free and the game was in first-half stoppage time before Dan O'Neill became their only starting forward to register from play and it was 1-6 to 0-2 at the break.

Walterstown went eight points clear on two occasions before McCarthy's dismissal. Even with wind and numerical advantage, Blackhall - en route to their first defeat in the campaign - could only manage one second-half score from play, courtesy of Mark Mullally.

Walterstown - Ronan Barry; J. Geoghegan, D. Maguire, S. O'Keeffe; R. Reynolds, H. Gribben, P. Reynolds; C. McCarthy (0-1), J. Farrelly; M. McCormack, A. Crosbie (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-3 fs), C. O'Sullivan (0-1); C. Hennelly (0-1), T. Walsh (0-1, f), C. Reynolds (0-1). Subs - P. Murray for Gribben (ht), D. Kennedy for Maguire (45), Richie Barry for C. Reynolds (60).

Blackhall Gaels - T. Dalton; A. Dalton, C. McElligott, D. O'Brien; D. Dalton, M. Mullally (0-1), J. Kelly; P. O'Brien, M. Ferris (0-1, f); S. Whelan (0-3, fs), D. O'Neill (0-1), D. Beirne; P. Brady, T. Brosnan, M. Crampton. Sub - G. Beirne for D. Dalton (44 ).

Referee - G. McGivney (Simonstown). Tweet

Most Read Stories