Blackhall Gaels 3-7 Castletown 1-16

Blackhall Gaels made a disappointing start to their 2023 Championship campaign suffering a three point defeat to the hands of Castletown in Bective on Saturday evening.

With half an hour gone in this contest there was nothing between the teams as they were level 1-7 to 0-10 after an entertaining opening half. Showers and a cross wind made the conditions tricky but the Bective surface was in great condition for this opening round clash.

The team in green made the better start racing into a 2 point lead but on 7 minutes Paul Kelly got on the end of a nice, patient move from Blackhall and blasted to the roof of the net from close range to open the scoring for the Gaels. Castletown restored their lead moments later and would push themselves into a commanding 4 point lead, 0-7 to 1-0. It was on the 20 minute mark that Blackhall kicked their first point. Shane Whitty converted with the other side of the boot. Stephen Morris, Paul Kelly and Whitty again added to the tally in what was Blackhall's best period. The sides traded sides again as both teams looked for the lead going into the dressing rooms. Castletown had enjoyed more of the ball and kicked 9 of their 10 points from play but Two late points in injury time from Luke Jennings brought the sides level at the half time whistle. 1-7 to 0-10

Castletown came out in the second half with major intent and enjoyed a purple patch in the third quarter. They netted the second goal of the game in the 32nd minute and now lead by 4 early in the second half. It got worse for Blackhall Gaels as they were reduced to 14 men at the 45 minute mark. With 55 minutes gone and now trailing by 7 points, Blackhall were awarded a penalty which Paul Kelly duly dispatched. Castletown kicked a further two points before the end to keep them at arms length 1-16 to 2-7 ahead as normal time elapsed. Luke Jennings palmed home a late goal for the Gaels but it was too little too late for the Kilcloon/Batterstown men. 

Blackhall Gaels: T.Dalton, T.Murphy, A.McHugh, H.Smith, Dan Carty, D,Healy, M.Kennedy, S.Whitty(0-2), C.Staunton, L.Jennings(1-2 1F), C.Ward, S.Morris(0-1), J.Kelly, P.Kelly(2-1), Dermot Carty (0-1F) 

Subs: M.Mullally for Staunton, K.Forde for J.Kelly, C.Duffy for Dermot Carty, C.Delany for Ward.

 

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