Blackhill Emeralds G.F.C. club notes

Senior Result

JFL Semi-Final Blackhill 1-03 Seán MacDiarmada 0-07 Saturday October 19^th

Team: Michael Shevlin, Ciarán Costello, Donal Courtney, Dean McDermott, Ryan Courtney, Shane Courtney (C), Anthony Courtney, Eamon Byrne, Dermot Daly, Paul Finnegan, Hugh Byrne, Kieran Courtney, Michael Geehan, Philip Donnelly & Colin Woods. Subs used: Stephen Courtney for Dermot Daly 20Mins (injured) & Niall Donnelly for Hugh Byrne 50Mins.

A season to remember ended in Blackhill on Saturday afternoon in disappointing fashion after we out played our visitors in most facets of the game accept the one that matters, on the scoreboard! The field in Blackhill was barely playable after the deluge of rain in the area over the weekend and this exacerbated the poor spirit in which the game was played particularly in the first half, referee Gerard Treanor and his linesmen showed leniency in only dismissing three players during this period when six red cards were merited. Football rarely interfered with the battle, but Blackhills goal was one of few exceptions to this, a sweeping move down the field, Geehan to Donnelly to Byrne to the net! The team put in a great committed performance just a week after the disappointment of the championship final replay, but seven first half wides and further wastefulness in front of the posts at crucial times in the second half allowed the Seáns who had survived on scraps for long spells back into the game were fair play to them they kicked the two winning scores at the death for a great win for the thirteen men. The loss of both our main free takers in the first half, Dermot Daly and Colin Woods proved very costly in a game of such tight margins but we simply failed to take our chances on the day. Manager Thomas Duffy confirmed his impending departure to the players and chairperson after the game and he leaves the club with our very best wishes. Thomas has put an effort and commitment into his two years in Blackhill that few could equal. His assistant Tony Comiskey also departs the club after a long association with our best wishes. Everybody involved have certainly earned their break.

Charity Fundraiser

Gerry’s Ballybay annual charity dance featuring Declan Nearney will take place in the Pearse Brothers GAA centre in Ballybay on Saturday November 2^nd at 10-30PM. Tickets €15 are available from the committee for this very worthy cause. Supper served.