O'Mahonys secure status as Blackhall drop down

Navan O’Mahonys .................................2-15

Blackhall Gaels .........................................1-9

Navan O’Mahonys may have missed out on a spot in the semi-finals of the SHC B but they can take solace from the fact that they secured their status in the championship with a victory over winless Blackhall Gaels on Sunday in Kiltale.

Michael Verney’s Blackhall Gaels needed a result against the Brews Hill side to force a relegation play-off but the loss means that they will compete in the IHC next year.

Straight from the throw-in Eoghan McDermott got Navan O’Mahonys off to an ideal start with a goal. After that the sides traded scores as Jack Walsh and Paddy Dillon kept the scoreboard ticking for Navan O’Mahonys.

In the second quarter, the eventual winners established a nice lead with points from Jack Flynn, Tom Condon and Lorcan McDermott and at the break Navan O’Mahonys led 1-8 to 0-5.

Blackhall Gaels started well after the restart and notched two points in quick succession before momentum swung back in favour of Navan O’Mahonys when McDermott raised his second green flag.

Further frees from Walsh as well as a nice point from Condon ensured that Navan O’Mahonys pulled clear of the opposition and a solid defensive performance led by Cormac Keyes, Mark Usher and Ben McEntagart, held firm and closed the contest out well.

Navan O’Mahonys: John Foley; Finn McNally, Ben McEntagart, Mark Usher; Colm O’Toole, Cormac Keyes, Eoghan Nugent; Paddy Dillon (0-2), Seb Snow; Killian Murphy, Lorcan McDermott (0-1), Jack Flynn (0-1); Eoghan McDermott (2-1), Jack Walsh (0-8), Tom Condon (0-2). Subs: Finn Malone for Murphy, Michael Reavey for Condon.