Reilly saves the day for Colmcille’s

GRAHAM REILLY saved St Colmcille’s from a third successive defeat with a terrific equalising point in the fifth and final minute of added time in this exciting SFC encounter at Ratoath on Sunday.

Blackhall led by five points at one stage in the third quarter but found themselves in arrears following a Ben Brennan point a minute from the end of normal time. That score looked like a winner but instead the game took a number of twists after that before referee Sean Gahan eventually blew the final whistle.

The clock was ticking towards the 60th minute when Blackhall’s Alan Nestor was fouled in front of the Cille’s posts.

It was well within Nestor’s range but instead the former county player decider on a quick free to Donnacha Tobin who shot wide of the target.

There was still time though for Nestor to make amends and he eventually equalised from another free two minutes into added time. That wasn’t the end of the drama however and Nestor them pointed his side ahead after Robbie

Colmcille’s Blackhall G 1-15 1-15

McGuinness was fouled and the ball was brought closer for dissent.

Then in virtually the last action Reilly took responsibility and fired over a great equaliser to give the Cille’s a deserved share of the spoils.

Joe Sweeney was an absentee for the Cille’s who were back close to full strength but the seasiders struggled to produce anything close to their best form and looked a tired outfit.

They found it hard to cope with Johnny Meyler and Sean Whelan in the Blackhall attack and were also second best at midfield for long spells. Graham Reilly showed his class with five points from play but Ben Brennan, despite accounting for four points was quieter than usual.

Ciaran Kelly also kept the scoreboard ticking over from frees but James Conlon had little joy throughout the hour.

It was level pegging at 0-5 each after 22 minutes and with Meyler scoring three successive points Blackhall led 0-8 to 0-6 at the break.

That lead increased after Sean Whelan netted two minutes into the second half and when Nestor pointed on 34 minutes it left it 1-9 to 0-7.

Cille’s responded with a goal from Conor O’Byrne and they were back on level terms following Graham Reilly’s 40th minute point.

There was never more than a point between the sides after that in what proved a tense and exciting finale.

ST COLMCILLE’S: Jordan Brown; Adam Lynch, Jamie McDonnell, Tomás O Hoistin; Eoin Woods 0-1, Ian Mullen, Cathal Hilliard; Conor O’Byrne 1-1, Robbie McCloskey 0-1; David Byrne, Ben Brennan 0-4 (2f), Jack Reynolds; Ciaran Kelly 0-3f, James Conlon, Graham Reilly 0-5. Subs: Karl Mullen for Woods (37), Jeff Kavanagh for Hilliard (51).

BLACKHALL: Tommy Dalton; Hugh Smith, Colm McElligott, Tommy Murphy; John Kelly, Tom Delaney, Dan Carty; Donnacha Tobin 0-1, Robbie McGuinness 0-1; Paul Kelly 0-1f, Paddy O’Brien, Alan Nestor 0-7 (6f); Niall Kelly, Johnny Meyler 0-3, Sean Whelan 1-2.