Blackhall gaels leave it late
After a four month wait since their last competitive outing Blackhall Gaels left it late to claim the A FL Div 2 title with a narrow 0-12 to 0-11 win over Ballinlough at Pairc Tailteann today.
After a tempestous opening period which saw Ballinlough reduced to 13 men when Benji Smith and Lorcan Maguire were sent-off and Blackhall Gaels lost captain Tadhg Brosnan to a red card following a melee, Ballinlough led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break.
However the second-half was a pulsating encounter with Ballinlough maintaining their advantage throughout until Sean Whelan turned on the style with two late scores to seal the title.
Defeat was Ballinlough’s fourth in their five finals in 2014, while Blackhall’s win featured a return for Alan Nestor who made a first appearance since the summer when he was diagnosed with cancer.
See video below of the brawl that happened as the teams were leaving the field for their half-time break.