seniors into championship final

Senior football championship v St Judes, Parnell Park, 12 September 2020

Ballyboden St Endas 2 – 11

St Judes 1 – 11

This latest Dodder Derby was a tough battle of wills with great scores, brilliant defence and at the end of the day the difference was the ability of Boden to score goals at the right time. Boden started without the injured Colm Basquel and lost Michael Darragh Macauley who failed a fitness test during the warm-up. He was replaced from the start of the game by Aran Waters. Aran then had to be replaced midway through the first half with another injury and was replaced by James Holland. Despite these set-backs, the team started well and in the first minute Alan Flood popped over a point which Judes cancelled out almost immediately. On five minutes Ross McGarry pointed followed by another good point from centre back Robbie McDaid. Judes got one back but then a brilliant move involving a number of players was finished to the net following a great left footed pass by Warren Egan to place Robbie with just the goalie to beat. Robbie duly obliged. Ryan Basquel followed up with a fisted point to put Boden five points ahead. Judes got one back before Ross McGarry, who, in the absence of Colm Basquel, was on free-taking duty, converted a free. Judes then got three points on the trot but in the last 8 minutes Ryan Basquel and Ross McGarry converted two frees to leave the half time score 1 – 7 to 0 – 6 in favour of Boden.

Boden’s mid-field woes continued as, just before half time, Declan O’Mahony was given a black card. He served 3 minutes in the sin bin in the first half, so Boden started the second half with 14 players. Judes took advantage and scored two points in the first 6 minutes. Ryan Basquel got one back after Declan rejoined the play and then, following a great dispossession by Conal Keaney, Ross McGarry popped over a point. Judes cancelled out one of these and, but for a great save by Darragh Gogan, they could have added a goal. But Boden took their goal chance a few minutes later. Brian Bobbett carried the ball into the Judes territory, and, as he sought a colleague to pass the ball to, he spotted a gap towards the goal and gave a perfect pass to Simon Lambert who finished to the net. Ross McGarry added a point almost immediately. However, Judes were not finished and a few minutes later Darragh Gogan was given no chance when Judes scored from close range. They added a point to put a dangerous two points between the sides. Tom Hayes gave Boden a bit of breathing space when he knocked over a point. As the players and management were counting down to the final whistle, Darragh Gogan made a good clearance, and following a tackle on him by Kevin McManamon, Darragh was given red card. Jake Turley was called in to replace him, and, on making his senior championship debut, he was called on immediately to deal with a high ball delivered into the square in search of a goal. He dealt with it admirably and a couple of minutes later the final whistle sounded, much to the relief of the Boden players and management. Great credit is due to all the backs, Kieran Kennedy, Shane Clayton, Cathal Flaherty (he had the job of marking Kevin McManamon), Brian Bobbett, Robbie McDaid and Darragh Nelson, who time and again foiled the Judes attacks and set up Boden counter attacks.

It is now on to a second county final in a row, this time against Ballymun Kickhams.

TEAM: Darragh Gogan, Kieran Kennedy, Cathal Flaherty, Brian Bobbett, Robbie McDaid, Darragh Nelson, Aran Waters, Declan O’Mahony, Darren O’Reilly, Warren Egan, Alan Flood, Conal Keaney, Ryan Basquel, Ross McGarry. SUBS USED: James Holland, Simon Lambert, Stephen O’Connor, Tom Hayes, Jake Turley. NOT USED: Donogh McCabe, Ciarán O’Reilly, Conor Dooley, Barra McGarry, Tom Hanifin, Josh Hayes, Shane Durkin, Bob Dwan.